A sex crime accusation can destroy your reputation, your relationships, and your freedom — often before a single fact has been proven in court. The social stigma is severe, the legal penalties are steep, and Ohio's sex offender registration requirements can follow you for decades or a lifetime. If you are under investigation or have been charged, you need experienced, trial-tested counsel immediately.
Moran & Fisher, Attorneys at Law, LLC has defended clients against Ohio's most serious sex crime charges, including rape cases that carried potential life sentences — and won acquittals.
The Sex Crime Charges We Defend
Ohio law covers a wide range of sex offenses. The most serious carry felony-level penalties and mandatory sex offender registration under Ohio's SORN (Sex Offender Registration and Notification) law:
Rape (O.R.C. § 2907.02) — The most serious sex offense in Ohio. Involves sexual conduct compelled by force or threat, or involving a victim who is impaired, unconscious, or below the age of consent. A first-degree felony; prison terms can be lengthy, and certain rape convictions carry a mandatory life sentence. [TODO: confirm current life-sentence trigger criteria for attorney review]
Sexual Battery (O.R.C. § 2907.03) — Sexual conduct under circumstances where the offender knows the victim's ability to consent is compromised — such as by a position of authority, a relationship of trust, or impairment. A third-degree felony in most circumstances, with penalties escalating based on victim age.
Gross Sexual Imposition (GSI) (O.R.C. § 2907.05) — Sexual contact (not full sexual conduct) under force, threat, or impairment. A fourth- or third-degree felony depending on circumstances, including victim age.
Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor (O.R.C. § 2907.04) — Sexual conduct with a person between 13 and 16 when the offender is 18 or older. A felony of the first, second, third, or fourth degree depending on the age differential.
Importuning / Solicitation of a Minor — Soliciting a person under 16 to engage in sexual activity. Carries felony-level exposure, particularly when electronic communications are involved.
Internet Sex Crimes / CSAM — Federal and state charges related to possession, distribution, or production of child sexual abuse material. These are prosecuted aggressively and carry severe mandatory minimums. [TODO: confirm specific federal/state statutory citations for attorney review]
What's at Stake
Sex crime convictions in Ohio carry mandatory sex offender registration — Tier I, II, or III — with registration periods ranging from 10 years to life. Tier III offenders must register every 90 days for life and face community notification. You may be barred from living or working near schools, parks, and other protected areas. Beyond the legal penalties, the consequences to your family, employment, and standing in the community are immediate and lasting.
How Moran & Fisher Defends Sex Crime Cases
Sex crime cases often turn on credibility, electronic evidence, and the reliability of the accuser's account. We examine every element of the prosecution's case:
Challenging the evidence. We scrutinize the forensic evidence — or the absence of it — along with how the investigation was conducted and whether your constitutional rights were observed. Attorney Moran has significant experience writing and successfully arguing motions to suppress evidence obtained through wrongful police conduct.
Defending against false accusations. Not every accusation is truthful. We take the time to understand the full circumstances — including potential motives for a false report, inconsistencies in the complaining witness's account, and the context the prosecution may prefer to leave out.
Trial-tested defense. Our attorneys have tried over 100 jury trials in Cuyahoga County courts and across Northeast Ohio. In sex crime cases specifically, our firm has won acquittals in rape cases where the charges carried potential life sentences.
Appellate backstop. With over 500 appeals written and argued — including matters before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit — we are positioned to protect your rights at every level.
Why Moran & Fisher
Sex crime charges demand a defense attorney who has handled these cases before in the same courts where yours will be tried. Moran & Fisher is a boutique firm — you work directly with your attorney, not a case manager. Attorney Moran is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell (peer and judicial rating) and is widely recognized by Cleveland lawyers as one of the city's most respected courthouse defense attorneys.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.