California uses a number of unique charges to handle acts such as prostitution, indecent exposure, and sexual abuse. A conviction for any of these sex crimes could result in heavy fines and incarceration in a jail or prison. Additionally, you generally have to register as a sex offender if convicted of a sex crime.
While the penalties for a sex crimes charge can be severe, you do not have to face them alone. The Simmrin Law Group has sex crimes lawyers in the Santa Monica area who can provide you with excellent legal assistance.
Protect Yourself from Sex Crimes Charges
Sex crime charges are generally considered to be acts of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct. These charges are typically split up into different categories by the court system in California. There are a range of acts dedicated solely to abuse that involves children, including:
- Child Pornography
- Seduce or Solicit a Minor
- Statutory Rape
- Traveling to Meet a Minor
You could also face charges for acts such as:
- Indecent Exposure
- Lewd Conduct
- Prostitution
- Human Trafficking
- Rape
- Sexual Battery
Additionally, a sex crime conviction often comes with the requirement to register in California’s sex offender database. If you do not take this step you can be charged with failure to register as a sex offender.
Any sex crime conviction can lead to repercussions that follow you the rest of your life. Take steps to defend your future by contacting a Santa Monica criminal defense lawyer who can represent you in and out of the courtroom.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Child Sex Crimes in California
Charges related to sex crimes against children are handled particularly harshly by the Santa Monica legal system. The terms child sexual abuse and child molestation are often used to cover a wide range of other criminal acts, including any sexually motivated behavior that can disturb, irritate, or be seen by a child.
There are also laws against a number of specific acts involving children in California, including:
Child Pornography
Child pornography includes any sexual images of minors. You are not permitted to create, distribute, or use child pornography in any way. You can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony if you are accused of involvement with child pornography. You could face up to 8 years in prison if convicted.
Seduce or Solicit a Minor
You can be charged with seducing or soliciting a minor if you commit a sex offense with a minor with the use of the internet or a computer. A charge of seducing or soliciting a minor can be treated as a misdemeanor or a felony, and it may result in up to 4 years in prison.
Traveling to Meet a Minor
The charge of traveling to meet a minor is also called arranging to meet a minor for lewd purposes. It involves setting up a rendezvous with a minor that is based on sexual interest. You can face misdemeanor or felony charges for setting up a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes.
Statutory Rape
Statutory rape is the act of having sexual intercourse with an individual who is under the age of 18. This may also be referred to as unlawful sexual activity with a minor. California can treat statutory rape as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
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Charges for Indecent Exposure and Lewd Conduct in Santa Monica
You can be convicted of indecent exposure if you expose your private parts in a public area intentionally. Indecent exposure will be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on your circumstances. It can lead to 3 years in prison.
Lewd conduct is defined as asking someone to touch your private parts, touching your own private parts, or touching the private parts of someone else in public. This act is viewed as a misdemeanor by the court system.
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California’s Prostitution and Human Trafficking Charges
You can be charged for buying the services of a prostitute or for acting as a prostitute in the state of California. A first-time offense for any act of prostitution can result in up to 180 days spent in a jail. The penalties grow harsher if you commit multiple prostitution-related offenses.
Human trafficking is a more serious crime that occurs if you compel someone to do something illegal against their will. You can also be charged with human trafficking if you deprive someone of their liberty in order to get them to break certain laws or to provide you with forced labor.
You can face different repercussion based on the exact details of your case. Depending on your situation, you could spend up to 20 years in state prison if conviction of human trafficking.
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Sexual Battery and Rape Charges in Santa Monica
Sexual battery occurs if someone is subjected to unwanted sexual touching that does not result in intercourse. The court system can treat sexual battery as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances.
The act of rape involves forcing another person to engage in a non-consensual sex act. Rape can be carried out through physical force. You can also rape someone by drugging them or otherwise taking advantage of them while they are incapacitated.
Date rape is a subcategory of this form of sexual abuse. Charges of date rape are usually used if the accused party and the victim knew one another or were somehow involved.
Any form of rape is considered a felony in Santa Monica and a conviction can result in up to 8 years incarceration in a state prison.
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in California
A conviction for a sex crimes charge in Santa Monica usually comes with fines, time in jail or prison, and the requirement that you register as a sex offender for a specific period of time. If you fail to complete the registration process, you can face additional misdemeanor or felony charges.
Protect Yourself from Sex Crimes Charges
A sex crime conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. You can improve your odds in court by beginning to work on your defense as quickly as you can. The sex crimes lawyers at the Simmrin Law Group have experience helping their clients navigate the legal system in Santa Monica successfully. Find out how we can help you today by contacting us for a FREE consultation.
You can fill out the form on the right or call (310) 896-2723 to get to work on your case. We’re available any time.
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