Due to the #MeToo movement and revelations about the criminal actions of some public figures, some types of crimes are receiving increased scrutiny. Accusations of sex crimes, such as sexual assault, are becoming more common, and offenders can face significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines. However, in some cases involving sex crimes, the accusations may come years after the crimes allegedly occurred, and the statute of limitations may have passed. The “statute of limitations” is a designated period of time in which an individual can bring legal action against another party. Recently, Illinois became the eighth state to remove the statute of limitations on sex crimes, and those who are facing these types of charges should be sure to understand how this change in the law may affect them.

No Time Limit to Report Sex Offenses

The new law, which will take effect beginning January 1, 2020, will allow alleged victims to come forward at any time to press charges against alleged abusers, and prosecutors will be able to pursue these charges. The law will remove the statute of limitations on felony sex crimes, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Being accused of a sex crime can greatly impact your life, regardless of the charge. Even if you are not convicted of the alleged charge, your criminal record is public information, and arrests or accusations can appear on a background check. A sex crime conviction can bring about many undesired consequences. Not only can you be sentenced to prison or probation or be ordered to pay steep fines, you will also face the judgment of the public and experience negative effects on your personal life and relationships, and you may even be required to register as a sex offender.

In the state of Illinois, the two major sex crimes are criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse. Though they are similar crimes, they have different consequences.

Some of the most serious and damaging crimes a person can be accused of are sex crimes. Sex crimes are taken very seriously by law enforcement and the courts. Convictions for certain sex crimes in Illinois require registration as a sex offender, which brings with it numerous restrictions and requirements. If you have been charged with a sex crime, it is imperative that you understand the ramifications a conviction could bring, and that you secure experienced legal representation immediately.

Who Must Register as a Sex Offender?

According to the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act, individuals convicted of a sex crime, found not guilty by reason of insanity, the subject of a finding not resulting in an acquittal, or adjudicated as being sexually dangerous or violent, are required to register as a sex offender. Common offenses that require sex offender registration include:

A former Illinois state representative has been charged with 12 felony counts after he allegedly posted nude photos of two different women without their consent. The man was said to have created fake social media accounts and used them to post the pictures, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Man’s Former Girlfriend Accused Him of Posting Photos

Back in August, the representative’s former girlfriend accused him of posting nude photos on a fake Instagram account. He initially attempted to refute the allegations, but because of the claims, he resigned from his position as a state representative. The 35-year-old turned himself in to authorities and was arrested on $30,000 bond. He posted the required 10 percent of his bond and was released from jail on the condition that he have no contact with the alleged victims and that he stay off social media. He is currently awaiting arraignment.

We have all heard the saying that “age is just a number,” or some similar sentiment. While that saying may be true for certain couples, when it comes to sexual relationships, age can become very important, and it can be the deciding factor as to whether or not you are committing a crime. Age of consent laws were enacted to prevent children and adolescents from being taken advantage of, and these laws differ from state to state. Violating age of consent laws can result in sex crime accusations, which should not be taken lightly, since they come with serious consequences.

What Is the Age of Consent in Illinois?

The age of consent refers to when the law determines that a person is able to consent to sexual acts. In Illinois, the age of consent is 17, meaning that if a child is under the age of 17, they cannot legally give their consent to a sexual act. If a child is 16 and willingly performs a sexual act with an adult, the other person can face criminal charges, because the 16-year-old is seen as not being mature enough to consent to such an act or not fully understanding the ramifications of such an act.

Charges for Violating the Age of Consent

While engaging in sexual activity with someone under the age of consent is commonly known as statutory rape, Illinois law does not use this term. There are a few different offenses you can be charged with if you engage in sexual acts with someone under the age of 17: