Memphis residents who have been accused of a sex crime such as rape know how serious the charge can be. The mere accusation of such an offense can ruin a person’s professional reputation and follow them around forever. Rape is a serious matter, and the public doesn’t tolerate anyone who has engaged in such behavior.
A Tennessee gym teacher has been arrested after being accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student. The woman who taught middle school gym was arrested last week and is now facing two charges of statutory rape by an authority figure. She is accused of having sex with the boy during the summer of 2014. Because of the investigation, she was placed on administrative leave and suspended from her job without pay.
Rape charges are serious for many reasons, including the fact that they can be career-ending. A statutory rape by an authority figure conviction can be a Class C felony in Tennessee and lead to prison time, fines, and being listed on the sex offender registry. With such strong penalties upon conviction, an individual who is facing rape charges may wish to speak with a legal professional skilled in criminal defense. Because these charges can have such a significant impact on a person’s professional life it is important to make sure his or her defense is strong. There are two sides to every story and a criminal defense attorney can make sure the defendant’s side is being heard.
The damage to a person’s reputation when being accused of rape can be insurmountable. However, a strong defense may allow a defendant to avoid the harshest penalties and allow him or her to return to as normal of a life as possible and as quickly as possible.
Source: The Tennessean, “Goodlettsville Middle PE teacher indicted on rape charges“, Stacey Barchenger, March 17, 2015