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Sex crimes in Pompeu, Brazil, are prosecuted under federal and state criminal law, primarily the Brazilian Penal Code, specialized statutes and protective laws such as the Lei Maria da Penha and the Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente. Local criminal investigations are handled by the Polícia Civil in conjunction with the Ministério Público. Police, health services and the judiciary in Pompeu follow national rules for investigation, evidence collection and victim protection, but actual services and specialized units may be located in regional centers rather than within the municipality itself.
If you are involved in a sex crime case - whether as a victim, witness or someone accused - a lawyer can protect your rights and guide you through criminal procedures that are often complex and emotionally difficult. Reasons to seek legal help include - making and securing a criminal complaint, requesting protective measures, ensuring forensic exams are done properly, preserving and presenting evidence, responding to police questioning, defending against charges, negotiating with prosecutors, and representing you in court.
Lawyers also help explain legal consequences, timelines, potential penalties, and options for civil claims such as compensation for damages or requests for injunctions. If you cannot afford private counsel, a lawyer from the Defensoria Publica can provide free legal representation for eligible people.
Key aspects of the legal framework that are particularly relevant in Pompeu include the following.
Definitions and criminal types - Brazilian criminal law distinguishes rape and other sexual crimes that involve violence or serious threat, sexual acts with vulnerable persons, sexual harassment in public spaces, and the dissemination of intimate content without consent. Consensual sexual activity with a person under the age defined by law is treated as a specific crime even if the younger person consented.
Rape and sexual assault - Acts that involve violence or serious threat to obtain sexual acts are criminalized. Penalties vary with the nature of the act, the use of violence, and any aggravating factors such as the degree of injury or the age and vulnerability of the victim.
Sexual crimes against minors - Separate and stricter provisions protect children and adolescents. Sexual relations or libidinous acts with children under the legal age are criminal offenses regardless of alleged consent. The Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente provides additional protective rules and procedures for victims who are minors.
Sexual harassment and public sexual offenses - Brazilian law addresses acts such as sexual importuning in public and non-consensual touching. Offenses created or updated in recent years widen protection and criminal responsibility for behaviors once handled only as administrative or civil matters.
Protective measures - For victims of sexual violence, courts can adopt urgent protective measures, modeled on the Lei Maria da Penha when violence occurs in domestic or family contexts. Protective measures can include restraining orders, removal of the aggressor from the shared home, and bans on contact.
Investigation and evidence - Police collect reports through the boletim de ocorrência and may carry out a forensic examination at the Instituto Médico Legal or a health service that performs evidence collection. Witness statements, electronic communication, surveillance footage and physical evidence are common forms of proof. Chain of custody and prompt collection of evidence are important for stronger cases.
Prosecution and defense - The Ministério Público decides whether to bring charges based on available evidence. Defendants are entitled to legal representation and to present a defense. The criminal process may include hearings, expert reports and appeals. Penalties and procedural steps depend on the type of offense and its severity.
You can report a sexual crime by going to the nearest Polícia Civil station to file a boletim de ocorrência. If a specialized Delegacia da Mulher or a service for victims of sexual violence is available in the region, you may report there. In urgent situations you may also call emergency police services. After the report, the police will open an investigation and may refer you for medical and forensic examination.
Your safety comes first - get to a safe place and, if necessary, call the police. Seek urgent medical care even if you do not have apparent injuries. Avoid bathing, changing clothes or cleaning the scene if you plan to collect forensic evidence, and preserve any messages, photos or other items that may be evidence. Consider contacting a lawyer or a victim support service as soon as possible.
No, you can press charges without a forensic exam, but the exam - often called an exame de corpo de delito or rape kit - can provide important medical and biological evidence. Health professionals can also provide care, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections and documentation of injuries. A lawyer or victim advocate can explain the benefits and the process.
Yes. Under Brazilian law, sexual activity with children below the age specified by statute is a criminal offense regardless of claimed consent. The law treats minors as vulnerable and establishes strict criminal liability to protect them. Cases involving minors follow special procedures designed to protect the child or adolescent.
If the alleged perpetrator is a family member or intimate partner, you may seek urgent protective measures through the police or the court under provisions similar to the Lei Maria da Penha. Protective measures can restrict contact, require the removal of the aggressor from the home and order other forms of protection. A lawyer or the Ministério Público can assist in requesting these measures.
Authorities and courts take steps to protect victims' privacy, especially in cases with minors or sensitive evidence. However, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in all procedural stages, since legal processes may require testimony and evidence exchange. A lawyer can ask the court for special protective measures to safeguard your identity and privacy during the proceedings.
If you are accused, do not speak to the police without legal representation. You have the right to remain silent and to be represented by a lawyer. The investigation may include detention, questioning, collection of evidence and, depending on circumstances, preventive measures. A criminal defense lawyer can advise on plea options, challenge evidence and represent you at hearings.
There is no fixed timeline - cases can take months or years depending on investigatory complexity, availability of expert reports, court schedules and appeals. Urgent protective measures can be granted quickly, while final criminal judgments may require considerable time. A lawyer can provide case-specific expectations based on local court practice.
Yes, if you meet income or other eligibility criteria you can request assistance from the Defensoria Publica do Estado de Minas Gerais, which provides free legal defense and advisory services. The Ministério Público also provides victim assistance services and may refer you to support programs. Local municipal services or NGOs may offer counseling and legal guidance.
Relevant evidence often includes medical and forensic reports, witness statements, messages and electronic communications, photos or video, physical objects from the scene and records of contact. Prompt preservation of evidence increases its probative value. Your lawyer can advise exactly what to collect and how to preserve it.
To navigate a sex crime matter in Pompeu, consider the following types of local and state resources - local Polícia Civil station for reporting crimes, specialized units such as a Delegacia da Mulher where available, the Instituto Médico Legal or local health unit for forensic examinations, the Ministério Público do Estado de Minas Gerais for prosecutorial information, and the Defensoria Publica for free legal representation when eligible.
Municipal services such as the Secretaria Municipal de Saúde and social assistance bodies like CREAS and CRAS can provide medical care, psychosocial support and referrals. Non-governmental organizations and victim support groups in the region or in larger nearby cities may offer counseling, shelter and legal orientation. If you are unsure where to turn, start at the police station or the health unit and ask for guidance to specialized services.
If you are a victim - prioritize safety, obtain medical attention and preserve evidence. File a boletim de ocorrência at the nearest Polícia Civil station and ask about available protective measures. Seek legal assistance from a private lawyer or the Defensoria Publica if you cannot afford a lawyer. Look for local victim support and counseling services to help with emotional recovery and practical needs.
If you are accused - secure legal representation immediately, avoid giving statements without counsel and preserve any documents or communications that may help your defense. Follow your lawyer's guidance about interactions with investigators and court appearances.
In all cases - keep a written record of events, dates and contacts; preserve electronic communications; attend scheduled medical and legal appointments; and ask your lawyer about civil remedies such as compensation claims if applicable. Legal procedures can be complex and stressful - a local lawyer experienced in sexual offense cases can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome.
