Man Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Children

March 13, 2011

Cirilo Cholula Maranchel, 19, of Lakewood, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to crimes committed in 2009. Maranchel sexually assaulted eight girls, who ranged in age from four to nine. He faced six counts of aggravated sexual assault, as well as two additional sexual assault charges.

Maranchel chose not to try his case, as he wanted to spare his victims the strain that would accompany any trial. However, not everyone charged with a sex offense has such an easy decision. Often, uninformed decisions are made that severely diminish the rights of those accused.

Many people charged with a sex crime plead guilty without understanding exactly what they are up against. They just want to move past the conviction, and focus on moving forward. Unfortunately for those people, sex crimes carry many unique sentencing components that last long after a release from prison.

Those convicted are also required to register as sex offenders. Whenever a person moves into a new neighborhood, law enforcement must be notified. In turn, the community will be informed about the offender's presence. If the offender does not commit any additional sex offenses in the 15 years following a conviction, he or she can petition the court to be removed from the offender list, but the court does not necessarily have to remove the offender from the list.

Additionally, most sex offenders will be forced to serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentences before being eligible for parole. The No Early Release Act applies to those convicted of violent offenses, and includes aggravated sexual assault.

If any of the victims are children, these cases can become extremely high profile. The media may distribute information that makes it difficult to obtain a fair trial. Prosecutors will be under pressure to get convictions, and be unwilling to discuss potential plea bargains.

When you have been charged with a sex crime, it is extremely important to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney. It is important to prepare a strong defense as soon as you learn you are the target of an investigation. Often, police focus on a suspect, and begin to gather evidence that supports their theories. Any information that could cast doubt on guilt or provide a defense against the accusations is routinely ignored, making it difficult to defend yourself against the accusations.

Article provided by Palumbo & Renaud
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