Virginia Beach Sex Crimes Lawyer
Sex Crime Charges Create Chaos. Invictus Law Creates Order
757-337-2500
A Sex Crimes Charge in Virginia Beach Demands Immediate Action
A sex crimes charge can upend your life overnight. Your job, your family, your reputation — all of it is at risk before a single court date is set. Virginia prosecutors treat these cases aggressively, and the penalties are severe. Prison time, heavy fines, and mandatory sex offender registration are all on the table.
Invictus Law defends clients facing sex crime charges across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and the broader Hampton Roads region. Every case is approached with the same standard — disciplined preparation, a clear strategy, and a defense built on the specific facts of your situation.
The choices you make right now matter. Evidence gets reviewed early. Witness accounts get locked in fast.
What You Are Up Against: Sex Crimes Charges in Virginia
Sex crimes in Virginia cover a broad range of charges — from sexual assault and rape to internet-based offenses and possession of prohibited materials. Each carries its own legal standard, penalties, and defense considerations. What they share is this: Virginia courts treat all of them seriously, and prosecutors pursue them hard.
A conviction can mean years in prison, significant fines, and mandatory placement on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. That registration follows you — affecting where you can live, where you can work, and how you move through daily life. In many cases, the damage begins well before any conviction. An accusation alone can cost you your job, strain your relationships, and isolate you from your community.
The legal process moves quickly after a charge. Evidence is gathered and reviewed. Witness statements are recorded. Every day without a defense strategy is a day the prosecution gets further ahead. Early intervention is not just advisable — it is critical.
Why the Facts of Your Case Are Everything
No two sex crime cases are the same. A sexual assault charge turns on different facts than an internet crimes accusation or a charge tied to prohibited materials. A defense that works in one case may be irrelevant in another. That is why cookie-cutter approaches fail — and why case-specific strategy matters.
The foundation of a strong defense often comes down to three things: consent, credibility, and procedure. Were proper legal standards followed during the investigation and arrest? Is the evidence reliable? Does the accuser’s account hold up under scrutiny? These are the questions that shape outcomes — and they require a team prepared to dig into every detail without assumption.
Sex Crime Cases
We Handle
Types of Sex Crime Cases We Handle
Child Pornography
Virginia aggressively prosecutes offenses involving the possession, distribution, production, or receipt of child sexual abuse material. These cases frequently involve extensive digital evidence, forensic examinations of computers and mobile devices, and both state and federal investigations. We carefully examine how electronic evidence was obtained, preserved, and analyzed while protecting our clients’ constitutional rights throughout the process.
Child Sexual Abuse
Allegations involving child sexual abuse are among the most serious criminal charges in Virginia. These cases often rely on forensic interviews, medical evidence, expert testimony, and witness credibility. Our attorneys conduct a detailed review of every aspect of the investigation while preparing a comprehensive defense strategy.
Carnal Knowledge of a Minor
Carnal knowledge charges generally involve allegations of sexual activity with a minor under circumstances defined by Virginia law. These cases may involve questions regarding age, consent, electronic communications, or witness testimony. We carefully evaluate both the legal and factual issues that may affect the prosecution’s case.
Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child
These charges often involve allegations of inappropriate communications, solicitation, or conduct involving a minor without physical contact. Because these cases frequently rely on text messages, social media communications, or internet activity, a detailed review of digital evidence is often essential.
Solicitation of a Minor
Solicitation cases frequently arise from online communications, undercover investigations, or internet sting operations. The prosecution must prove specific legal elements, and these investigations often involve complex constitutional and evidentiary issues. We examine every stage of the investigation for potential legal challenges.
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Individuals required to register under Virginia’s Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry must comply with strict reporting requirements. Alleged violations can result in new criminal charges and additional penalties. We help clients address allegations involving registration requirements, reporting obligations, and related compliance issues.
Indecent Exposure
Although often classified differently than many other sex offenses, an indecent exposure conviction can still carry serious legal and personal consequences. Our attorneys investigate the circumstances surrounding the allegation and evaluate whether the prosecution can prove every required element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sexual Assault & Rape
Sexual assault allegations can arise from a wide variety of factual circumstances and frequently involve disputes regarding consent, witness credibility, forensic evidence, and electronic communications. We conduct a thorough investigation of the evidence while protecting our clients’ constitutional rights throughout the criminal process.
