Actor Clifton Powell, who you may recognize from the hit movies Ray, Menace II Society and two of the "Friday" films, is currently being sued by a woman claiming that the actor raped her in a hotel room last August. The plaintiff in the case claims that she agreed to have sex with Powell but, when things turned rough, she told him to stop. The plaintiff alleged that Powell refused to stop and instead sexually assaulted her. Powell emphatically denies the allegations.
Sexual assault cases are almost always "He said, She said" cases. It is a rare case where there is physical evidence to separate a consensual sexual encounter from a non-consensual one. As a result, in most instances, the entire case hinges on whether the victim is believed. There are a wide variety of reasons that a person might make up a false allegation of sexual assault. In many cases involving false allegations, the accuser might be looking for money. This motive is particularly common when the accused is a successful professional or businessperson, a politician, or a celebrity. In other case, the accuser might be looking for revenge, such as with a spurned wife or lover.
Whatever the motivation of the accuser, being charged with Rape or Sexual Assault is extremely serious. A conviction for Rape (or Sexual Assault) can result in a sentence of Life in prison and mandatory sex offender registration. Even a mere accusation of Rape or Sexual Assault can, in many cases, have a significant negative impact on the accused's personal and professional reputation.
If you or someone you know is charged with sexual assault, it is critical that you contact an experienced and knowledgeable Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer. The Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys at Brown Law Offices can assist you by analyzing the facts of your case, identifying applicable defenses and providing you with the most aggressive representation possible to protect your legal rights.