Eichelberger Law Firm, PLLC
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Accused of Statutory Rape?

We Fight for Your Rights.

Eichelberger Law Firm, PLLC is a leading defense firm that is prepared to protect your reputation and freedom. Call today!

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Facing Statutory Rape Charges in ?

Call (601) 851-0061 for Immediate Legal Help

Accused of statutory rape? Even if you have not been formally charged, speaking with our defense firm will be crucial to building a powerful defense strategy. We work hard to ensure no charges are filed and apply aggressive, proactive defenses to secure the best possible outcome. Due to the nature of these offenses, there will be very little room for forgiveness or sympathy from prosecutors, officers, judges, or jury members. Don’t wait to build your defense.

Call (601) 851-0061 to determine how we can help you avoid or minimize the penalties associated with a sex crime.

  • J. Matthew Eichelberger

    Attorney

    Over the course of his career, thousands of clients, including judges, prosecutors, doctors, business owners, and elected officials, have turned to J. Matthew Eichelberger for legal help in their time of need. There’s a reason for that. In addition to being recognized as Trial Lawyer of the Year, Matt maintains an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, a perfect 10.0 Avvo Rating, and has been recognized as Super Lawyers® Mid-South Rising Stars.

    Matt began practicing law in 2003 with the Jackson law firm of Sanford & Harper, where he worked for now-U.S. Congressman Gregg Harper. In 2005, Matt moved to Texas, where he practiced criminal defense, construction litigation, and oil and gas litigation. Soon after moving there, Matt joined the firm of Gibson, Hotchkiss, Roach & Davenport, one of the oldest law firms in Texas. Matt moved home to Mississippi from Texas in late 2007 and is now an inactive member of the State Bar of Texas.

    When Matt moved back home to Mississippi in 2007, he joined the Office of the Hinds County Public Defender. He immediately took on multiple high-profile cases, winning an acquittal in a capital murder trial, a dismissal in another murder case, and eventually the reversal of one of Mississippi’s most highly-publicized murder convictions in decades. After leaving the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office in 2010, Matt opened the law firm of Eichelberger & Lee with his longtime friend, P.J. Lee, where they focused on criminal defense, DUI defense, and civil rights.

    In 2012, Matt opened the Eichelberger Law Firm, where he continues to focus on criminal defense and civil rights throughout Mississippi. He remains passionately interested in exposing forensic science fraud in our nation’s courtrooms and has taught continuing legal education classes on that topic, as well as other subjects such as cross-examination and voir dire.

  • Jennie Eichelberger

    Attorney

    Jennie Eichelberger represents clients in workers' compensation, civil rights, and criminal defense matters. After becoming a member of the Mississippi Bar in 2007, Jennie worked as a judicial clerk for multiple Hinds County Circuit Court judges. She then joined the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office in 2008, where she quickly earned her reputation as a skilled and tenacious advocate for her clients. Jennie gained valuable experience in criminal defense while at the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office, trying numerous cases to jury verdict and winning multiple not guilty verdicts.

    Jennie entered private practice in 2010, joining a local workers compensation law firm. While there, she successfully represented hundreds of claimants before the Mississippi Workers Compensation Commission. In late 2013, Jennie was asked to work for the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Jackson office on a two-year fellowship and handle multiple civil rights matters involving Mississippi’s incarcerated youths. Jennie completed her service to SPLC in September of 2015 and joined the Eichelberger Law Firm.

    Jennie is the immediate past president of the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar, a member of the Mississippi Board of Bar Commissioners, an American Bar Association Fellow, and the Vice President of the Mississippi Association for Justice. She has served as chair of numerous committees for the Mississippi Bar’s Young Lawyers Division and the Mississippi Association for Justice.

We Have a Solid Reputation

See Why Clients Choose Our Team

  • “One of the best up-and-coming criminal lawyers in Mississippi. ”

    A Private Practice Attorney

  • “Highest recommendation for criminal defense and civil rights litigation. ”

    A Private Practice Attorney

  • “Matt is a fearless, but not reckless, trial lawyer. ”

    A Private Practice Attorney

  • “Matt is a fine lawyer and I would absolutely trust him to handle criminal matters...”

    A Private Practice Attorney

  • “In a legal system full of “check the box” mentality, Matt Eichelberger cares about the truth. ”

    Criminal Defense Client

  • “During one of the worst times of my life, Matt helped make me feel at ease.”

    Criminal Defense Client

When the World Turns on You,

Turn to Eichelberger Law Firm, PLLC

  • We Have Nearly 25 Years of Legal Experience

  • Complimentary, Confidential Case Consultations

  • Top-Rated & Highly Successful Criminal Defense Lawyers

  • Backed by a Winning Track Record of Success

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Penalties & What Conviction Could Mean for You

A conviction for statutory rape can result in some of the most severe criminal penalties under the law. Even an allegation could cause serious and life-changing issues: your reputation could be marred, your future could feel uncertain, and you could be even prohibited from seeing your children. Our firm is focused on securing results that help protect your future and freedom.

  • Time in Prison or Jail
  • Excessive Fines and Fees
  • Loss of Right to Own a Firearm
  • Sex Offender Registration
  • Forfeiture of Assets
  • Immigration Consequences

More Answers to Your Questions

Read Our FAQs

  • Questions

  • What is statutory rape?

    Answer

    In the most general definition, statutory rape is defined as the act of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person who is a minor (under the age of 18). Because laws concerning statutory rape can vary according to State, and because certain courts handle these types of cases differently, it is important that you work with a defense attorney who understands the ins and outs of the law and can use this knowledge to your advantage.

  • The other party lied about their age. What happens next?

    Answer

    At Eichelberger Law Firm, PLLC, we understand that dishonesty could be a huge factor in statutory rape cases. Unfortunately, lying about one’s age can be detrimental for the accused: these lies can put the accused in a difficult position and can make a case very complex. Our team can investigate all avenues of defense and create a compelling defense to help a judge or jury understand all circumstances of the case, including any lies or statements the victim made to you.

  • What if I was in a relationship with the victim?

    Answer

    Most courts recognize that anyone who is not of the age of consent (18 years old) cannot responsibly give consent to engage in sexual relations. Even if you were in a relationship with the victim, the law may not recognize that the victim was able to give consent and act freely on that consent. The exception to this is marriage (even if your spouse is a minor).

  • Should I talk to the police about my version of the events?

    Answer

    Absolutely not. If you have been taken into custody, or if you think you have been targeted as the center of an investigation, it is important that you remain silent. You have the right to assert your silence when asked questions by police or investigators. This means any verbal or written statements regarding the events in question should not be made without the presence of your attorney.

  • Possible Case Outcomes

    Charges Reduced

    Most sex crimes are considered to be felony offenses. We work hard to reduce the charge to a lesser degree, such as a misdemeanor.

  • Possible Case Outcomes

    Plea Bargain

    It is our primary goal to help make sure our clients secure the best possible outcome, even if this means negotiating with prosecutors.

  • Possible Case Outcomes

    Case Dismissed

    We fight tirelessly to secure complete case dismissal so you can walk away from a serious criminal allegation with a clean slate.

Increase Your Chances of a Better Outcome

We Know the Law. We Can Protect Your Rights.

  • Am I
    going to jail?

  • How serious
    is this?

  • I can't afford
    to pay the fines

  • Is this going on my
    criminal record?

  • Can you help?

  • I regret all of it

Few things can be as overwhelming as a sex crime allegation and we know you have plenty of questions. Speak with us to get the sound legal advice you need.

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