Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in New Orleans

What should you do first if you are accused?

The first thing to do is stay silent and get a lawyer. Many people hurt their own case in the first 48 hours by trying to explain, apologize or clear things up.

• Do not talk to police without a lawyer, even if you have not been charged and even if you believe you are innocent. Politely say you want to speak with an attorney.
• Do not contact the accuser, directly or through friends or family. Contact can be used against you and may violate a court order.
• Do not delete anything. Save texts, social media messages, emails, call logs and photos. Deleting messages can look like hiding evidence, and some of them may help you.
• Do not post about the situation online.
• Write down a timeline for your lawyer only: where you were, who you were with, and when.

If police have called you or you think charges may be coming, call (504) 905-8399 now. We answer 24 hours a day, and the consultation is free and confidential.

What sex crime charges do we defend?

We defend adults facing a range of sex offense charges in Orleans, Jefferson and surrounding parishes, including:

• Sexual battery. We examine the evidence, challenge claims about intent, and look for inconsistencies in the account.
• Statutory rape and age-related offenses. We investigate the facts of the relationship and the evidence about age.
• Indecent behavior with a juvenile. We review communications, context and timing to see whether the charge rests on misinterpretation or exaggeration.
• Solicitation and prostitution-related offenses. We look closely at sting operations, undercover tactics and whether your rights were respected.
• Online solicitation and digital content offenses. We analyze digital evidence, device access and whether the right person was identified.
• Failure to register. We review notices, deadlines and past compliance to find administrative errors or misunderstandings.

When the person accused is a minor, we handle the case through our juvenile defense practice. Some cases also come with assault or violent crime charges.

Why is a sex crime accusation so serious, even before trial?

A sex crime case can change your life long before a jury ever hears it. Police can make an arrest based on a sworn statement alone, without physical evidence.

Once arrested, release is not always quick. Louisiana generally gives people a right to bail before trial, but certain serious sex offenses are among the exceptions. Judges setting bail also weigh the seriousness of the charge and claimed danger to the community. That makes a strong, prepared bond hearing important. See our page on bail and bond hearings.

Meanwhile, the accusation itself can affect your job, your housing and your family. Custody and visitation can come into question. That is why we move quickly to protect your rights and your record from the start.

What consequences could a conviction bring?

A sex offense conviction in Louisiana can bring consequences that reach into every part of your life, well beyond any sentence the judge imposes.

• Prison time. Many sex offenses are felonies, and sentences can be long.
• Sex offender registration. Public registration is required for many offenses.
• Family consequences. A conviction, or even a pending charge, can affect custody and visitation.
• Housing and work limits. Registration and a conviction record can restrict where you live and the jobs you can hold.
• A permanent record. As explained below, most sex offense convictions cannot be expunged.

The penalty range depends on the exact statute charged, the ages of the people involved and any prior record. At your free consultation, we will go over the specific charge you are facing and what the law allows, so you know exactly where you stand.

Will I have to register as a sex offender?

A conviction for many sex offenses in Louisiana requires registration as a sex offender. Whether it applies, and for how long, depends on the specific offense of conviction.

Registration is public. It can limit where you live and work, require you to keep your information current with authorities, and follow you for many years or for life. Failing to meet registration rules is its own crime.

Because registration turns on the exact charge you are convicted of, the way a case is resolved matters enormously. A different charge, or a dismissal, can mean no registration at all. We weigh registration consequences in every decision, from motions to negotiations to trial. We will explain how the rules apply to your specific charge at your consultation.

Can a sex offense be expunged or set aside?

Usually not. Louisiana's expungement laws exclude most sex offense convictions, whether misdemeanor or felony.

• Misdemeanor sex offenses generally cannot be expunged under Article 977, with only limited exceptions.
• Felony sex offenses and offenses against minors are generally not eligible under Article 978.
• An Article 893 deferred sentence, which can lead to a set-aside and dismissal for some first felonies, is not available for sex offenses involving a victim under 17.

This is very different from many other charges, where a first offense can often be cleared later. It means the outcome of your case now is likely to be the record you live with. That is the strongest reason to fight from day one. If your case ends without a conviction, you may be able to expunge the arrest. Learn more on our expungement page.

How do we build a defense?

We build a defense by finding the facts the State left out. Sex crime cases often turn on credibility, timelines and digital records.

• Messages and records. We gather texts, social media, call logs, location data and other records that test the accuser's account.
• Timeline. We reconstruct where everyone was and when. Small inconsistencies can matter a great deal.
• Motive and context. Accusations sometimes arise from a breakup, a custody fight, revenge or a poorly investigated complaint. We look at what may have driven the accusation.
• Forensic evidence. We review any lab or medical findings and whether they really support the State's claims.
• Police conduct. We examine interviews, searches of phones and computers, and sting tactics for legal problems.

What happens if the case goes to trial?

If your case goes to trial, the State must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt, and any felony conviction requires a unanimous jury. Louisiana has required unanimous felony verdicts for offenses committed since 2019, and the U.S. Supreme Court made that the rule nationwide in Ramos v. Louisiana (2020).

Cases that must be punished at hard labor are tried to 12 jurors. Barry S. Ranshi has trial experience from both sides of the courtroom, including jury selection, examining witnesses and introducing evidence. He served as a first and second chair felony trial prosecutor in Orleans Parish.

Preparing for trial also strengthens your hand in negotiations. Prosecutors take a case more seriously when they know the defense is ready.

How we protect your privacy

We handle these cases quietly, respectfully and directly. We do not rush to judgment, and we do not leave you guessing about where you stand.

1. Review of charges and risks. We start with what you have been told, or what may be coming. You get honest input from day one.
2. Deep case investigation. We gather messages, records and timelines that challenge the prosecution's version of events.
3. Protection of your name and rights. We help you avoid self-incrimination, handle press inquiries if needed, and protect your identity where possible.
4. Resolution planning. Whether your case moves toward trial or another resolution, we build a plan focused on your record and future.

You can meet with us in person at our Kenner office or remotely. Call (504) 905-8399 any time, day or night, for a free and confidential consultation.