We live in a time in which many people are coming out publicly about sexual crimes perpetrated against them. But, unfortunately, this means innocent people are caught in the crosshairs. Don’t wait to hire a qualified Los Angeles sex crimes lawyer to represent your case if you are one of them.
The criminal defense attorneys at Simmrin Law Group believe everyone deserves to be treated fairly under the law, including sex crime offenders. If you are facing sex crime charges, trust our Los Angeles sex crime attorneys to stand up for your rights and pursue justice on your behalf. We can help you:
- Understand the nature of the charges brought against you
- Create a legal defense strategy for pre-trial, trial, and sentencing stages
- Investigate the circumstances regarding the alleged incident to find evidence and witnesses
Understanding Los Angeles Sex Crime Charges
Sex crimes refer to a broad range of criminal offenses. They include all forms of sexual assault, prostitution, and rape, as well as sexual intercourse involving minors (anyone under 18).
Because the term ‘sex crime’ encompasses a broad range of different contact, non-contact, violent, and non-violent offenses, the charges and penalties surrounding these actions are equally broad. A sex crimes lawyer in Los Angeles can help you understand the charges brought against you and the next steps you can take to defend yourself.
Sex crime charges have severe consequences on your future. Not only can they lead to prison sentences and fines, but a Los Angeles sex crime conviction can also require sex offender registration. In addition, criminal convictions can tarnish your reputation and hinder you from job opportunities. You may also be prohibited from living in certain areas of Los Angeles. Most sex crime convictions cannot be expunged from your record, creating a permanent obstacle for your future and quality of life.
Therefore, it is vital to take your charges seriously and partner with a skilled Los Angeles sex crime attorney right away. A criminal defense attorney will review the allegations, build a strong defense, and fight for justice. You are innocent until proven guilty, and a skilled defender will do everything in their power to reduce or dismiss your sex crime charges.
For a free legal consultation with a sex crimes lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (310) 896-2723
Rape and Related Sex Crimes
Rape is a grave accusation that can occur in several situations. In order to obtain a rape conviction in Los Angeles, the prosecution must show that non-consensual sexual intercourse occurred.
However, a lack of consent can mean that the victim was:
- Forced into sex
- Threatened into sex with physical force
- Blackmailed into sexual acts
- Drugged and therefore unable to consent to the sex
- Unconscious, asleep, or too intoxicated to consent to sexual behavior
Legally speaking, rape is not always clear-cut, and cases can be very complex. Therefore, the best chance of proving your innocence is to enlist the services of a skilled sex crimes attorney in Los Angeles.
Date Rape
Date rape is the act of forcing sexual intercourse with a victim in a social situation. These cases typically involve engaging in intercourse with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and too intoxicated to provide legal consent.
Due to the element of intoxication, there can be confusion about whether the victim regretted their consent or did not consent at all. Therefore, false allegations are common in date rape cases, and the best way to defend yourself is by partnering with a Los Angeles date rape lawyer.
Statutory Rape
California has strict laws regarding statutory rape, and many people may find them confusing. However, as a general rule, any sexual intercourse with a person who is under the age of 18 is considered statutory rape and can have the following consequences:
- Misdemeanor charges: Up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines and fees.
- Felony charges: Up to four years in state prison and $10,000 in fines and fees.
In some cases, an Los Angeles sex crimes attorney can reduce your charge to unlawful sexual activity with a minor. For both of these charges, you may not have to register as a sex offender.
Los Angeles Sex Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Charges Related to Prostitution
Though the modern era has seen a social push favoring sex work, prostitution is still illegal in California. The legal definition of prostitution does not require a sexual act to occur, which means you can face solicitation charges for agreeing to sexual favors in exchange for compensation.
At the Simmrin Law Group, our California sex crimes lawyers may be able to help you by providing such defense strategies as:
- Challenging evidence
- Alleging illegal entrapment
- Arguing mistaken identity
Solicitation of a Minor
If you attempted to seduce or solicit a minor using a computer, you might face severe penalties, including sex offender registration. Individuals face a solicitation of a minor charge when they:
- Attempt to lure children from their parents or a safe location
- Give harmful or immoral material to a minor (such as pornography)
- Arrange sexual meet-ups with children
Our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers are well-versed in California solicitation laws and will defend you against these severe allegations.
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Sex Crimes Involving Children
Sexual crimes against children are taken very seriously by the court system and the general public, so even a whisper of misconduct can tarnish your reputation. Our sex crimes lawyers have experience defending clients from many different crimes involving children, including:
- Child Molestation
- Possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography
- Child sexual abuse
- Traveling to meet a minor
Penalties for child sex crimes include:
- Lifelong sex offender registration
- Long-term prison sentences
- Felony offender status
- Significant fines
Of these, the most serious is registering as a sex offender, making it challenging to find a home or job in the future. To avoid these harsh consequences, contact one of our Los Angeles sex crimes attorneys as soon as possible.
