According to the United States Constitution everyone has the right to be treated as innocent until proven guilty. This means that police, prosecutors and other law-enforcement officials must treat people as if they are innocent of the crime until a court of law has adjudicated them as guilty. This can sometimes be easier said than done. Especially when an individual in Oregon is charged with a sexual offense, the media and the public often form an immediate opinion on the matter. When this occurs, a person's rights can be threatened.
Recently, a man was arrested following accusations of rape. According to reports, a woman was riding her bike when she got a flat tire. Reports claim that the woman flagged down a man on a mountain bike. This man, police say, talked to the woman for a short time before threatening to kill her. After this, police claim that the man threatened the woman with a knife and took her to a wooded area.
Once in the wooded area, police claim that the man sexually assaulted the woman. Days after the alleged assault, the police arrested the 51-year-old man and accused him of these crimes. The man is already on parole for variety of other crimes in the state.
In this case, he has been charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree rape. The man will face a court appearance in April.
In cases like this one, individuals charged was serious sexual offenses can face serious penalties. These penalties can include jail or prison time and large fines. They may also include registration on the sex offender registry and other consequences. People who are facing these crimes need to make sure that they are treated fairly and that their constitutional rights are protected. People must develop a strong offense in order to ensure their rights are not violated.
Source: KOIN, "Parolee arrested for Springwater Corridor rape," Brent Weisberg, March 24, 2016
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