If you face date rape charges, you face severe criminal penalties that can negatively impact your life forever. We know that facing these charges is an incredibly difficult and stressful time for you. However, you don’t have to face them on your own. Our lawyers can help you fight against your charges.
The Simmrin Law Group has Lakewood date rape attorneys ready to assist you with your case. Don’t wait until the last minute to start preparing a strong defense. The prosecution will be relentless in trying to secure a conviction. Let us assist you in defending yourself against the prosecution and prove your innocence.
Defining Date Rape Under California Law
According to California’s penal code for sex crimes, there is no specific code for date rape. It is simply a term used to describe a type of rape that occurs between two people that are romantically or sexually involved with each other while one or both parties were intoxicated. If you get accused of date rape, you face criminal charges of rape and other applicable sexual crimes.
Date rape can occur at a party, gathering, or any other setting. Most cases of date rape can involve the use of some sort of drug. However, drug use isn’t a hard requirement. For example, getting another person extremely drunk and then taking advantage of them in that state is also date rape.
Usage of Date Rape Drugs and the Law
Possession of date rape drugs such as ketamine, Rohypnol, or GHB for the explicit intent of rape is automatically a felony. However, some of these drugs, such as GHB, have recreational purposes as well.
In most cases, the police will automatically suspect you used the drug for date rape. But if this isn’t the case, you can prove otherwise with assistance from our Lakewood date rape attorneys.
What Kind of Penalties Do I Face for Date Rape?
Date rape is a type of rape, and rape has serious criminal penalties attached to it upon conviction:
- Mandatory state prison sentence anywhere between three to eight years
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- A felony conviction on your permanent record
- Restitution paid to the victim through court order or civil suit
- Registration with the California sex offender registry
Not only do you have to pay large amounts of money and spend years in a harsh environment such as prison, but your life is also effectively ruined. Being a convicted felon makes gaining employment, going to school, or getting housing difficult enough as it is. Registry as a sex offender, on top of all that, will make it virtually impossible to live life without major handicaps.
You should take date rape charges seriously. The penalties you can receive as a result of a conviction can alter the course of your life forever. Don’t let this happen to you. There are several defenses our date rape attorneys in Lakewood can use to help exonerate you.
How Can I Defend Myself From Date Rape Charges?
There are several defenses you can use to defend yourself from date rape charges. Our lawyers typically use the following due to their strength and versatility.
False Accusations
Many people erroneously believe that false accusations of date rape are impossible. The truth is, false accusations are actually more common than people assume. There are many reasons why someone would falsely accuse you of date rape.
Regardless of the reason, our lawyers won’t stand for that. We will pursue every legal option available for your case to fight against those false accusations. You can also file a civil suit against your accuser for defamation and slander.
Lack of Evidence
Lack of evidence means that there is no concrete proof that the crime even took place. In other words, your date rape case becomes a situation of “he said/she said,” which has little merit in criminal court. The prosecution needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt you’re guilty of the charges brought before you. Without evidence, you can get your case dismissed.
Violation of Your Rights
When the police or prosecution investigate the charges brought against you, there are specific rules they need to follow under the law. Breaking the law to obtain evidence, a forced confession, or harassing witnesses only weakens their case and strengthens yours. If your rights were violated, you can use that to your advantage to prove your innocence.
What Can a Lakewood Date Rape Lawyer Do for Me?
Our date rape lawyers in Lakewood, CA, can help you win your case in various ways:
- Handling all your communications with other parties.
- Representing you vigorously in court and out of it.
- Gathering and preparing evidence to support your defense.
- Consult with experts and witnesses for supporting testimonies in your defense.
- Answering all your legal questions and helping you completely understand the legal aspects of your case.
As you can see, fighting on your own will put you at an extreme disadvantage, especially if you know little to nothing about criminal law in California. Don’t risk getting convicted on your date rape charges. Allow us to help you fight back today.
Should I Accept a Plea Bargain?
A plea bargain can be a great way to end your legal situation decisively. However, always be cautious about blindly accepting any deal. Many plea bargains are carefully crafted to still ensure that you get convicted and face several criminal penalties.
Our lawyers will review all the deals brought before you by the prosecution or make a proper deal on your behalf. Don’t trust the prosecution to be on your side when they offer you a plea. Get a lawyer to review the terms of the deal first before verbally agreeing to or signing anything.
Get Your Free Consultation With a Date Rape Lawyer in Lakewood Today
The Simmrin Law Group is here to help you. Our Lakewood date rape lawyers have years of experience and will provide you with a free consultation. There is no risk or obligation when you reach out to us. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.