Definition of Female Genital Mutilation
Infibulation, excision, and circumcision are terms referring to the modification or the removal of part or all of external female genitalia. They also describe closing a vagina. Circumcision is usually associated with procedures performed to remove a baby boy's foreskin, but female circumcision involves total or partial clitoris removal. Excision refers to the total or partial removal of both the labia minora and the clitoris. Infibulation, the most severe kind of mutilation, involves all external being removed and the sides of the vulva being stitched together. Some cultures perform genital mutilation on young girls in order to prevent premarital sexual activity. But genital mutilation has been considered to cause extreme harm to a child's mental and physical health. The overall procedure is often traumatic and painful, especially when performed without antiseptics or anesthesia.Arrest and Arraignment
When you're accused of genital mutilation, a law enforcement officer will take you into custody. You might be issued a Desk Appearance Ticket in lieu of an arrest if you lack a prior criminal record and the particular charge is a misdemeanor or violation. Usually a DAT won't be issued regarding a felony, but certain exceptions are made for class E felonies. A DAT is a ticket which states your charge and where and when you'll be required to appear in court to be arraigned. You must appear at the appropriate time. Failure to appear will result in an arrest warrant being issued. The arraignment is the hearing at the court where you'll hear the charges for the first time. It's possible that the prosecution will bring additional charges against you on top of the female genital mutilation charge. Common additional charges are endangering the welfare of a child and varying child abuse charges. It's also possible that you will be charged with female genital mutilation on a federal level. Federal statutes about genital mutilation mirror New York's. Bail is the other thing that will be determined at your arraignment. The judge will either decide that you should be held without bail or set a bail. You'll be told the date of your next court appearance. It's required to appear at court during the preset times. Otherwise, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You might have the option of a plea deal with the prosecution. Plea agreements generally involve the reduction or dismissal of some charges in exchange for pleading guilty to a less severe charge. When plea agreements are used, trials aren't necessary. Pleas can also happen during the trial, and in these cases trials won't proceed to verdicts. Your attorney will examine your case and discuss your options with you.⚖ Legal Pulse: Key Statistics
15,000+
Federal Cases Filed Annually
90%
Plea Before Trial
Defense Team Spotlight
Todd Spodek
Lead Attorney & Founder
Featured on Netflix’s “Inventing Anna,” Todd brings decades of experience defending clients in complex criminal cases.
Multi-State Bar
Federal Courts
US Supreme Court
Meet the Full Team →
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Invoke both rights immediately and contact Spodek Law Group.
Every case is different. We offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case and discuss our fee structure.
An arraignment is your first court appearance where charges are formally read. You enter a plea and bail may be set. Having an attorney present is critical.
Facing Criminal Charges And Have Questions? We Can Help, Tell Us What Happened.