Aggravated Sexual Battery
Aggravated sexual battery is a serious felony offense that may involve allegations concerning force, intimidation, age, physical helplessness, or mental incapacity. These cases often involve significant forensic evidence and expert testimony. We carefully examine every aspect of the prosecution’s evidence and prepare an aggressive defense.
Solicitation & Prostitution
Charges involving prostitution or solicitation may result from undercover police operations, online investigations, or allegations involving commercial sexual activity. We review the legality of the investigation, the evidence obtained, and whether law enforcement complied with constitutional requirements throughout the investigation.
Object Sexual Penetration
Object sexual penetration is one of Virginia’s most serious felony sex offenses and carries severe potential penalties. These prosecutions often involve forensic evidence, medical examinations, DNA testing, and expert witnesses. Our attorneys meticulously review every aspect of the government’s case while preparing a strong defense strategy.
Rape
A rape conviction can result in life-changing penalties, including lengthy incarceration and mandatory sex offender registration. Because these cases often depend on witness credibility, forensic evidence, digital communications, and medical findings, early intervention by an experienced defense attorney is critical. We prepare every rape case with the expectation that it may ultimately be decided at trial.
How Invictus Law Defends
Against Sex Crimes Charges
A sex crimes charge moves fast in Virginia. We move faster. From the moment you reach out, our team gets to work — taking control of your case and building a defense strategy grounded in the facts, not assumptions.
Every Piece of Evidence Gets Examined
We begin with a full review of the prosecution’s evidence. Our team carefully examines witness identifications, physical evidence, digital records, and investigative reports. We look for unreliable testimony, procedural errors, and gaps in the state’s case. Small inconsistencies can carry significant weight — and we pursue every one of them.
How Evidence Was Gathered Matters as Much as What It Shows
Police must follow strict legal standards during searches, seizures, and arrests. If those standards were not met — if a search was unlawful, if proper procedures were skipped, or if your rights were violated — Invictus Law moves to challenge or exclude that evidence. What the prosecution cannot use, they cannot build a case around.
Consent, Credibility, and Procedure Drive the Defense
These three factors lie at the core of most sex crimes defenses. Our team examines the accuser’s account for inconsistencies, evaluates the credibility of each witness, and assesses whether proper legal procedure was followed at every stage. Where the facts support a direct challenge, we make it clearly and without hesitation.
Your Case Gets Its Own Strategy
A sexual assault allegation requires a different approach than an internet-based charge or a possession case. The facts are different, and the legal strategy must reflect that. We build every defense from the ground up — tailored to your specific situation, charges, and goals.
Invictus Law prepares every case for the strongest possible outcome, whether that means trial or negotiation.
What Happens After a Sex Crimes Arrest in Virginia Beach
Sex crimes cases in Virginia follow a defined process. Each stage has its own deadlines and decisions — and a prepared defense team makes a difference at every one of them.
- Arrest and Initial Court Appearance: A bond hearing takes place within 24 to 72 hours before a Virginia Beach General District Court judge. The immediate priority is securing your release and minimizing any conditions that disrupt your daily life while the case proceeds.
- Probable Cause Review or Grand Jury: Felony charges proceed through a preliminary hearing or grand jury review to determine whether the case moves forward. We use this stage to examine the prosecution’s evidence and identify weaknesses early.
- Arraignment and Discovery: The case moves to the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. A formal plea is entered, and the prosecution discloses its full evidence. Our lawyers examine every piece of that disclosure for inconsistencies, gaps, and procedural failures.
- Pre-Trial Motions: Where grounds exist, we file motions to suppress evidence, exclude unreliable testimony, or challenge how the investigation was conducted. A successful motion can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case before trial begins.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to jury trial or resolve through negotiation. Every decision at this stage — including whether to accept any offer — is made strategically, based on a full review of the evidence and your goals.
Why Choose Invictus Law for Your Sex Crime Matter?
Strategic, Trial-Ready Representation
Every case is developed with trial preparation in mind. Thorough preparation often creates stronger opportunities for negotiations while ensuring we are ready to aggressively defend you in court when necessary.
