Your Trial Attorneys
Sex Crime Attorney in New Bern
Defending Sex Offense Charges in Craven County Since 1994
A sex crime accusation puts your freedom, reputation, and livelihood at risk from the moment charges are filed. At Chesnutt & Clemmons, we’ve handled criminal defense matters since 1994, and our attorneys bring over a century of combined legal experience to every case. Our New Bern office serves clients throughout Craven County, including Havelock, as well as Pamlico County, with appointments available in Carteret County.
We hold the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available, and our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. If you’re facing sex crime allegations, time matters.
Contact our firm today at (252) 300-0133 to speak with a sex crime attorney in New Bern about your situation.
Sex Offense Charges Under North Carolina Law
North Carolina defines rape and related offenses in Chapter 14, Article 7B of the General Statutes. These charges carry serious felony classifications with significant sentencing consequences.
Charges our clients commonly face include:
- First-Degree Forcible Rape & First-Degree Forcible Sexual Offense: Each classified as a Class B1 felony, the second-most serious felony tier in North Carolina
- Second-Degree Forcible Sexual Offense: A Class C felony, also carrying substantial prison exposure
- Statutory Rape or Statutory Sexual Offense with a Child Under 13: A Class B1 felony with a mandatory minimum active sentence of 300 months when the defendant is 18 or older; consent is not a defense to these charges under North Carolina law
- Sexual Battery: A Class A1 misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor classification under North Carolina law
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor: A felony offense involving the production, distribution, or possession of material depicting minors in sexual situations
There is no statute of limitations for felony criminal charges in North Carolina, which means allegations can surface years after the events in question. Thorough investigation and early legal representation are essential for that reason.
Why Clients Choose Chesnutt & Clemmons for Sex Crime Defense
These cases often turn on witness credibility and forensic or digital evidence rather than straightforward physical proof. That’s where our investigative approach matters. We conduct in-depth case investigations and draw on our local network of contacts and resources to build a strong defense based on the facts of each client’s case.
Founding attorney Marcus W. Chesnutt has been named among the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers. Our litigators don’t avoid trial when going to trial is the right path for a client. We also have bilingual staff, including Spanish speakers, so we can serve clients from both English- and Spanish-speaking backgrounds.
Sex Offender Registration Consequences in North Carolina
A conviction on a qualifying sex offense triggers registration requirements that extend well beyond any prison sentence. Understanding what’s at stake is part of understanding why a strong defense matters from the start.
- Standard Registration: North Carolina generally requires 30 years of sex offender registration, calculated from the date of initial county registration
- 10-Year Petition Option: Registered individuals may petition the superior court to terminate registration after 10 years, though this option isn’t available to everyone
- Lifetime Registration: Sexually violent predators, aggravated offenders, and recidivists are subject to lifetime registration and aren’t eligible for the standard termination petition
- Residency Restrictions: Registered sex offenders in North Carolina may not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of a school or child care center
- Registration Violations: Failing to comply with North Carolina’s sex offender registration requirements is itself a felony offense
How We Build a Defense Against Sex Crime Allegations
Sex crime cases frequently come down to credibility disputes. Witness accounts, electronic communications, forensic reports, and the timeline of events can all be contested. Our attorneys examine the full record, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s theory, and develop strategies tailored to the specific facts of each case.
We pursue every available avenue, from pre-trial negotiations to courtroom litigation, applying the same diligence to negotiated resolutions as we do to trial. A sex crime lawyer in New Bern from our team can review your charges, advise you on your options, and pursue the most favorable outcome the facts may allow.
Five-Star Client Reviews
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"I found everyone in the office to be pleasant and friendly and sympathetic."Cindy S.
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"They helped me with a traffic citation which saved me $$$ with my insurance."Robert M.
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"Marc Chesnutt did a fantastic job with my traffic citation... this is my go-to firm."Paul J.
Thorough, Responsive Counsel When the Stakes Are This High
Sex crime allegations carry personal, professional, and social consequences that can feel overwhelming before any verdict is reached. Clients who have worked with Chesnutt & Clemmons describe our attorneys as thorough, communicative, and committed to first-class counsel throughout their cases. We take the trust our clients place in us seriously and work to keep them informed at every stage.
Speak with a Sex Crime Lawyer in New Bern
If you or someone you care about is facing sex crime allegations in the New Bern area, don’t wait to get legal counsel involved. The earlier our attorneys can begin investigating, the more options may be available. You can reach Chesnutt & Clemmons by phone, email, text, or chat through our website.
We offer a consultation to discuss your charges and what defense strategies may apply to your situation. Our firm serves clients in Craven, Pamlico, and Carteret counties from our New Bern office.
Call Chesnutt & Clemmons now at (252) 300-0133 to speak confidentially with a sex crime attorney in New Bern.