The facts of these types of cases are never easy to hear. In this case, a 34-year-old Maryland man was arrested and has been charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl. The incident allegedly occurred at the girl's home. The man is said to be a family acquaintance, as is often the case in sex crimes involving rape.

The accused man is apparently behind bars now with bail set at $2 million. He faces charges that include rape and sexual assault - and undoubtedly faces significant jail time if convicted.

The man is 34. The girl is 13. That's a 21-year age difference. And the girl is a young teen, a minor. A person's instinct is to recoil at these facts, to assume the 34-year-old's guilt.

That would be a mistake.

Even though society condemns sex crime of all types, it's easy to forget that somebody accused of a sex crime still has legal rights, including the right to a fair trial, and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If you are charged with a sex crime, don't risk your future, contact a sex crimes defense lawyer in Maryland to protect your legal rights.

Source: Man charged in 13-year-old's rape