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Alabama Sexual Abuse Lawyers: Advocating for Victims of Birmingham Sexual Assault and Sex Abuse in AL

Greg Zarzaur AL and MS Lawyer
Greg Zarzaur - Birmingham, AL Abuse Guardian

Hi - I’m Greg. I am an experienced attorney licensed to practice law in Alabama and Mississippi. I am an advocate for ways to help end human trafficking and child sex abuse while helping victims obtain justice. My team and I are ready to help you.

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Representing Survivors of Sexual Misconduct in Alabama

Abuse Guardians, an influential national coalition comprised of attorneys committed to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, proudly announces the appointment of Greg Zarzaur from Zarzaur Law Firm as the esteemed Abuse Guardian for the state of Alabama. This significant appointment underscores Greg Zarzaur's exceptional experience, resolute commitment, and extensive history of championing the rights of survivors.

At the heart of Abuse Guardians lies an exceptional alliance of legal professionals, united by their mission to provide specialized representation for survivors of sexual abuse. Through a meticulous and comprehensive selection process, the organization ensures that only the most empathetic and dedicated attorneys are welcomed into its fold. The selection committee of Abuse Guardians undertakes a rigorous evaluation of each candidate, carefully scrutinizing their track record, legal proficiency, and demonstrated passion for pursuing justice on behalf of survivors. This thorough assessment process guarantees that survivors in need receive the highest quality of legal representation and steadfast support, embodying the core principles that define Abuse Guardians.

"Our alliance has over 15 sexual abuse lawyers nationwide dedicated to helping survivors get justice" 
- Greg Zarzaur

Meet Our Experienced Alabama Sexual Abuse Attorney

Greg Zarzaur, Esq.
Sexual Abuse Attorney

Zarzaur Law Firm
2332 2nd Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203

Birmingham Sexual Abuse and Assault: A Growing Concern

If you or a loved one recently became the victim of a sexual crime, you may be struggling with difficult questions like:

  • Will the person responsible go to prison?
  • What if the court fails to convict?
  • Can third parties be held liable for enabling the abuse?
  • How can a victims' rights lawyer help?

We understand the painful difficulties your family is facing and we know how to help. Our legal team offers free, confidential case evaluations with our experienced Alabama sexual abuse attorneys; schedule your appointment today.

Alabama Sexual Abuse Lawyer: Compassionate Advocacy for Victims

Is your family looking for accountability, justice, and financial support after you or a loved one has become the victim of sexual assault or child sexual abuse?

You may be wondering how the Alabama criminal justice system may handle the prosecution of the sexual predator responsible for the crime. We've summarized Alabama's criminal sexual assault statutes below, which can give you a rough idea of how much time your offender may face. But these laws do change, so you may need to discuss the details of your case with an experienced victims' rights lawyer.

Confidentially Discussing Your Sexual Abuse Civil Case in Alabama

From Huntsville and Birmingham to Montgomery and Mobile, crimes of a sexual nature are taken seriously by Alabama police departments. Huntsville, Alabama is home to the National Children's Advocacy Center, one of the nation's leading non-profits devoted to ending the scourge of sexual abuse of children.

However, these criminal investigations don’t always prioritize the needs of victims. Instead, the criminal justice system focuses on punishing offenders. If you or a loved one has recently become a victim of sexual assault or child sexual abuse, it’s important to protect your legal rights.

Our experienced sexual assault lawyers in Alabama can help you hold responsible any parties who may have allowed your assault to occur because of negligence. To find out more about how you can get all the support you need during this difficult time, contact us today for a free consultation.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault in Birmingham, there are services available to help. You are not alone. To access counseling and immediate sexual assault response services, reach out to the Birmingham Crisis Center. Through their network of trained professionals, the Crisis Center offers 24 / 7 counseling to survivors of sexual assault and child sexual abuse. To speak with a counselor now, call (205) 323-7273.

Alabama Sexual Assault Lawyers: Understanding Your Legal Rights

If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted or abused, you may be wondering how your state’s sex crime laws might apply to your case. We’ve briefly summarized all of Alabama’s child molestation, sexual assault and child sexual abuse laws below.

