Sex Crime Attorney In Morgantown
Confidential Defense For Life-Changing Allegations
Being accused of a sex offense in West Virginia can change your life in a matter of hours. You may be worried about prison, sex offender registration, and what friends, family, or classmates will think. In this stressful moment, you need calm, informed guidance from a sex crime attorney in Morgantown who understands what is at stake.
At Rollo Law Offices, we defend people facing sex crime investigations and charges in this area. Our firm is led by Attorney Ed Rollo, who has nearly three decades of criminal defense experience and serves as a professor at the West Virginia University College of Law. This combination of courtroom practice and academic insight allows us to bring current legal knowledge and careful analysis to every case.
We know these situations are highly sensitive. We offer free, confidential consultations, 24/7 availability, and the option to meet virtually if you are more comfortable talking from home. When you contact us, you can expect clear answers, respectful treatment, and a focused discussion of your options.
Call (304) 449-3504 today to set up a consultation, or contact us online to learn more.
Why Choose Our Sex Crimes Defense
Sex offense cases are different from many other criminal charges. The evidence can involve digital messages, phones, or computers, and the allegations often turn on conflicting accounts about what happened in private. The social stigma is intense, and a conviction may affect every part of your life. You need a sex crimes attorney in Morgantown who treats these cases with the care and discretion they require.
We approach each sex crime case by taking time to understand you as a person. We listen to your side of the story without judgment and explain how the law views the allegations you are facing. Confidentiality is central to our work. We are careful about what we file in court, how we communicate, and how we protect your privacy throughout the process. Our firm is guided by Attorney Rollo’s long experience in practice and his role at the West Virginia University College of Law. That teaching role keeps him engaged with developing case law, evidentiary rules, and constitutional issues that often arise in sex offenses. When the law changes on issues like search and seizure, digital evidence, or witness credibility, we work to understand how those changes may apply to your defense.
Because we are based in Morgantown, we are familiar with how criminal matters move through Monongalia County courts. We understand local procedures, scheduling practices, and the expectations that courts and prosecutors typically have in these matters. Our goal is to use that knowledge to prepare you for hearings and to help you make informed decisions at each step. Allegations can arise at any time, including late at night, on weekends, or during a campus event. We maintain 24/7 availability so you can reach out when an arrest happens, when police want to talk to you, or when a family member is suddenly taken into custody. We also offer virtual consultations, which can be especially important in a close community where you may be worried about being seen at a criminal defense office.
If You Are Accused Or Investigated
Many people contact us before any formal charge is filed, often after a detective, school official, or campus office reaches out to ask questions. Others call after an arrest or first court appearance. Whether you are under investigation or already charged, what you do next can affect your case in important ways. Speaking with a sex crime defense attorney in Morgantown early can help you avoid missteps.
Police and investigators are trained to ask questions in a way that encourages people to talk. Anything you say, even if you believe it helps you, can later be taken out of context or used to support charges. You have the right to remain silent and to have an attorney with you during questioning. Choosing to wait until you have legal advice is not an admission of guilt; it is simply protecting yourself.
In many cases, the first court event will be an initial appearance or bond hearing. The court may consider conditions such as reporting requirements, travel limits, or no contact orders that could affect where you can live and whom you can speak to. We help clients understand these conditions and work to address problems that may come up in everyday life, such as contact with family members or shared housing.
If you are contacted about an allegation, some immediate steps can help protect your rights:
- Avoid discussing the situation with police or investigators until you have spoken with an attorney.
- Do not contact the person making the allegation, even to try to clear things up, and follow any orders you receive from the court.
- Preserve potential evidence, such as messages, emails, or social media records, without editing or deleting content.
- Write down what you remember as soon as possible, including dates, locations, and possible witnesses.
Reaching out to us does not obligate you to hire our firm. It gives you the chance to ask direct questions, understand the range of possible outcomes, and decide what representation makes sense for you. Call our office for a free, confidential consultation to review what is happening and what your options may be.
Sex Crime Charges & Consequences
Sex offense laws in West Virginia cover a wide range of conduct. People contact us about accusations of sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, offenses involving minors, and certain internet-related offenses that may involve images or online communications. Each type of charge carries its own set of elements that the state must try to prove and its own possible penalties.
Convictions for these offenses can bring lengthy jail or prison sentences, fines, and long periods of probation or supervised release. In many cases, they also involve sex offender registration requirements under West Virginia law. Registration can affect where you live, where you work, and what activities you may take part in, and it may last for many years.
