Indecent Assault And Battery
The crime of indecent assault and battery is essentially an assault and battery where the touching involves an indecent act. An indecent act is one that is fundamentally offensive to contemporary standards of decency, most often involving touching portions of the anatomy commonly thought private.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 13H punishes the crime of indecent assault and battery by imprisonment in the House of Corrections for up to 2.5 years, or to state prison for up to 5 years in state prison.
In order to prove indecent assault and battery, the prosecutor must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt:
- That the alleged victim was at least 14 years of age at the time of the alleged offense
- That the defendant committed an assault and battery on the alleged victim
- That the assault and battery was indecent
- That the alleged victim did not consent
A conviction for the crime of indecent assault and battery would also render the defendant subject to sex offender registration; require him/her to submit a DNA sample to the state’s DNA database; could result in a term of community parole supervision for life to be imposed; and may serve as a predicate sexual offense for civil commitment as a sexually dangerous person.
Boston criminal defense lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis has experience in defending persons accused of sex crimes, and is available 24/7 for consultation to help explain and defend your legal rights.
To schedule a free consultation with a Boston sex crimes lawyer, contact the firm online or call 617-657-2333.