While criminal prosecution is an important part of the healing process for many victims, it’s important to remember that criminal courts are focused on punishment. In order to hold all negligent parties responsible and ensure you get the support you need, it may be necessary to speak with a civil Alabama sexual assault victims’ lawyer.

Child Sexual Abuse Laws

Alabama has several laws on the books that specifically apply to sexual crimes committed against children.

Electronic Solicitation Of A Child

Electronic solicitation of a child is a Class B felony in Alabama, punishable by no less than two years and no more than 20 years in prison. Anyone who uses electronic means to knowingly attempt to persuade a child to engage in sexual activity can be found guilty of this crime. This includes the use of computers, the Internet, cell phones, video game systems, cameras, and any other electronic communication or storage device. This law can also be enforced as a statutory charge in cases where the minor consented to the solicitation but was younger than Alabama’s Age of Consent (16 years old).

Enticing Child To Enter Vehicle, House, Etc., For Immoral Purposes

Alabama has a law that specifically prohibits adults from enticing, persuading, inviting, or attempting to entice, persuade, or invite a minor into any vehicle, room, house, office, or another setting for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. This is a Class C felony and is punishable by no less than one year and one day and no more than 10 years in prison.

Facilitating Solicitation Of Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Child

Anyone who facilitates unlawful sexual conduct with a child through the dissemination of the child’s name, telephone number, place of residence, geographical locational, physical characteristics, or any other identifying information is guilty of a Class C felony under Alabama law. This crime is punishable by at least one year and one day in prison, with a maximum sentence of 10 years.

School Employee Engaging In Sexual Activity With A Minor Student

In Alabama, it’s illegal for a school employee to engage in sexual contact with any student under 19 years of age – even if the sexual activity is consensual. This crime is classified as a Class B felony and punishable by no less than two years and no more than 20 years in prison.

Sexual Abuse

Alabama classifies sexual abuse into two categories:

  • First-degree – First-degree sexual abuse applies in situations where someone forces sexual contact against the victim’s will or engages in sexual contact with someone who is unable to consent because they’re physically helpless or mentally incapacitated. Sexual abuse in the first degree is a Class C felony, punishable by no less than one year and one day and no more than 10 years in prison.
  • Second degree – A person can be charged with sexual abuse in the second degree if he or she subjects someone else to unconsented sexual contact when the reason for the inability to consent is something other than being under the age of consent. This charge also applies to cases when someone 19 years old or older subjects someone to sexual activity who is under 16 but older than 12 years old. This crime is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $6,000. If it’s a second offense within one year, the charge is bumped up to a Class C felony punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Transmitting Obscene Material To A Child By Computer

Anyone who uses a computer to transmit obscene material to a child is guilty of a Class B felony in Alabama – punishable by 2-20 years in prison. This applies to transmissions that either originate or are received in Alabama and include all types of sexual content. Anyone charged with this crime will be tried as an adult regardless of their age, and the records for these cases are not sealed or subject to expungement.

Sexual Assault Laws

Alabama has separate laws for handling sexual crimes committed against adults. We’ve briefly summarized these sexual assault laws below:

Rape

In Alabama, rape cases are broken down into either the first or second degree:

  • First-degree rape – Someone can be charged with rape in the first degree if they engage in sexual intercourse by the use of force, with someone who is incapable of consent because they’re physically helpless or mentally incapacitated, or if he or she is 16 years or older and engages in sexual intercourse with someone who is less than 12 years old. First-degree rape is a Class A felony punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of a life sentence.
  • Second-degree rape – Second-degree rape charges apply to cases in which someone 16 years or older engages in consensual sexual intercourse with someone less than 16 and more than 12 years old. There also must be at least a 2-year age difference between the two parties. Someone can also be charged with second-degree rape if the other person is incapable of consent because of mental disabilities. This crime is a Class B felony and punishable by 2-20 years in prison.

Incest

It’s illegal to knowingly marry or engage in sexual intercourse with someone you know to be, either legitimately or illegitimately:

  1. An ancestor or descendant by blood or adoption;
  2. A brother or sister of whole or half-blood or by adoption;
  3. A stepchild or stepparent while the marriage creating the relationship still exists;
  4. Aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces – both whole or half-blood relatives

Alabama classifies incest as a Class C felony, punishable by a minimum of one year and one day in prison and a maximum of 10 years.

