Retained counsel sex offense defense

What a defense engagement actually consists of is rarely explained, and in this area the scope question matters more than usual, because a criminal allegation arrives attached to three or four other proceedings that a criminal engagement does not automatically cover. Being clear at the outset about what is included, what is not, and who handles the rest prevents the most common source of confusion later. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has practiced since 1997 and Mr. Sris is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey and New York. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747.

Table of Contents

The Stages of a Criminal Engagement

Pre-charge, where an investigation exists but no case does: preservation, communication with investigators, independent examination of digital material where appropriate, and in some circumstances presentation to a prosecutor before a charging decision.

Charged and pre-trial, which is where most of the work sits: obtaining and reviewing discovery, motion practice on suppression, admissibility and Experienced professional evidence, independent examination of forensic material, investigation of the defense account, and negotiation where it is appropriate.

Trial, where the case is tried. And post-disposition, where sentencing, registration determinations and any appeal or collateral question arise. Each stage has different intensity and different cost, and an engagement should say which of them it covers.

What a Criminal Engagement Does Not Automatically Include

This is the practical point of this page. A licensing board proceeding, a security clearance adjudication, a Title IX or campus process, an employment matter, a child protective appeal, a civil claim, an immigration consequence, an internal or canonical proceeding — none of these is part of a criminal defense engagement unless the engagement says so.

They run on shorter timetables and lower standards, and a person who assumes they are covered discovers otherwise at a point when a deadline has passed. Where the firm handles a parallel proceeding, that is stated in writing. Where it does not — immigration and canonical matters among them — a referral is made.

Fees and How They Are Structured

Criminal defense is not handled on a contingency basis; that arrangement is confined to civil matters and is prohibited in criminal cases. Engagements in this area are handled on a fee basis agreed in writing at the outset, and the agreement identifies the scope, what is included, and what happens if the matter moves to a stage the engagement did not cover.

Costs beyond fees are a real feature of these cases and are addressed at the start rather than as they arise: forensic examination of digital material, Experienced professional review of a forensic report, transcripts and investigation. Those are discussed candidly because they can be substantial.

What the Client Does

Preserves material rather than deleting it. Refrains from contacting the complainant or witnesses. Directs enquiries from employers, boards and institutions to counsel before answering. Provides a complete account, including the parts that are unhelpful, because a defense built on incomplete information fails at the worst moment.

The firm does not offer free consultations. An initial consultation is arranged by appointment and is confidential.

Collateral Consequences: Employment, Professional License, Security Clearance, Immigration

The proceedings that run alongside a criminal charge apply their own standards and reach their own conclusions. A professional licensing board can act on conduct that produced no conviction, applying a civil standard of proof rather than the criminal one. A security clearance adjudication examines conduct, candour and judgment, and a clearance can be suspended on an allegation alone. An employer may act under its own policies on its own timetable. For a person who is not a United States citizen, an offence in this category can carry immigration consequences that are severe and in some categories effectively automatic; immigration advice should be obtained alongside the criminal defense rather than after it. The firm does not advise on immigration matters and refers that question.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a criminal engagement cover my licensing board matter?

Not unless it says so. Licensing, clearance, campus, employment, child protective, civil and immigration proceedings are separate from criminal defense and are not automatically included. Where the firm handles a parallel proceeding that is stated in writing; where it does not, a referral is made.

Can this be handled on a contingency basis?

No. Contingency arrangements are confined to civil matters and are prohibited in criminal cases. Engagements here are on a fee basis agreed in writing at the outset, with the scope and the stages covered identified in the agreement.

What are the stages of a case?

Pre-charge, where preservation and investigator contact happen; charged and pre-trial, where discovery, motion practice and independent forensic examination sit; trial; and post-disposition, covering sentencing, registration determinations and appeal. Each differs in intensity and cost, and an engagement should say which it covers.

What costs arise beyond fees?

Forensic examination of digital material, Experienced professional review of forensic reports, transcripts and investigation. In cases of this kind those can be substantial, and they are discussed at the outset rather than raised as they arise.

What is expected of me as a client?

Preserve material rather than deleting it, avoid contact with the complainant or witnesses, direct enquiries from employers and boards to counsel before answering, and give a complete account including the unhelpful parts. A defense built on incomplete information fails at the worst possible moment.

Is the first consultation free?

No. The firm does not offer free consultations. An initial consultation is arranged by appointment and is confidential, and the fee basis is agreed in writing before any engagement begins.

About Mr. Sris

Mr. Sris is the owner and founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., which has practiced since 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey and New York. Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with the firm and handle matters alongside him.

Speak With Mr. Sris

A criminal engagement does not automatically cover the licensing, clearance and campus proceedings that arrive with it, and scope is agreed in writing. Request a consultation. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747. Consultations are by appointment.

Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading it or by contacting the firm. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris.