Pittsburgh Sex Crime Lawyer

Charged with a Sex Crime in Allegheny County?

Few things in life are as earth-shattering as being accused of a sex crime in Pittsburgh. From the moment the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police or Allegheny County detectives begin investigating, every aspect of your life is under scrutiny. Even if you are innocent, prosecutors may try to make you look guilty.

When you find yourself in this troubling situation, you need the help of a Pittsburgh sex crime lawyer who knows the local courts and prosecutors. The attorneys at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC have decades of experience defending clients in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and surrounding areas, and are ready to help you. Your best chance to exonerate yourself is to work with attorneys who can use their knowledge, skills, and experience to work for you.

To learn more about Pennsylvania sex crimes and how our defense attorneys can help, call (412) 281-2146 to schedule your free consultation.

Sex Crime Defense in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Statewide

At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, we defend clients facing sex crime allegations from our office in downtown Pittsburgh. While our law firm covers cases across Pennsylvania, most of our work is right here in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. From Mt. Lebanon and Bethel Park to Monroeville and Cranberry Township, we regularly appear in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and understand how local prosecutors and judges approach these cases.

Pittsburgh Sex Crime Laws & Sexual Offenses

At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, our Pittsburgh sex crime lawyers defend clients against all types of charges — from misdemeanors like indecent exposure to serious felonies like rape or child pornography. While Pennsylvania law defines these crimes statewide, your case will almost always be handled locally in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas or surrounding Western Pennsylvania courts. Knowing how local judges and prosecutors approach these cases is critical to building a strong defense.

Rape (18 Pa. Code § 3121)

Rape in Pennsylvania occurs when sexual intercourse is forced upon a victim, including situations involving threats of force, victim unconsciousness, impairment via substances, or mental disability preventing consent.

Classified as a first-degree felony, the severity of rape charges necessitates legal representation from a specialized sex crime defense attorney. If you are accused of rape in Pittsburgh, your case will likely be prosecuted in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Local prosecutors are known for pursuing these charges aggressively, which makes it critical to have an experienced Pittsburgh rape defense lawyer on your side.

Convictions in Allegheny County can carry long prison sentences and lifetime sex offender registration. Our sex crime defense attorneys regularly challenge evidence collected by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and have defended clients against rape charges in both jury trials and pre-trial negotiations.

Learn more about Rape Charges in Pittsburgh

Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (18 Pa. Code § 3123)

Under Pennsylvania law, IDSI charges apply to forced deviant sexual intercourse, including scenarios where the victim is threatened, unconscious, impaired, mentally disabled, under 16 (with the accused being 4+ years older), and not a spouse.

This is also a first-degree felony with serious penalties. In Pittsburgh, IDSI cases are often charged alongside other offenses, and our lawyers know how to challenge overcharging by Allegheny County prosecutors.

Learn More about IDSI in Pennsylvania 

Sexual Assault (18 Pa. Code § 3124.1)

Sexual assault in PA includes sexual intercourse or deviant sexual intercourse without consent, categorized as a second-degree felony when it doesn’t fully meet rape or IDSI criteria.

Learn More about Sexual Assault in Pittsburgh

Indecent Assault (18 Pa. Code § 3126)

18 Pa. Code § 3126 involves unwanted indecent contact, including force, substance impairment, or when the victim is under 13 (or under 16 and the accused is 4+ years older), potentially resulting in misdemeanor or felony charges. Even misdemeanor-level indecent assault cases in Allegheny County can create permanent registry issues if not handled correctly.

Learn More about Indecent Assault Charges in Pittsburgh

Indecent Exposure (18 Pa. Code § 3127)

Exposing genitals in public or to alarm others is generally a second-degree misdemeanor, according to 18 Pa. Code § 3127, escalating to a first-degree misdemeanor if minors under 16 are present. We frequently represent clients in Pittsburgh Municipal Court charged with indecent exposure after arrests in public places like South Side bars or downtown events.

