Sexual Assault Attorney In Hampton

Serious Charges Need Focused Defense

Facing a sexual assault accusation can change your life in an instant. You may be worried about jail, sex offender registration, your career, and what your family will think. In this moment, you need clear information and an experienced legal advocate, not more fear or confusion.

Law Office of Shawn M. Cline, PC is a dedicated criminal defense firm serving Hampton and the wider Hampton Roads community. We represent both civilians and military personnel who are under investigation or formally charged with sexual offenses. Our goal is to step between you and the power of the government and to guide you through every stage of the process. Attorney Shawn M. Cline has more than 20 years of experience in criminal law and previously served as an active duty Judge Advocate General's Corps officer. This combination of civilian and military justice experience allows us to handle complex sexual assault cases with careful strategy and attention to detail.

Call (757) 209-2328 today to set up a consultation, or contact us online to learn more.

Why Your Choice Of Lawyer Matters

Sexual assault charges are different from many other criminal cases. The stakes are higher, the emotions are stronger, and public perception can feel stacked against you from the start. A conviction can bring prison, long-term supervision, and mandatory registration, which affect where you live and work.

In this environment, the lawyer you choose can shape how your case is investigated, presented, and ultimately resolved. At our firm, we do not treat sexual assault allegations as routine. We take time to understand the specific facts, relationships, and background that led to the accusation. Our approach is to build a defense plan that reflects your circumstances, not a template.

Attorney Shawn M. Cline brings extensive courtroom experience from more than two decades in criminal law. His prior service as a Judge Advocate General's Corps officer gives him a practical understanding of how investigations unfold, how prosecutors think, and how evidence is tested in both military and civilian courts. For clients in Hampton, this means you have a sexual assault defense lawyer in Hampton who understands the realities of both systems.

When we take a case, we work to protect what matters most to you. That can include your freedom, your record, your military career, your professional license, or your family relationships. We will be honest about the risks and options, and we will stand beside you as we move through each step together.

If You Are Accused Of Sexual Assault

Many people contact us at the very beginning of a case. They may have received a call from a Hampton police detective, a visit from NCIS or CID at a local installation, or notice of an upcoming interview or interrogation. Others reach out after an arrest or after learning there is an active investigation.

In those first hours and days, it can be tempting to try to explain everything to investigators or to your command in the hope that cooperation will make the matter go away. In reality, anything you say can be used against you, and once a statement is made, it cannot be taken back. Speaking without legal advice can seriously limit your options later.

If you are under investigation or have been charged, these steps can help protect you:

• Avoid talking about the allegations with police, investigators, or your chain of command without first consulting a lawyer.
• Do not contact the complaining witness or ask others to contact them about the case or to influence their statement.
• Preserve potential evidence, such as messages, emails, social media posts, and phone records, and avoid deleting anything related to the events.
• Follow any existing protective orders or command directives, even if you disagree with them, and let us address them through proper channels.
• Reach out promptly to our office to schedule a confidential consultation so we can review what is happening and discuss your options.

We understand that clients in Hampton and the surrounding area often have both civilian and military concerns at the same time. When you contact us, we will listen first. Then we will explain where your case likely sits in the process, what to expect next, and how a sexual assault lawyer in Hampton can begin protecting your rights immediately.

How We Defend Sexual Assault Charges

Every sexual assault case is built on specific facts, people, and timelines. Our role is to test the accusations, hold the government to its burden of proof, and present your side of the story in a clear and credible way. We approach defense work in a structured yet personalized way.

We start by reviewing available information, which can include police reports, charging documents, recorded statements, electronic communications, and physical evidence. We pay careful attention to details such as when and how the complaint was made, whether stories have changed over time, and whether other witnesses or records support or contradict the allegations.

In many cases, key questions involve consent, credibility, and motive. We look at the nature of the relationship between you and the complaining witness, the circumstances leading up to the alleged incident, and any outside factors that might influence what is being claimed. These might include misunderstandings, pressure from others, or fear of consequences unrelated to you.

For some clients, mistaken identity or unreliable identification procedures may be central issues. For others, digital records or location data can play a significant role. We work to identify where the evidence may be incomplete, inconsistent, or subject to challenge, and we discuss those issues with you as we develop a plan.

