Rape:
a first-degree felony involving forcible intercourse or intercourse with someone unable to consent, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 in fines
An allegation of rape or sexual assault can upend a life before a single fact has been tested in court, and Masorti Law Group PC fights those cases with the urgency they demand.
Sexual offense charges carry some of the harshest penalties in Pennsylvania’s criminal code, and a conviction can mean decades in prison, lifetime sex offender registration, and a permanent mark that follows you long after any sentence ends.
Even before charges are filed, an accusation can cost a student a place at Penn State, a professional their career, or a parent custody of their children. That is why hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney within hours, not weeks, of learning you are under investigation matters so much.
Masorti Law Group PC has represented individuals accused of sex crimes throughout State College, Bellefonte, Altoona, Lewistown, and Lock Haven for more than two decades. Our office on University Drive sits close to Penn State’s campus, and we understand how quickly a Title IX complaint, a police interview request, or a criminal complaint filed in Centre County Court can spiral into a felony prosecution.
As a criminal trial lawyer with extensive courtroom experience, our approach starts the moment you call, not after charges are already filed.
These cases often turn on credibility, timeline, and forensic detail rather than physical evidence alone. A rape defense attorney who knows how Centre County prosecutors build these cases, and how local juries respond to them, gives you a genuine fighting chance from day one.
Pennsylvania law separates sexual offenses into distinct crimes, each with its own elements and penalties. Understanding what you are actually charged with, and what the Commonwealth must prove, is the first step in building a defense.
Our strategy begins with getting involved as early as possible, ideally before an arrest, so we can shape the investigation rather than simply react to it. As a felony defense attorney handling these cases, Attorney Masorti reviews every police report, forensic exam, and witness statement for inconsistencies that can unravel the prosecution’s timeline.
We conduct independent investigations into the alleged incident, tracking down text messages, social media activity, security footage, and witnesses that police may have overlooked. Cross-examination is often where these cases are won or lost, and skilled questioning can reveal a complainant’s motivation, memory gaps, or influence from outside parties.
For Penn State students and other college clients, we also coordinate defense strategy with any parallel university disciplinary hearing, since statements made in one proceeding can affect the other. Our goal throughout is a clear-eyed, realistic assessment of your options, whether that means negotiating a resolution, pursuing dismissal, or preparing for trial before a Centre County jury.
Sexual offense cases require a defense attorney who has actually tried these cases in front of a jury, not one who defaults to a plea in every matter. Here is what clients get when they hire our firm.
Sexual assault defense frequently asked questions
What should I do if police want to question me about a sexual assault allegation?
What is the difference between rape and sexual assault under Pennsylvania law?
Can a sexual assault charge affect my status as a Penn State student?
Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted?
A sexual assault allegation moves fast, and the decisions you make in the first hours and days can shape the rest of the case. Call Masorti Law Group PC for a confidential consultation and let a trial-tested defense attorney start protecting your rights immediately.
