We are living in a time in which many people are coming out publicly about sexual crimes perpetrated against them. Unfortunately, this may mean that innocent people are caught in the crosshairs. Our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers at the Simmrin Law Group have experience working on solid defense strategies to help clients avoid some of the devastating penalties associated with sex crimes allegations and convictions.
Rape and Related Crimes
Rape is a very serious accusation and can occur in several situations. In order to get a conviction of rape in Los Angeles, the onus is on the prosecution to prove several elements in the case. They must show that sexual intercourse occurred and that it was non-consensual. However, failing to get consent can mean several different things, including:
- The alleged victim was forced into sex.
- They were threatened with physical force.
- They were blackmailed into sex.
- They were drugged and thus unable to consent to sex.
- The sex occurred while the alleged victim was asleep, unconscious, intoxicated, etc.
Legally speaking, rape is not always clear-cut, and cases can be very complex. The best chance of proving your innocence is to enlist the services of a skilled Los Angeles sex crimes lawyer like the ones we have at the Simmrin Law Group.
Date Rape
There is no specific “date rape” statute in the California Penal Code for sex crimes. However, it is a kind of rape that is often erroneously alleged. Date rape cases typically have some elements in common and there is a clear relationship between the accuser and the defendant:
- The two people knew each other prior to the event.
- The two people met at a party or other gathering.
- They were dating or otherwise romantically or sexually involved.
- At least one of the two people was intoxicated during intercourse.
Given the common element of intoxication in these cases, there can be confusion as to whether or not the sexual activity was consensual and later regretted or was non-consensual and therefore legally rape. One way to protect yourself from false accusations is to contact one of our experienced defense lawyers in Los Angeles.
Statutory Rape
California has strict laws regarding statutory rape, and many people may find them confusing. 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 1 year in jail and $1,000 fine
- Felony charges: up to 4 years in state prison and $10,000 in fines.
In some cases, the charge may be reduced to unlawful sexual activity with a minor, which our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers are also able to handle. For both of these charges, unlike other sex crimes involving minors or children, you may not have to register as a sex offender. The consequences can still affect college, work, and housing applications.
Charges Related to Prostitution
Though the modern era has seen a social push in favor of sex work, prostitution is still illegal and can carry serious consequences. The legal definition of prostitution does not require the actual sexual act to have occurred, so you can be charged with the crime even if it is only alleged that you agreed to exchange sexual favors for money or other compensation.
At the Simmrin Law Group, our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers may be able to help you by providing such defense strategies as:
- Challenging evidence
- Alleging illegal entrapment
- Arguing for mistaken identity
Solicitation of a Prostitute
It is not only illegal to engage in prostitution. You may also be charged if you are the one who is alleged to have paid or agreed to pay for sexual favors. This charge, called “solicitation of a prostitute,” can lead to unsavory penalties like three months in jail and a hefty fine. Contact our sex crimes lawyers in Los Angeles today so that they can begin working on a defense strategy to prove your innocence or lower the charges.
Solicitation of a Minor
If it is alleged that you attempted to seduce or solicit a minor using a computer, there are even more serious consequences that you may face. This includes having to register as a sex offender, which is a status that can devastate your life. The charge is typically used when it is alleged that you:
- Tried to lure a child away from their parents or a safe location
- Gave harmful or immoral material to a minor
- Attempted to meet with the child for explicitly sexual purposes
Our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers are up to date on internet detective skills and can come to your aid to help defend against these serious allegations.
Sex Crimes Involving Children
Sexual crimes against children are taken very seriously by both the court system and the general public, so even the mere allegation of misconduct can carry lifelong penalties. This is one legal area in which you absolutely need to have an experienced sex crimes defense team on your side. Our sex crimes lawyers have experience defending clients from many different sex crimes involving children, including the following.
- Child Molestation
- Possession, Manufacture, or Distribution of Child Pornography
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Traveling to Meet a Minor
Penalties for a conviction of such crimes can include lifelong sex offender registration, years of state prison time, felony offender status, and fines that can reach into the $100,000 range. Of these, perhaps the most serious is having to register as a sex offender, which can make it difficult to find a home or be hired, as this will appear on all background checks. To avoid these harsh consequences, it is imperative that you contact one of our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers as soon as possible.
Other Sex Crimes
There are plenty of other sex crimes that you may be charged with in Los Angeles. Some are generally perceived to be less serious, but in fact all can carry very harsh penalties. For example, a charge of indecent exposure is often considered less serious in the public eye than a charge of rape. However, an indecent exposure conviction will require you to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life, and that is the same status as someone convicted of rape!
Examples of other charges for which our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers have experience include:
If you face any sexual misconduct allegation, make sure to contact one of our experienced Los Angeles sex crimes attorneys as soon as you can so that they can begin working toward the best possible resolution to your case.
Human Trafficking
A charge of human trafficking is one of the most intense allegations a person can face. This is because 2012 laws made human trafficking always a felony offense. As such, it carries serious consequences, including:
- Up to life in prison
- Fines of up to $500,000
- Registration as a sex offender
The laws are strict about this offense because it can be related to forms of sexual slavery, but there are many times that people may be charged with human trafficking due to mistaken identity, faulty evidence, or a misunderstanding of the facts. Our sex crimes lawyers in Los Angeles have the proper understanding of the law and can help clear your name or reduce the charges if you have been wrongfully accused.
Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
Many sex crimes come with the especially severe punishment of lifelong registration as a sex offender. This can greatly impact your ability to be hired or retain a job, move into new neighborhoods, get accepted into universities, and more. Some people may be tempted to skip out on the mandatory registration, but failing to register as a sex offender can make matters even worse.
Penalties for failing to register include:
- Up to 3 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
These penalties depend on the severity of your initial sex crime conviction as well as the existence of any prior instances in which you failed to register as a sex offender. Our Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers have experience using a variety of defenses for this charge, including a failure of the court to inform you of your requirement to register or the existence of any cognitive impairments that make it difficult for you to understand the requirement.
Talk to a Los Angeles Sex Crimes Lawyer for FREE
If you have been charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles, our sex crimes lawyers are standing by to take your call. At the Simmrin Law Group, we offer a FREE initial consultation to potential new clients during which time we can try to help you understand the nuances of your case, as well as any possible defense strategies. To contact us, fill out the form to the right of this page or call our Los Angeles lawyers at (310) 997-4688.