Team-Based Advocacy
Rather than relying on a single attorney, our attorneys and legal staff collaborate throughout your representation. This process-driven approach ensures your case receives consistent attention from an experienced legal team.
Clear Communication
We believe clients should understand both the legal process and the strategy behind every important decision. Our team provides regular updates and responsive communication throughout your case.
Experience in Hampton Roads Courts
We regularly represent clients throughout Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads courts. Understanding local procedures, prosecutors, and court practices helps us develop effective defense strategies.
Protecting More Than Your Criminal Case
A conviction can affect your career, education, military service, professional licensing, immigration status, and future opportunities. We work to identify these collateral consequences early and incorporate them into your defense strategy.
What Makes Invictus Law Different
Decades of Combined Trial Experience
Our attorneys bring decades of combined trial experience in state, federal, and military courts. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court.
Backgrounds as Prosecutors and JAG Officers
Our team includes former prosecutors who understand how the state builds cases. Attorney Eric Leckie also served as a Marine Corps JAG officer and military prosecutor. This experience helps us anticipate strategy and identify weaknesses early.
Local Experience Across Hampton Roads Courts
We represent clients in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. Our regular presence in local courts gives us familiarity with procedures, judges, and prosecutors in the region.
Recognized Professional Standing
Our attorneys have been recognized by organizations such as The National Trial Lawyers, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and Avvo. These honors reflect professional achievement and peer recognition in criminal defense.
Built on Discipline and Focus
Invictus Law was founded on United States Marine Corps values. That approach emphasizes discipline, preparation, and clear strategy in every case we handle. We follow a proven, process-driven approach that emphasizes early case analysis, strategic planning, thorough preparation, and consistent communication. Every client benefits from a collaborative legal team working toward the same objective—achieving the strongest possible outcome.
Our Attorneys
Each of our attorneys brings unique experience and perspective to the firm. Together, they collaborate on strategy, share ideas, and leverage one another’s strengths to help clients achieve the best possible outcome.
Rather than working in isolation, our attorneys regularly discuss complex legal issues, evaluate strategy, and draw upon one another’s courtroom experience. That means every client benefits from the collective knowledge of the firm—not just the experience of the attorney assigned to the case.
Eric Leckie
Founding Attorney. Marine Corps JAG. Former Prosecutor.
Founder of Invictus Law and a former United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate with over 23 years of trial experience in federal criminal defense, military law, and security clearance matters.
Shemeka Hankins
Former Prosecutor, Decorated Trial Attorney & Fearless Criminal Defense Lawyer
Partner. Former Prosecutor with the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney's Office, recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Virginia State Bar Local Bar Leader of the Year.
Yolanda Beasley
Family Law and Trial Attorney. Certified Guardian ad Litem.
Virginia Beach native and certified Guardian ad Litem recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023, 2024) and National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
Reviews & Results
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Virginia Beach Sex Crimes Lawyer Do?
A sex crimes lawyer reviews the prosecution’s evidence, examines how it was gathered, and identifies errors or rights violations that can be challenged. The defense is built around the specific facts of your case — not a generic template.
What Happens After a Sex Crimes Arrest in Virginia Beach?
A bond hearing takes place within 24 to 72 hours before a Virginia Beach General District Court judge. From there, felony cases move through a probable cause review, then arraignment and discovery in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. Pre-trial motions may follow. The full process can take several months.
Can Evidence Be Challenged in a Virginia Beach Sex Crimes Case?
Yes. If police failed to follow proper legal standards during a search or arrest, that evidence may be challenged or excluded. Witness identifications and forensic materials can also be disputed. These challenges are often central to the defense.
What Are the Consequences of a Sex Crimes Conviction in Virginia?
A conviction can mean prison time, heavy fines, and mandatory placement on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry — affecting where you live and work. In many cases, the damage begins before any conviction. An accusation alone can impact your job and reputation.
Does a Sex Crimes Charge Always Go to Trial?
Not always. Some cases resolve through negotiation. Others proceed to a jury trial in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, where the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The right path depends on the evidence, the risks, and your goals.
Legal Insights