Learn More about Indenct Exposure Allegations

Child Pornography (18 Pa. Code § 6321(d)

According to 18 Pa. Code § 6321(d), it is a felony offense to view or possess images depicting minors under 18 in sexual acts. These cases are often investigated by state task forces but prosecuted locally in Allegheny County courts. Our team has handled Pittsburgh-area child pornography cases involving both computer forensic evidence and mistaken identity from shared devices.

Learn More about Child Porn Charges in PA

Unlawful Contact with a Minor (18 Pa. Code § 6318)

Contacting a minor for sex in PA equates to a third-degree felony, with penalties increasing for creating or distributing child pornography. Many of these cases start with internet stings run by law enforcement in the Pittsburgh region. Our defense strategies often focus on entrapment or the reliability of digital evidence gathered by undercover officers.

Learn More about Unlawful Contact with a Minor

Prostitution & Solicitation (18 Pa. Code § 5902)

Engaging in or hiring for sexual activities as a business is illegal. Penalties for prostitution and solicitation in PA range from a third-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, especially if the individual involved has HIV.

In Pittsburgh, these charges often result from undercover police operations in areas like the Strip District or South Side. Even a misdemeanor conviction can have serious consequences for employment and reputation.

Learn More about Solicitation Charges

Obscene Materials (18 Pa. Code § 5903)

Creating, displaying, selling, or distributing obscene materials, especially to minors, can lead to charges ranging from first-degree misdemeanor to third-degree felony. These charges are less common but still prosecuted in Allegheny County courts when they arise. Having a local defense attorney who knows how to challenge the state’s case is essential.

Learn More about Obscene Material Charges

Incest (18 Pa. Code § 4302)

18 Pa. Code § 4302 makes engaging in sexual relationships with close blood relatives a second-degree felony.

Learn More about Incest Allegations in PA

Penalties for a Sex Crime Conviction in Pittsburgh

Not all sex crimes are classified as felonies, but even a misdemeanor charge in Allegheny County can result in jail time, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record. Sentences are typically handed down in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, where judges are known for taking these cases seriously — especially when minors are involved. Even if the law allows probation, many Pittsburgh judges impose stricter penalties, which makes a strong, locally informed defense essential.

Unless the statute allows explicitly for enhanced sentences, sex crimes in Pennsylvania are punished by:

• Third-degree misdemeanor– Maximum of one year in jail and fines up to $2,000.
• Second-degree misdemeanor– Up to two years in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000.
• First-degree misdemeanor– Jail for up to five years, and fines reaching $10,000.
• Third-degree felony– Maximum of seven years imprisonment and a fine up to $15,000.
• Second-degree felony– Prison time for up to 10 years and a fine reaching $25,000.
• First-degree felony– Up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000.

Enhanced Penalties for Rape Convictions

Rape is one of the sex crimes that specifically calls for harsher punishments when certain factors exist in your case. Suppose you are convicted of rape during which you substantially impaired the victim’s consent through administering alcohol or drugs. In that case, you can be sentenced to an additional 10 years and fined another $100,000. Rape of a child causing serious bodily injury may result in a life sentence.

Whether facing a few years in prison or a life sentence, you deserve the strongest defense possible. Contact the sex crime lawyers at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, to learn more.

Registering As a Sex Offender In PA

According to Pennsylvania law, anyone convicted of a sex crime must register with the state’s Sex Offender Registry and update their information regularly. All your personal information, including your name, home address, work address, and photo, will be available to the public if you register. Failing to register as a sex offender can lead to additional consequences. In Pittsburgh, registration issues are tracked and enforced by local law enforcement. Failing to update your information in Allegheny County can result in an immediate warrant and new felony charges.