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Human Trafficking Sex Crimes
A human trafficking charge is one of the most intense allegations a person can face. California Penal Code §236.1 makes human trafficking a felony offense. As such, it carries pressing consequences, including:
- Life in prison
- Fines of up to $500,000
- Registration as a sex offender
The laws are strict about this sex offense because it can be related to forms of sexual slavery. However, there are many times that people receive human trafficking charges due to:
- Mistaken identity
- Faulty evidence
- Misunderstanding of the facts surrounding the case
Our sex crimes lawyers in Los Angeles are proficient in California’s human trafficking laws, and we demand justice for our clients. We fight to clear your name if you have been wrongfully accused or reduce charges to ensure you receive a lesser punishment.
Other Types of Sex Crimes in Los Angeles
In addition to rape, prostitution, and child sex crimes, you may face other sex crime charges in Los Angeles. No matter what type of sex crime charges you are being accused of, you need to take them seriously. These types of charges can lead to severe consequences and penalties that impact your reputation for the rest of your life.
That’s why no matter what charges you face, you need to hire a California sex defender lawyer as soon as possible. Examples of cases that our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers at Simmrin Law Group have experience representing include:
- Lewd conduct: Lewd conduct is the act of touching your own or another individual’s private parts to annoy the other individual, get sexual gratification, or cause offense.
- Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse is a broad legal category that includes any unwanted sexual activity in which an individual uses violence, force, or threats to perpetuate the action. Sexual abuse can also include contact-based and non-contact-based activities, including stalking and indecent exposure.
- Sexual battery: Sexual battery is a type of assault in which an individual touches or makes contact with an intimate part of another individual, without consent or against the will, with the intention of sexual gratification or abusing the victim.
Our sex crime attorneys provide free case reviews to help you understand your legal options and determine the most effective defense strategy. From there, we start working towards a favorable resolution, whether it be reducing your charges or fighting to get them dismissed altogether.
Failing to Register as a Sex Offender in California
Many sex crimes come with the severe punishment of lifelong registration as a sex offender. This can significantly impact your ability to be hired, retain a job, move into new neighborhoods, and get accepted into a university.
Some people skip out on mandatory registration, but failing to register as a sex offender can make matters worse. For failing to register as a California sex offender, penalties include up to three years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The punishments depend on the severity of your sex crime conviction and any prior failures to register as a sex offender.
Our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers have experience using various defenses for this charge. They include:
- Proving that the court failed to inform you of your requirement to register
- Demonstrating the existence of cognitive impairments that prevent you from understanding the need to register as a sex offender.
Charges You Could Face for Los Angeles Sex Crimes
In Los Angeles, not all sex crimes automatically qualify as felonies. Instead, some charges constitute misdemeanors. The nature of your penalties will depend on:
- The type of crime committed
- Your criminal history and record of sex crime offenses
- The severity of your sex crime
Some of the most common sex crime punishments our clients face include:
- Jail or prison sentences
- Parole or probation
- Fines or restitution
- Lifetime sex offender registration
- Mandatory counseling
- Creation of a criminal record
Many California sex crimes, like indecent exposure, are “wobbler” offenses. That means it’s possible to downgrade the charges from a felony offense to a misdemeanor. Our criminal defense attorneys will do whatever we can to minimize your sex crime penalties. We use defense strategies to reduce prison sentences and keep you off the sexual offender registration.
How a Los Angeles Sex Crime Lawyer Defends You
Every sex crime is different, but a skilled sex crimes attorney in Los Angeles will determine the most effective defense strategy for your case. Legal experts will investigate your charges, collect evidence, and consult with experts to build a compelling defense.
Proving Consent
In many sex crime cases, if we can prove the victim provided consent, your charges may get dismissed. Witnesses can provide testimonies demonstrating that the accuser agreed to the sexual acts. If there are no witnesses, your lawyer may collect evidence such as text messages or video surveillance to prove that the accuser displayed consent.
However, keep in mind that California laws do not permit sexual intercourse with anyone under the age of legal consent (18). Therefore, consent is not a viable defense for statutory rape cases. Instead, your lawyer will use other defense strategies to prove your innocence, such as showing how the accuser lied about their age.
Mistaken Identity
Another strategic defense to sex crime charges is claiming false identification.
If the identity of the person who committed the crime is in question, your defense lawyer can present enough evidence to provide reasonable doubt. A jury cannot convict you of a crime if they are not 100% sure you are at fault. In some cases, your lawyer may use DNA evidence to prove your innocence.
Lack of Criminal Intent
If you do not have a previous criminal record, your defense lawyer will use that to persuade the jury of your character.
In addition, they can call upon witnesses to vouch for you and prove that you are a morally righteous individual. These defense tactics allow our lawyers to reduce the severity of your sex crime charges.
Review Your Sex Crime Charges with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Now
If you are facing sex crime charges, the criminal defense lawyers at Simmrin Law Group are ready to represent your case. We offer free consultations to help new clients understand their charges and the legal options they can pursue.
Don’t let a sex crime accusation destroy your life. At Simmrin Law Group, we can fight for your rights, prepare a defense to the charges against you, and ensure you understand the legal process. Contact our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyer and legal team in Los Angeles now to schedule your case review.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form