For service members in Hampton Roads, accusations can involve Article 120 or related provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Attorney Cline’s former JAG experience allows us to navigate command investigations, Article 32 proceedings, and courts-martial while keeping an eye on parallel or potential civilian charges. We understand how military culture, rank structure, and command expectations can influence these cases.

Throughout the defense process, we work closely with you. We discuss strategy options, from challenging probable cause and evidentiary issues to preparing for trial when appropriate. We also consider collateral consequences, such as registration requirements, security clearances, and professional licenses. We aim to build a defense that is thorough and realistic, grounded in the evidence and in our experience as a sexual assault attorney Hampton can rely on for straightforward advice.

What To Expect In Hampton Sexual Assault Cases

Uncertainty about what happens next is one of the hardest parts of facing sexual assault charges. While every case is different, there are common stages that many clients in Hampton experience. Understanding these steps can help reduce some of the anxiety you may be feeling.

When state charges are involved, cases are typically filed in the appropriate Virginia court that serves Hampton and the surrounding communities. You may first appear for an arraignment, where you are informed of the charges and conditions of release. Protective orders, no-contact conditions, or restrictions on where you can live or work may be part of this process. Court schedules and specific procedures depend on factors such as the level of the charge and the judge assigned.

For service members stationed in Hampton Roads, allegations can trigger both civilian and military responses. Command may initiate an investigation, restrict your duties, or impose conditions such as no-contact orders or off-limits areas. Depending on the facts and decisions by command authorities, matters may proceed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, in civilian court, or both. We work to help you understand how these tracks interact and what each step could mean for your career.

Potential consequences of a conviction in a sexual assault case can include incarceration, supervision, and mandatory registration. For military members, additional outcomes may involve discharge, loss of rank, and impact on retirement or benefits. We cannot promise specific results, but we can explain the range of possibilities and the factors that courts and commands often consider, such as prior history and the strength of the evidence.

From the beginning of our relationship, we will focus on communication. We keep you informed about court dates, deadlines, and developments, and we take time to answer questions in plain language. Our clients in Hampton and throughout Hampton Roads deserve to know what is happening in their case and why. We work to make sure you are not left in the dark about critical decisions that affect your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I talk to the police before hiring a lawyer?

It is usually safer to speak with a lawyer before talking to the police. Anything you say can be used in court, and you may not know which details are important. We can help you decide whether to give a statement and how to protect your rights if investigators contact you.

How can your firm help if I am in the military?

We can help by drawing on Attorney Cline’s former JAG experience to advise you on both UCMJ and civilian issues. We work to protect your rights during command investigations, administrative actions, and courts-martial, and we carefully consider how each step may affect your career and benefits.

Will anyone find out that I contacted your office?

Our consultations are confidential. We treat your call and the information you share with discretion. We understand how sensitive sexual assault allegations are, and we do not contact others about your situation without your knowledge as we work together on a plan for your defense.

What happens at the first meeting with your lawyer?

At the first meeting, we listen to your account of what happened and review any paperwork or notices you have received. We explain the basic legal process, discuss possible next steps, and answer your immediate questions. Our goal is to give you a clearer picture of where things stand.

Can you represent me in both civilian and military proceedings?

In many situations, we can assist with matters that involve both civilian courts and military proceedings. We help you understand how these processes may overlap, and we work to coordinate a defense strategy that addresses the risks in each system and the impact on your life in Hampton Roads.

Talk To A Hampton Defense Lawyer

If you are facing a sexual assault allegation, you do not have to face it alone. Early legal guidance can affect how evidence is gathered, how decisions are made, and how much control you have over what comes next. Reaching out for help is a positive step toward protecting yourself.

At Law Office of Shawn M. Cline, PC, we bring more than two decades of criminal defense experience and a strong background in military justice to the people we represent. We take time to understand your goals and concerns, and we work to build a focused plan for your defense. A sexual assault defense lawyer in Hampton can rely on should offer both legal skill and honest communication, and that is what we strive to provide every client.

We offer confidential consultations for civilians and service members in Hampton and across Hampton Roads. We will listen, explain the process, and discuss how we can help you move forward.

Call (757) 209-2328 to speak with our office about your situation.