Learn More about Sex Offender Registration in PA

Consequences of a PA Sex Crime Conviction

Being convicted of a sexual offense in Pennsylvania carries significant life impacts beyond jail time or fines. Here’s how it can affect various aspects of life:

• Employment: Finding a job can be difficult. Convictions often emerge during background checks, leading to potential job ineligibility, hiring rejections, and loss of professional licenses, limiting career opportunities.
• Housing & Education: Applying for college, renting, or securing loans can be hindered by background checks. Landlords, schools, and banks may deny applications due to the conviction. Restrictions may also limit living near schools, parks, or in certain community homes.
• Immigration: A conviction can threaten your stay in the U.S., risking deportation or entry bans, and may also affect your status in your home country.
• Family: Custody and visitation rights might be revoked, impacting family dynamics and relationships.
• Social Standing: The public nature of sex offender registries can damage reputations and interpersonal relationships, making it challenging to form new connections or maintain existing ones.

Defending Against Sex Crime Charges

Facing sex crime charges in Pittsburgh can feel overwhelming, but there are several defense strategies our attorneys have successfully used in Allegheny County cases. Whether it’s challenging the credibility of evidence gathered by local law enforcement, questioning the accuracy of DNA testing at the Allegheny County Crime Lab, or presenting expert testimony, our lawyers know how to fight for you in the local courts. Below are some common defenses to accusations of a sex crime:

Both Parties Gave Consent

This argues the sexual activity was agreed upon by all parties involved. It’s particularly relevant when the accused and the alleged victim had a prior relationship.

However, in Pennsylvania, this defense doesn’t apply if the alleged victim was under 16. Proof of consent can include communications like emails or texts and witness accounts of the relationship.

Lack of DNA Evidence

This can link an offender to a crime scene or victim, but it’s not infallible. Defense attorneys can challenge the methods used in collecting, handling, and analyzing DNA samples.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Often, the accused may be wrongfully identified. Defense attorneys can present an alibi for their client or question the victim’s reliability to accurately identify the perpetrator.

The Victim Made False Allegations

Sometimes, accusations are baseless or misdirected. Defense tactics might involve demonstrating the lack of evidence, proving the accused’s absence from the crime scene, or identifying the perpetrator.

Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, understand the complexities and challenges of defending yourself against sex crime accusations. The defenses our attorneys may use depend on many factors, and we can develop any number of defenses that can give you the best chance at clearing your name. We’ll also use pre-trial strategies like suppressive motions or discovery motions.

Contact us for more information on how we can advocate for you.

Why Choose Worgul, Sarna & Ness?

Our attorneys bring a wealth of experience and prior success in assisting people with serious sexual offense allegations and charges. Our Pittsburgh sex crime defense law firm is recognized for:

• Skill & Proven Results in Allegheny County Sex Crime Cases
• Exhaustive Independent Investigations & Tailored Strategies
• Client-Focused Representation & Comprehensive Advocacy
• Statewide Availability & Ongoing Legal Support

Our Sex Crime Lawyers Are Here to Help

If you’re facing sex crime charges in Pennsylvania or are accused of something that may result in a sex offense, you need a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Fortunately, at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we handle sex offense cases across the state and craft effective defenses to protect your reputation, rights, and freedom.

Don’t wait to protect yourself. Call (412) 281-2146 or submit a request 24/7 for a free consultation. An experienced sex crime lawyer in Pennsylvania will explain your options and what comes next.

Areas Served Throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

Based in downtown Pittsburgh, PA, our sex crime defense attorneys assist clients throughout the Pittsburgh area.

We Defend Clients Across Pittsburgh & Allegheny County

Sex Crime Defense in Pittsburgh’s Surrounding Communities

Many of our clients come from suburbs just outside the city. Whether your case arises in Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Cranberry Township, or Wexford, we are prepared to fight for you in courts across the region.

Statewide Sex Crime Defense

While our primary office is located in Pittsburgh, we also represent clients across Pennsylvania. With additional offices in Butler, Beaver, Greensburg, and Washington, our attorneys are available to defend sex crime cases statewide, including in major cities such as Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Erie, Allentown, Reading, Lancaster, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and York.