A sex offense allegation can change your life. In Pennsylvania, a single interview, warrant, or charge may lead to a prison sentence and years of sex-offender registration. Our Washington County criminal defense lawyers can help you understand what’s ahead, protect your rights, and build a defense.
If you’re under investigation or have already been charged, call 724-399-3491 for a confidential consultation.
What is a Sex Crime in Washington County?
The term “sex crimes” covers a wide spectrum of charges. These range from misdemeanor indecent exposure to serious felonies like rape and aggravated indecent assault.
We’ve outlined the common offense levels and their maximum penalties under Pennsylvania law. The numbers below are the statutory maximums. Actual sentencing depends on the facts of your case and your criminal record.
Pennsylvania Sex Offense Definitions
- Rape (18 Pa.C.S. § 3121): Sexual intercourse by force, threat, or when the complainant cannot consent.
- Sexual Assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.1): Intercourse without consent in situations not meeting the statutory elements of rape or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
- Aggravated Indecent Assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 3125): Penetration of genitals or anus under specific circumstances (incapacity, force, minor victim, etc.).
- Indecent Assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 3126): Indecent contact without consent, by compulsion, or involving minors.
- Indecent Exposure (18 Pa.C.S. § 3127): Exposing genitals under circumstances likely to offend or alarm.
- Unlawful Contact with a Minor (18 Pa.C.S. § 6318): Reaching out to a minor (or a law-enforcement decoy posing as a minor) for sexual purposes.
- Sexual Abuse of Children / Child Pornography (18 Pa.C.S. § 6312): Possession, distribution, or production of sexual depictions of minors.
- Failure to Comply with Registration (18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.1): Missing verification or updates after a qualifying conviction can be charged as a separate felony.
H3: Washington County Sex Crime Penalties
Rape
- Statute: 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121
- Typical Grade: Felony 1 (F1)
- Statutory Maximum Penalty: Up to 20 years
- Notes: Long-term sex offender registration required
Sexual Assault
- Statute: 18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.1
- Typical Grade: Felony 2 (F2)
- Statutory Maximum Penalty: Up to 10 years
- Notes: Often litigated around issues of consent
Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Statute: 18 Pa.C.S. § 3125
- Typical Grade: Felony 2 (F2) or Felony 1 (F1)
- Statutory Maximum Penalty: Up to 10–20 years
- Notes: “Penetration, however slight” can be a key factor
Indecent Assault
- Statute: 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126
- Typical Grade: Misdemeanor 2 (M2) up to Felony 3 (F3)
- Statutory Maximum Penalty: Up to 1–7 years
- Notes: Grading depends heavily on subsection and case facts
Indecent Exposure
- Statute: 18 Pa.C.S. § 3127
- Typical Grade: Misdemeanor 2 (M2) or Misdemeanor 1 (M1)
- Statutory Maximum Penalty: Up to 2–5 years
- Notes: Elevated to M1 if minors are present
Unlawful Contact with a Minor
- Statute: 18 Pa.C.S. § 6318
- Typical Grade: Varies
- Statutory Maximum Penalty: Tracks the underlying offense
- Notes: Enhancements apply if the alleged victim is under 13
Sexual Abuse of Children
- Statute: 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312
- Typical Grade: Felony 3 (F3) or higher
- Statutory Maximum Penalty: Up to 7–10 years per count
- Notes: Often used in child pornography prosecutions
Early strategy can reduce counts, shift grading, or affect guidelines.
Sex-Offender Registration in Pennsylvania (Megan’s Law / SORNA)
Many Pennsylvania sex-offense convictions trigger registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The Pennsylvania State Police create, maintain, and publish the statewide registry for people who live, work, or attend school in PA.
Who Has to Register & For How Long
Pennsylvania uses two systems based on when the offense occurred:
- Subchapter H (post-Dec. 20, 2012): Offenses are placed into Tier I, II, or III. Tier I = 15 years, Tier II = 25 years, Tier III = lifetime.
- Subchapter I (primarily pre-Dec. 20, 2012): Certain offenses require 10-year or lifetime registration under older rules.
How Often You Must Appear in Person
Registrants must verify information in person at Pennsylvania State Police approved sites:
Tier I
- Duration: 15 years
- In-Person Verification: Annually
Tier II
- Duration: 25 years
- In-Person Verification: Twice per year (semiannual)
Tier III
- Duration: Lifetime
- In-Person Verification: Quarterly
Sexually Violent Predator (SVP)
- Duration: Lifetime
- In-Person Verification: Quarterly
Transient / Homeless
- Duration: While transient
- In-Person Verification: Monthly
Knowingly failing to register, verify, be photographed, or provide accurate information can be prosecuted as a felony. Grading and penalties vary by registration level and prior history.
