All instances of sexual abuse can be punished very harshly in the Long Beach area. You can end up facing fines and years of incarceration if you are accused of date rape in California. The severity of a rape accusation can even impact your life before a conviction.
You should not attempt to handle a date rape accusation on your own. Boosting your chances of beating these charges is as easy as contacting a date rape lawyer in Long Beach today. Get help building a solid defense by calling the Simmrin Law Group now.
The Legal Definition of Date Rape in Long Beach
We see the term ‘date rape’ thrown around a lot in today’s world. Generally, people use date rape to describe non-consensual sex acts that occurred between people:
- Who Were Familiar with One Another
- Who Met While Out at a Club or Party
Individuals could be accused of date rape for having intercourse with an individual who was intoxicated. Additionally, date rape can refer to non-consensual sex acts involving individuals who are:
- Married
- Dating
- Sexually Involved
These definitions can help you understand the definition of date rape used by the general public. However, it is important to mention that California does not have a unique date rape law. Acts of date rape are prosecuted as other instances of rape, or sexual assault.
Any time one person is forced, coerced, or blackmailed into non-consensual sex, it is considered rape. Rape also occurs if someone is sexually assaulted while they are:
- Asleep
- Unconscious
- Drugged
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Long Beach, call (310) 896-2723
Legal Issues Associated with the Use of a Date Rape Drug
Some illicit substances are viewed as ‘date rape drugs’ because they are often used to take advantage of people. You make be familiar with:
- Ketamine
- Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- Flunitrazepam
- Rohypnol (Roofies)
You can be charged with a felony if you are found in possession of a date rape drug you intended to use against someone else. A conviction for this felony can lead to 3 years of prison time.
However, many people possess these illicit substances only for personal use. Proving intent can be difficult on your own. If you are charged with possession of any date rape drug, you should contact a Long Beach criminal defense lawyer right away.
Your lawyer may be able to prove that you did not intend to use the drugs in order to commit sexual assault. Note that, even if you are not charged with a felony, you can end up prosecuted for drug possession. Get answers about your legal options from the Simmrin Law Group.
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Date Rape and the Statute of Limitations
Many people do not think back onto events that happened ten years ago. In some cases, we don’t even feel like the same person after so much time has elapsed. However, the court system in Long Beach can now hold individuals responsible for events that occurred in the distant past.
California no longer uses a statute of limitations on sexual assault cases. This change went into effect in 2017. Any instance of sexual assault that occurs after 2017 can be prosecuted at any time in the future.
Sexual abuse – including acts of date rape – that occurred prior to 2017 are still subject to a 10 year statute of limitations. This means that you should not face charges if you are accused of acts of date rape past a certain date.
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Penalties for a Date Rape Conviction in Long Beach
As previously mentioned, date rape is prosecuted like any other form of rape in the Long Beach area. This means that you could face the following penalties if you are convicted:
- Fines: Up to $10,000
- Prison Time: Up to 8 Years
The court may rule that you need to pay restitution to any victims. You will also have to register as a sex offender if convicted of date rape. Note that you can face additional criminal charges if you fail to register as a sex offender in Long Beach.
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You Can Get Help from a Long Beach Date Rape Lawyer
Sexual abuse charges can destroy your life. You should treat all date rape charges seriously by contacting the professionals at the Simmrin Law Group. A sex crimes lawyer can go over your options and start working on your defense immediately. You can get the legal advice you need from our date rape lawyers in Long Beach with a FREE initial case evaluation.
Take charge of your future right now by calling (310) 896-2723 or completing our online contact form.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form