There are severe penalties for sex crimes convictions in California, making it vital to mount a vigorous defense if you’ve been accused. A Lakewood sexual abuse lawyer from the Simmrin Law Group can defend you in court if you’re facing sex crimes charges.
A sexual abuse crime conviction will leave a lasting impact on your personal and professional life, as well as your reputation. Our office specializes in criminal defense, and we have the skills and experience you need in the fight for your life against a sex crimes convicton.
What Is Sexual Abuse in California?
Under California law, sexual abuse isn’t strictly defined as a crime unto itself, but is an umbrella term that can refer to a number of sex crimes that can occur at all ages. While the term “sexual abuse” is often used in the context of children, it refers to any nonconsensual sexual act.
The definining characteristic of sexual abuse is that it refers to a repeated pattern of behaviors that ocurred over time. This pattern of sexual exploitation may also be referred to as sexual molestation, especially in cases where children are the alleged victims.
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Types of Sexual Abuse in California
As an umbrella term, there are several types of sexual abuse under California law. And no matter which charge(s) you face, you’ll need a sexual abuse attorney in Lakewood to protect your rights. Sexual abuse can be classified into the following crimes:
Sexual Assault and Battery
Like sexual abuse, sexual assault is an umbrella term in California, but it differs in that it refers to a specific set of illegal offenses. Under California Penal Code 243.4, the defining characteristic of sexual assault is forced, unwated physical contact of a sexual nature. Sexual assault can occur on its own or in tandem with sexual battery, the actual physical contact.
Rape
According to California Penal Code 261, rape in California occurs when a person has non-consensual sexual intercourse with another person. One party may use force to rape the victim or take advantage of them while intoxicated. The rapist may have extorted the victim into sex or had sex with them under fraudulent pretenses. California also recognizes spousal rape as a type.
Lewd Conduct
Under California’s Penal Code 647a, persons are prohibited from touching another person’s intimate areas in public for sexual gratification or to annoy the other person. Lewd conduct can occur once or over a period of time. If this occurs over time and the victim is a child, it may constitute child molestation.
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Defending Against Sexual Abuse Charges
According to statistics from the Center for Family Justice, a quarter of women and one out of six men are victims of sexual abuse at some time in their lives. In the past, many of these crimes went unpunished, and victims went their whole lives without justice. However, this has changed in recent years, with California especially taking a tough stance against sex crimes.
If you’re facing sexual abuse charges today, the cards are already stacked against you. That makes it vital to work with a sexual abuse defense attorney who will seek to understand your side of the story and who has expertise in convincing a jury of it.
Your choice of Lakewood sexual abuse attorney could mean the difference between your freedom and a lifetime of being known as a sex offender.
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Statute of Limitations for California Sex Crimes
Cases of sexual abuse are being prosecuted more vigorously than ever, especially those that occurred years or even decades ago. California now allows victims of these crimes to come forward up until the age of forty if the sexual abuse occurred when they were a child. Adult victims of sexual abuse now have ten years to pursue a sexual abuse case after the incident.
California’s criminal statute of limitations on sex crimes grants significant leeway to victims, meaning you could face allegations from events that occurred years ago. These cases can be incredibly hard to fight, especially if you remember little about the incident. Even if you manage to win, you could face lingering suspicions that something indeed happened.
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Get Help Today From a Lakewood Sexual Abuse Lawyer
In order to not only maintain your innocence in a court of law, but to definitively clear your name and remove any cloud of guilt, you’ll need an exceptional defense team with years of experience in handling sexual abuse cases. At Simmrin Law Group, our experienced team of Lakewood sexual abuse attorneys are dedicated to representing your side of the story in court.
We know how hard it can be for defendants to get a fair shot in court and to find a defense lawyer who truly has their interests at heart. We’ve seen countless people fall through the cracks of the justice system and resolved that it would never happen to any of our clients. Contact us today to work with a defense team that will never stop fighting on your behalf.
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