What Appears on the Public Website
The public Megan’s Law site displays registry information as a public-safety tool and is updated according to statutory timelines. The listing typically includes your name, photograph, address, offense, tier classification, and length of registration, along with other identifying details such as date of birth or physical description.
This information is searchable by the public, and failure to comply with registration can be prosecuted as a felony.
Community Notification for Sexually Violent Predators
In Washington County, people classified as Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs) face stricter rules than other registrants. In addition to lifetime registration and quarterly in-person check-ins, SVPs are subject to active community notification.
Law enforcement agencies may notify neighbors, schools, daycare centers, and community organizations near the SVP’s residence about their status. This goes beyond the public Megan’s Law website and ensures that the community is directly informed.
The Washington County Court Process
Sex cases often start with a report, a forensic interview, or an online sting. Police might invite you to “tell your side.” You are not required to interview without a lawyer.
We step in immediately to protect your rights, handle police contact, and keep you from making statements that can be used against you.
Arrest, Bail & Your First Hearing (Magisterial District Judge)
If arrested or charged, you’ll appear before a Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) for preliminary arraignment and bail. MDJs in Washington County handle warrants, bail conditions, and preliminary hearings.
We advocate for reasonable bail and conditions, helping you avoid unnecessary jail time while your case moves forward.
Preliminary Hearing
During the preliminary hearing the Commonwealth must show a prima facie case (basic evidence that a crime occurred and you likely committed it).
We challenge weak or unreliable evidence and cross-examine witnesses to limit what moves forward to trial.
Formal Arraignment & Pre-Trial
If your case is “held for court,” it moves to the Court of Common Pleas in downtown Washington (1 S. Main St., Suite 2004; 724-228-6700).
We file motions, fight to suppress unlawful evidence, and push for dismissals before trial when possible.
Plea Negotiations & Trial
Not every case goes to trial. Strong motions practice, evidentiary weaknesses, and mitigation can lead to reductions or dismissals.
We negotiate strategically to secure the best possible plea agreement, but if trial becomes necessary, we’re ready to fight for you in court.
Sentencing, Registration & SVP
If convicted, the judge applies Pennsylvania’s sentencing guidelines. Qualifying convictions trigger registration, and some cases move to SVP hearings.
We argue for reduced sentences, fight unnecessary registration requirements, and present mitigating evidence to limit long-term consequences.
Washington County Courts, Resources & Contacts
Washington County Courthouse
Address: 1 S. Main St., Suite 2004, Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-228-6700
Website: Washington County Courts
Clerk of Courts
Address: 1 S. Main St., Suite 1005, Washington, PA 15301
Phone:724-228-6787
Website: Washington County Clerk of Courts
District Attorney
Address: 26 S. Main St., Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-228-6790
Website: Washington County District Attorney
Washington County Correctional Facility
Address: 100 W. Cherry Ave., Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-228-6845
Website: Washington County Correctional Facility
Pennsylvania State Police Troop B — Washington
Address: 150 State Route 519, Eighty Four, PA 15330
Phone: 724-223-5200
Website: Pennsylvania State Police Troop B
Public Defender
Address: 95 W. Beau St., Suite 500, Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-228-6818
Website: Washington County Public Defender
Magisterial District Judges Directory — Countywide directory of all MDJs in Washington County
Website: Washington County MDJ Directory
We appear in these courts regularly and understand local procedures.
How We Build a Defense in Washington County Sex Cases
We gather the full story from you, then line it up against what the Commonwealth claims. Our team collects messages, call logs, location data, and third-party statements to confirm timelines and expose gaps or contradictions. When needed, we subpoena records and use investigators to verify details.
Identification Reliability (Is there any doubt that you were the perpetrator?)
We examine how you were identified—photo arrays, show-ups, or social-media screenshots—and look for suggestive procedures that can taint reliability. If identification methods were flawed, we move to exclude them or reduce their weight. We use experts to explain memory and perception issues.
Police Interviews (Were Your Rights Violated?)
Police often invite “just a quick chat” that turns into recorded statements. We review every word, body-cam clip, and report to spot leading questions, promises, or pressure tactics. If your rights were violated or Miranda wasn’t honored, we move to keep those statements out.
