Continuing Course of Conduct with a Child lawyer Prince George’s County

Statutory Definition of the Offense

The charge is defined under Maryland Criminal Law Code, Section 3-315. A Continuing Course of Conduct with a Child is a felony sex crime. It involves three or more acts of sexual abuse over a period of 90 days or more. The victim must be under the age of 18 years. The acts can include various forms of contact and non-contact sexual abuse. This statute aims to prosecute persistent patterns of predatory behavior. The law treats this pattern more severely than isolated incidents.

The maximum penalty is 30 years of incarceration in a state prison. There is no mandatory minimum sentence prescribed by this statute. However, judges impose significant prison time upon conviction. The sentence often runs consecutively with penalties for other related charges. A conviction also mandates lifetime registration as a Tier III sex offender. This registration is public and has severe lifelong consequences.

What specific acts constitute the “course of conduct”?

The “course of conduct” requires at least three separate incidents of abuse. These incidents must occur over a minimum period of 90 days. The acts can include rape, sexual offense in any degree, or incest. They also include unnatural or perverted sexual practices. The abuse can be contact or non-contact, such as certain visual depictions. The prosecution must prove the pattern beyond a reasonable doubt.

How does Maryland law define a “child” for this charge?

Maryland law defines a “child” as any person under 18 years of age. The victim’s age is a critical element of the crime. The law does not require proof of force or lack of consent. The minor’s age alone establishes the unlawful nature of the acts. The relationship between the accused and the victim can impact the case. Familial relationships often lead to enhanced scrutiny and charges.

What is the difference between a single act and a continuing course?

A single act is charged as a separate sexual offense like rape or assault. A continuing course charge aggregates multiple acts into one pattern of abuse. This charge carries a heavier potential penalty than most single offenses. It demonstrates a sustained predatory intent to the court. Prosecutors file it to secure longer sentences and stronger jury appeals. Defending it requires dismantling the pattern alleged by the state.

The Insider Procedural Edge in Prince George’s County

Your case will be heard in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. The court address is 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. This is the sole venue for felony prosecutions in the county. The State’s Attorney’s Location for Prince George’s County prosecutes these cases aggressively. They have Dedicated units for sex crimes and crimes against children. Early intervention by a defense attorney is critical.

Procedural specifics for Prince George’s County are reviewed during a Consultation by appointment at our Prince George’s County Location. The filing fee for a criminal case in Circuit Court is set by state statute. The initial appearance is an arraignment where you enter a plea. A preliminary hearing may be held to determine probable cause. The discovery process involves extensive evidence review. Motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges are often filed pre-trial. Learn more about Virginia legal services.

The timeline from charge to trial can span many months. Complex cases involving child witnesses often face delays. The court’s docket is heavy, requiring strategic scheduling. Local prosecutors seek high bonds in these cases. They argue the defendant is a flight risk and a danger to the community. An experienced lawyer can argue for reasonable bond conditions.

What is the typical bond situation for this charge?

Bond is often set high or denied outright in these cases. Prosecutors request high secured bonds or no bond at all. They cite the serious nature of the charges and risk to the community. A defense attorney must present strong arguments for pretrial release. This includes ties to the community, employment, and lack of prior record. Securing bond is the first major battle in the case.

How long does a case like this take to resolve?

A case can take from nine months to over two years to resolve. The complexity of evidence extends the timeline. Child witness interviews and forensic reviews cause delays. Defense investigations into the allegations also require significant time. Most cases do not go to a full jury trial. They are resolved through negotiated plea agreements or dismissal motions.

Penalties & Defense Strategies

The most common penalty range is 10 to 20 years of active incarceration. Judges have wide discretion within the 30-year maximum. They consider the number of acts, the victim’s age, and the duration of abuse. Any sentence will include a period of supervised probation upon release. Lifetime sex offender registration is an automatic and non-negotiable consequence. This affects where you can live, work, and exist in society.

Offense	Penalty	Notes
Continuing Course of Conduct with a Child	Up to 30 years imprisonment	No mandatory minimum; lifetime sex offender registration.
Supervised Probation	Up to 5 years post-release	Strict conditions including no contact with minors.
Fines	Court discretion	Fines can be imposed also to incarceration.
Registration	Lifetime (Tier III)	Public registry, address verification every 90 days.

[Insider Insight] Prince George’s County prosecutors take a hard line on sex crimes involving children. They rarely offer favorable plea deals without a fight. Their strategy relies heavily on the testimony of the child victim. They use forensic interview focused practitioners from child advocacy centers. An effective defense must challenge the credibility and consistency of this testimony. It must also expose investigative biases or procedural errors.

What are the main defense strategies against this charge?

Attack the pattern by challenging the timeline or number of alleged acts. Discredit the child’s testimony through inconsistencies or improper interviewing techniques. File motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence or statements. Present alibi evidence for specific dates within the alleged period. Challenge the forensic evidence, or lack thereof, linking you to the crime. Argue for the exclusion of other alleged “bad acts” from trial.

Can a plea agreement avoid prison time?

It is highly unlikely to avoid all prison time in a convicted case. Prosecutors view these as the most serious offenses on the docket. A plea may reduce a 20-year exposure to a 10-year sentence. It may structure some time as suspended. The primary goal of negotiation is often damage control on sentence length. Lifetime registration cannot be plea bargained away under Maryland law. Learn more about criminal defense representation.

How does a conviction affect parental rights?

A conviction will almost certainly terminate your parental rights. The court will deem you an unfit parent due to the nature of the crime. You will lose custody, visitation, and any decision-making authority. This occurs through a separate family court proceeding. That proceeding uses the criminal conviction as conclusive evidence. Defending the criminal case is the only way to protect those rights.

Why Hire SRIS, P.C. for Your Defense

Attorney Bryan Block leads our defense team with over a decade of trial experience. He is a former law enforcement officer who understands prosecution tactics. His insight into how cases are built from the inside is invaluable. He knows how to find weaknesses in the state’s investigation. He has handled numerous serious felony cases in Maryland courts. His direct approach focuses on case facts, not legal theatrics.

SRIS, P.C. has a dedicated Location in Prince George’s County. Our team knows the local judges, prosecutors, and court procedures. We have achieved dismissals and favorable outcomes in complex cases. We conduct immediate and thorough investigations upon being retained. We hire reputable experienced attorneys in forensic interviewing and child psychology when needed. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial. This preparation forces the prosecution to evaluate their case honestly.

Our firm provides criminal defense representation across state lines. The “Advocacy Without Borders” approach means we mobilize resources where needed. We do not treat your case as a routine legal matter. We see it as a direct threat to your freedom and future. We respond with proportional force and strategic precision. You need a lawyer who fights without hesitation.

Localized FAQs for Prince George’s County

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Proximity, Call to Action & Disclaimer

Past results do not predict future outcomes.