William D. Kickham
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Assault with Intent to Commit Rape

Face of scared woman

Assault with intent to commit rape is an extremely serious crime in this state. Prosecutors and District Attorneys’ Offices view this offense as likely indicator that the person charged is the type of person who, if let off the hook lightly, will probably engage in some sex crime in the future.

Because of this, prosecutors approach these charges very seriously. If you or someone you care about has been charged with this crime, you’re going to need a very experienced, talented, results-proven Massachusetts sex crimes defense lawyer. Since you’re visiting our web site to learn about this crime, it’s possible that you may have already been arrested for this offense, or fear that you are being investigated by police and that you might be arrested for this crime in the near future. Either way, click on the “Free Arrest Tip Sheet” to the left of this page, to download a FREE list of tips on how to handle the immediate aftermath of an arrest in Massachusetts.

This crime is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265 Section 24. In order to convict a defendant on this charge, the prosecution must prove the two legal elements below beyond a reasonable doubt:

1) That the defendant committed an assault against another person. As our Assault and Battery Overview page makes clear, an assault is an attempted battery of another person, or some other illegal act that places another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent and unwanted physical contact.

2) That at the time of the alleged assault, the defendant possessed the specific intent to rape the alleged victim. In Massachusetts, rape is defined as “sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse by a person with another person who is compelled to submit by force and against his will or by threat of bodily injury, or sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with a child under 16.” The prosecution can satisfy the legal element of intent by proving that the defendant premeditated and intended to commit rape. In satisfying this legal element, it is immaterial how brief the premeditation was. It could be fleeting.

Punishment

As emphasized at the top of this page, Assault With Intent To Commit Rape is an extremely serious crime, and the penalties following a conviction of this crime reflect this. If convicted, a defendant can be punished by imprisonment in state prison for a maximum of 20 years, or a maximum of 2 ½ years in a County Jail/House Of Correction. A second or subsequent conviction is punishable by up to life in state prison. If a defendant is convicted of committing this crime while armed with any firearm, such as handgun, shotgun, rifle or an assault weapon, the punishment carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years in state prison. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent charge of Assault With Intent To Commit Rape While Armed, the sentence carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 20 years.

Make the Intelligent Choice When Hiring your Assault with Intent to Commit Rape Defense Attorney

At the Law Offices of William D. Kickham and Associates, we have over 25 years’ experience in successfully defending charges of Assault With Intent To Rape, as well as a variety of other Massachusetts sex crime charges. Having served as a former Special Assistant District Attorney, Attorney William D. Kickham has been featured in reputable media outlets, including The Boston Herald, WBZ-AM Radio 1030, WCVB-TV5/Boston, Nightside With Dan Rea, Greater Boston With Emily Rooney, Money Matters Radio/Boston, and The Metro Newspaper/Boston. With Attorney William D. Kickham standing in front of you, you will benefit from the best legal defense possible. Call us at Ph.: (781) 320-0062, or Ph.: (617) 285-3600, and we’ll provide you with a free initial consultation. Alternatively, you can select this link for a complimentary consultation.

Assertive and effective criminal defense backed by years of Experience

In each case, there's a moment for toughness and a moment for diplomacy, a time to follow the script, and a time to aggressively respond to the situation. Leveraging every legally available strategy to your optimal legal advantage, we understand precisely how to effectively defend these cases. We know how important safeguarding your future is to you.

A History of Superior Legal Results Makes the Choice Easier

Click on our Proven Results Page to see a partial sampling of what our criminal defense clients have had to say about Attorney William Kickham. Or click on Attorney Kickham’s Professional Avvo rating

Call us at Ph.: (781) 320-0062, or Ph.: (617) 285-3600, and we’ll provide you with a free initial consultation for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can select this link for a complimentary consultation. We will review all police reports involved, review the facts, and give you our frank opinion about your case. We will tell you upfront what the weak and strong points are in your case, and we’ll explain exactly how we can help you. We will do all of this as part of a free initial consultation for 20 minutes, and from that point you’ll be under no obligation. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by calling us. The sooner we can begin defending you as your attorney, the better off you are going to be.

We represent our clients before all District and Superior Courts in Eastern Massachusetts.

Westwood and Boston, Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer William D. Kickham has appeared as a legal analyst on a variety of respected media, including Court TV (now In Session on HLN,) Fox News TV-25/Boston, The Boston Herald, WBZ-AM Radio 1030WCVB-TV5/Boston, Nightside With Dan Rea, Greater Boston With Emily Rooney, Money Matters Radio/Boston, and The Metro Newspaper/Boston. Attorney William D. Kickham is turned to by respected reporters and media organizations in Massachusetts as an authoritative expert in the field of criminal defense law, and the case results he produces for his clients attest to this. Call us today at Ph.: (781) 320-0062, or Ph.: (617) 285-3600, to arrange for a free initial consultation of your case. If the matter is not an emergency, you can email us here for a free initial consult and we will respond to you very promptly.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
When I was arrested for DUI, I was absolutely terrified. Had it not been for you, I might have been convicted of something I was not at all guilty of. My work life, my family life, my reputation, all could have been destroyed. You stood by me like the legal version of a bodyguard - and because of you, I was found not guilty. G.M.
★★★★★
When we got the call that our son had been arrested and charged with rape, we almost fainted. We know our son. He is not violent; he has never abused anyone, let alone another girl… If not for you and your "take no prisoners" attitude, our son might have been convicted of a crime that would have sent him to state prison. As far as we're concerned, our son owes you his life, and we owe you the world. We will never forget you. A.H. and P.H.
★★★★★
I hired Mr. William D. Kickham for a very important legal issue and I was extremely satisfied by the results. His in depth knowledge about the matter and his intelligent thinking was extremely beneficial. He is really an expert. He was also very supportive and sensitive towards my concerns. It was great to have a lawyer of his capacity. Thanks William for all the Help. N.G.
★★★★★
Atty. Kickham defended me on a charge of raping my girlfriend, who made up the whole story out of revenge because I was interested in someone else. If it weren’t for Attorney Kickham proving me innocent, God knows what might have happened to me. Z.B.
★★★★★
Mr. Kickham represented me on a trumped-up charge of domestic violence. The prosecutor and police wouldn’t back down, even after my spouse told them it was all untrue. They insisted on taking me to trial, and Mr. Kickham never wavered. He was my legal bodyguard, and I was found not guilty. M.B.
★★★★★
Of the many talents Atty. Kickham has, two are these: 1) He is ten times as persuasive as the best lawyer you’ve seen in the movies; and 2) Nothing - but nothing - gets by him. The police arrested me on completely false drug charges, and after a heated courtroom battle, Atty. Kickham won the day. Trust me, it was no surprise. D.C.
★★★★★
Because I mildly disciplined my child for throwing a tantrum, I was actually charged with child abuse. It was horrifying. Atty. Kickham fought for me tooth and nail, until I was declared not guilty. One hell of a lawyer. D.D.
★★★★★
I complimented a co-worker on her looks and patted her on the back as I did so. Two hours later, the police showed up and accused me of indecent assault & battery. From the day I hired him, Atty. Kickham fought the DA’s office until the charges were dropped. If not for him, my life would have been ruined. A.K.