Witness Statements (Are They Consistent or Contradictory?)
We compare statements across interviews, texts, and testimony to expose gaps, shifts, and motives to lie or exaggerate. Prior inconsistent statements and bias can undermine credibility. Where appropriate, we use timelines, phone records, and third-party witnesses to challenge the story.
Expert Testimony (Does the Science Hold Up in Court?)
Not all “experts” or methods are created equal. We test credentials, methodology, assumptions, and error rates to see if opinions are reliable and relevant. If the science doesn’t meet accepted standards, we challenge it and work to limit or exclude it.
Search & Seizure (Was the Evidence Legally Collected?)
Digital searches must follow strict rules on warrants, scope, and particularity. We scrutinize how phones, laptops, and cloud data were seized and handled, and whether officers stayed within the warrant’s limits. Unlawful searches or broken chains of custody become grounds to suppress evidence.
Delay in Reporting (Does Timing Undermine Credibility?)
Significant gaps between the alleged event and the report can affect memory, context, and corroboration. We analyze timelines against texts, GPS pings, app logs, and work or school records. Where delay creates doubt, we use it to challenge reliability.
Motions Practice (Can Key Evidence Be Suppressed?)
Pre-trial motions are where many sex cases are won. We target illegal stops, defective warrants, involuntary statements, unreliable identifications, and prejudicial “other acts” evidence. The goal is simple: narrow the case before it reaches a jury.
Mental Health Factors (Do They Change the Case?)
Mental health issues can sway a jury or call testimonies into question. If the Commonwealth relies on claims about memory, perception, or capacity, we evaluate those assertions with records and qualified experts. For our clients, we develop mitigation and treatment plans that can influence charging decisions and outcomes.
Plea Options (Can We Negotiate a Better Outcome?)
Not every case should go to trial. We leverage evidentiary weaknesses, mitigation, and legal defenses to negotiate the most favorable plea agreement possible. We aim to reduce charges, limit jail exposure, and, where the law allows, avoid registration.
Integrated Defense Strategy (Is There Any Doubt That You’re Guilty?)
Good defense doesn’t rely on one tactic. Instead, we create multiple points of doubt in sequence. We align forensic challenges, witness credibility attacks, suppression motions, and negotiation strategy around your objectives, updating the plan as new evidence emerges. The result is a focused, aggressive defense built for Washington County courts.
Why Choose Worgul Sarna & Ness for a Sex Crimes Case in Washington County?
• Local experience: We appear regularly in Washington County courts.
• Relentless defense: We challenge the evidence from every angle to protect your future.
• Clear communication: We give you plain-English explanations of the law.
• Client-Focused: We help you navigate bail, protect your family, and keep matters private.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Crimes in Washington County
Does a conviction mean sex offender registration?
Not always. Registration depends on the statute and subsection of your charge. Some offenses require no registration, while others trigger Tier I (15 years), Tier II (25 years), or Tier III (lifetime) under Pennsylvania’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Contact us to learn more.
What is an SVP hearing?
An SVP (Sexually Violent Predator) hearing happens after a qualifying conviction and a Sexual Offenders Assessment Board (SOAB) evaluation. The judge makes the final call on whether the SVP label applies. A lawyer can prepare you for the evaluation, challenge the SOAB’s methods and conclusions, and present counter-evidence to prevent an SVP designation.
Can charges be reduced or dismissed?
Yes. Reductions or dismissals can result from successful motions (suppressing statements or searches), credibility problems, gaps in timelines, weak forensics, or charges that don’t match the statute. We identify those leverage points early and use them to narrow or resolve the case.
Do I need a lawyer if police “just want to talk”?
Yes. “Informal” conversations create statements the Commonwealth can use against you, even if you’re just trying to be helpful. We can step in to handle all communication, assert your rights, and prevent misunderstandings. If an interview occurs, we prepare you and control the conditions.
Where will my first hearing be?
Most cases start before a local Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) in the district where the alleged conduct occurred. You’ll typically have a preliminary arraignment and bail set there, followed by a preliminary hearing. We appear with you, address bail conditions, and use the MDJ stage to test the evidence and protect your position early.
Talk to a Washington County Sex Crimes Lawyer at Worgul, Sarna & Ness
If you’re facing a sex offense in Washington County, don’t wait to start building your defense. Call 724-399-3491 or send us a confidential message. Our sex crimes lawyers will review your situation and outline your best next steps.
