People who are in a position of authority or trust have certain responsibilities above and beyond that of normal citizens, especially when it comes to how they treat those with with whom they have authority over. 

Unfortunately, it is not unusual to find out that a person in this position has taken advantage of their authority or trust in an unlawful way. In many cases, this takes the form of sexual misconduct.

Sexual Misconduct refers to a sexual activity between two people where one person is in a position of authority or trust over the other. Some of these relationships include:

• Police Officers / Correctional Officers and those in their custody 
• Psychologists / Psychiatrists and their patients 
• Teachers and their students
• Doctors and their patients
• Counselors and those they counsel
• Pastors / Priests and members of their congregation
• Foster parents and the minors in their care

In these relationships, the authority figure abuses his/her influence or power in order to engage in sexual activity. The rationale is that a person under the authority of someone else cannot truly give consent because they are under the authority figure’s power. 

People who are criminally convicted of sexual misconduct can face large fines, jail time or a prison sentence, lose their job or professional license, and may be required to publicly register as a sex offender in their state. 

They may also be sued in civil court to compensate for the physical and/or emotional harm that was inflicted on their victim. 

At Mountain State Law, we fight for justice for those who have been taken advantage of by people of authority. Whether it is sexual harassment, discrimination, or sexual misconduct by an employer or person of authority, our experienced attorneys can help victims receive compensation for the unjust and often traumatic situations that they have been subjected to. 

No one can turn back the clock and undo what has been done, but we will do our best to make sure that justice is served. 

If you or someone you know has been taken advantage of by a person of authority, call the attorneys at Mountain State Law at (304)-715-3800. We will set up a free consultation to discuss what happened, and help you find the best way to move forward.