Beyond the direct legal penalties, sex crime allegations often have serious personal and professional consequences. Students in Morgantown may face school discipline or loss of housing. Working adults may be suspended or let go from their jobs. Family relationships can come under strain, and questions can arise about child custody, visitation, or protective orders. Our practice includes criminal defense, family law, and civil litigation, so we are able to address related legal issues that sometimes arise from the same set of allegations.
No two sex offense cases are the same. Sentencing exposure depends on the specific charge, the person’s history, and the facts that the state claims to have. As your sex crime lawyer in Morgantown, we review the charges and evidence with you and discuss both the risks and the potential paths forward. In some matters, early legal advice can affect how the bond is set or how the case first enters the court system. In others, careful preparation is necessary to challenge the government’s version of events in court.
Our goal is to make sure you understand what the law says, what the realistic range of outcomes may be, and what steps we can take together to work toward the best possible result under your circumstances.
How A Morgantown Sex Crime Lawyer Helps
When you hire our firm, we begin with a thorough review of your situation. We talk with you about what happened from your perspective, go over any charging documents, and identify urgent concerns, such as upcoming hearings or conditions that affect your home or school life. If you are in custody, we work to arrange conversations as soon as reasonably possible.
We then examine the government’s evidence. Sex crime cases may involve digital communications, forensic reports, medical records, and witness statements. As a sex crime defense lawyer in Morgantown, your attorney looks for inconsistencies, gaps, and legal issues, including how evidence was obtained and whether your rights were respected. We also consider whether additional information, such as phone records or other witnesses, should be pursued. Pretrial work is often critical. This can include filing motions to challenge certain evidence, requesting hearings on constitutional issues, or negotiating with prosecutors. In some cases, we may be discussing possible plea agreements. In others, we may be preparing for trial and working on how to present the defense to a judge or jury.
Attorney Rollo’s continuing work as a law professor helps keep us connected to developments in criminal law and procedure. Changes in case law can affect how courts treat digital searches, confessions, and expert testimony. We strive to apply this evolving law to your benefit where appropriate, particularly in complex sex crimes defense matters. Throughout the case, communication is a priority. We explain what to expect at each stage, from preliminary hearings to pretrial conferences and potential trial dates. We answer questions about court appearances in Morgantown, what to wear, how to behave in front of the judge, and how to respond if you are approached about the case. Our aim is for you to feel prepared, not surprised, as your matter moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I talk to the police without a lawyer?
It is usually safer not to talk to the police until you have spoken with an attorney. Even honest answers can later be misunderstood or used against you. We can contact investigators for you, learn more about what they are looking at, and help you decide how to respond.
Will my case stay confidential if I call you?
Conversations with our office about legal advice are generally confidential. When you call, we discuss your situation privately and without judgment. We do not share your information outside the legal process unless required by law, and we work to handle sensitive matters as discreetly as possible.
Can a conviction require sex offender registration?
Many sex offense convictions in West Virginia carry sex offender registration requirements. The length and conditions depend on the specific crime and other factors. We explain how the registration laws apply to your charges and work to pursue strategies that may reduce or avoid those long-term consequences.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Costs depend on the complexity of your case and the work involved. We start with a free, confidential consultation so you can understand the issues and ask about fees. During that meeting, we explained our billing structure clearly so you can make an informed decision.
How does your local experience help my case?
Practicing in Morgantown gives us familiarity with how local courts and prosecutors often handle criminal charges. Attorney Rollo’s long-standing ties to the community and his role at the West Virginia University College of Law help us provide grounded, realistic guidance about what to expect in your case.
Talk To Our Defense Team Today
Sex crime allegations can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to protect your future, your reputation, and your family. You do not have to sort through this alone. Speaking with a knowledgeable sex crime defense attorney in Morgantown can help you understand where you stand and what you can do next.
At Rollo Law Offices, we bring nearly thirty years of criminal defense experience, an active teaching role at the West Virginia University College of Law, and a deep connection to the Morgantown community. We offer free, confidential consultations, are available 24/7, and can meet in person or virtually, depending on what works best for you.
If you or someone you care about is facing a sex offense investigation or charge, we encourage you to reach out so we can talk through your options and next steps. Call (304) 449-3504 now to speak with our team.