Sexual Misconduct

Someone may be charged with sexual misconduct in any of the following scenarios:

  1. A male engages in sexual intercourse with a female without her consent, or with her consent where the consent was obtained by some form of fraud or artifice.
  2. A female engages in sexual intercourse with a male without his consent
  3. He or she engages in deviant sexual intercourse with another person, even if it’s consensual.

Sexual misconduct is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of up to $6,000.

The Importance of Filing a Civil Claim for Sexual Abuse in Alabama

Pursuing justice for survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault in Birmingham, Alabama, is paramount. Here's why:

  1. Survivor Empowerment: For survivors of sexual abuse and assault, engaging a compassionate sexual assault lawyer in Birmingham can mark the beginning of their healing journey. It offers them a proactive way to seek redress and helps them reclaim a sense of control.
  2. Financial Recompense: Sexual abuse often results in both emotional trauma and tangible costs—medical expenses, therapy, and sometimes lost wages. With the aid of a personal injury attorney specializing in Alabama sexual abuse cases, victims can seek compensation to address these burdens.
  3. Raising Awareness: Filing a claim in civil court, especially in high-profile areas like Birmingham, shines a light on both individual perpetrators and potentially negligent institutions. This heightened awareness can protect others in the community.
  4. Accountability of Institutions: Sometimes, entities like schools, religious establishments, or businesses may inadvertently create environments where abuse flourishes. By taking legal action with a dedicated Alabama sexual assault attorney, survivors can compel these institutions to adopt stricter protective measures.
  5. Statutory Timeframes: Each state, including Alabama, has its statutes of limitations for sexual abuse cases. By seeking a free consultation with a sexual abuse attorney promptly, survivors ensure they don't miss the window to file their claim.
  6. Closure and Healing: Though the scars of sexual assault may never fully fade, securing a legal victory in Birmingham, with the support of a compassionate law firm, can offer survivors some semblance of closure.
  7. Encouraging Others: When one survivor steps forward, it can inspire others to do the same. An experienced Birmingham sexual abuse lawyer not only advocates for one client but potentially paves the way for other victims.
  8. Legal Precedence: Successful cases in the civil court can complement criminal cases. Even if an offender isn't found guilty in a criminal court, a civil claim can still hold them accountable for their actions.

In Alabama, particularly in Birmingham, reaching out to a dedicated law firm like Zarzaur Law Firm is a critical step for survivors of sexual contact crimes, from incest to statutory offenses. Remember, while a criminal case can penalize the perpetrator, only a civil case led by a skilled personal injury lawyer can offer the compensation and personal justice that survivors deserve.

Speak With Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today in a Free Consultation - Protect Your Rights

At Zarzaur Law Firm, we deeply understand the profound impact and emotional scars that sexual abuse can leave behind. As your dedicated sexual abuse lawyer in Birmingham, AL, we are committed to offering compassionate, diligent representation for survivors in their pursuit of justice. Our team is experienced in navigating Alabama's legal intricacies surrounding these sensitive cases, always prioritizing the well-being and voices of survivors. If you or a loved one has endured such a traumatic experience, trust us to be your advocates, guiding you every step of the way. Reach out today for a confidential consultation, and let us help you reclaim your power and seek the justice you rightfully deserve.

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The content on this specific page is approved content by Greg Zarzaur, Esq.. The Abuse Guardian website portrays an alliance of attorneys across the United States who dedicate their professional careers to representing survivors of sexual abuse and helping them get justice. This website is to be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Past settlement and verdict values are no guarantee of similar future outcomes. Abuse Guardian is not a law firm. Abuse Guardian has a team of survivor advocates who can help connect sexual abuse survivors to members of the Abuse Guardian alliance for free legal consultations. By submitting a form on this page your information will be sent to Greg Zarzaur, Esq. and his staff for evaluation. By submitting a form, you give permission for Greg Zarzaur, Esq. and his law firm to communicate with you regarding your submission. Your information is strictly confidential and will not be sold to third parties. See our Terms of service for more information.

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