Los Angeles Sex Crimes Lawyer
Experienced Defense Against Sexual Offenses in Los Angeles County
If you are facing charges for a sex crime in Los Angeles, having an experienced and skilled attorney on your side is essential. At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, our Los Angeles sex crimes attorneys understand the serious nature of these charges and the impact they can have on your life. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully defending clients against sex crime charges. We believe in providing compassionate and aggressive representation to help protect your rights and future. If you have been accused of a sex crime in Los Angeles, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help.
Are you facing a sex crime charge in California? Call Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP today at 888-643-2943 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our sex crimes attorney in Los Angeles!
Types of Sex Crime Charges in California
In California, there are several types of sex crime charges that a person can face. Some of the most common sex crimes charges include
- Sexual assault
- Rape
- Indecent exposure
- Prostitution
- Solicitation
- Lewd or lascivious acts with a child
- Lewd acts in public
- Penetration with a foreign object
- Internet sex crimes such as child pornography
Our Los Angeles sex crime lawyers at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP are equipped to represent all of these charges, and more. If you are being investigated or have already been arrested for a sex crime, contact us today.
What are the Penalties for Sex Crimes in California?
The penalties for sex crimes in California vary depending on the specific crime, the circumstances surrounding the offense, and the defendant’s criminal history. Some common penalties for sex crimes include:
- Imprisonment: Depending on the specific sex crime and the circumstances surrounding the offense, a conviction can result in a sentence ranging from a few years to life in prison.
- Fines: In addition to imprisonment, convicted offenders may be ordered to pay fines for their sentence.
- Probation: Some sex crime convictions may result in a probation period, during which the defendant must comply with strict conditions such as regular check-ins with a probation officer and staying away from victims.
- Community service: In some cases, a convicted sex offender may be required to perform community service as part of their sentence.
- Counseling: Many sex crime convictions require the offender to undergo mandatory counseling or treatment to address underlying issues contributing to the offense.
- Mandatory registration as a sex offender: When convicted of most sex crimes it is mandatory to register as a sex offender. This registry is a public record and anyone can view it and see that you have been convicted of a sex crime. In addition, a registered sex offender’s residential information is a matter of public record.
- Job & housing difficulties: Having a sex crime conviction can limit your job and housing opportunities because employers and landlords are reluctant to take risks when hiring individuals with criminal records. If you are on the registry, you are also not allowed to live or be near certain areas with children, such as schools and parks.
- Negative effect on custody cases: We have unfortunately seen in our years of experience that people too often falsely accuse spouses and exes of sex crimes. Children are sometimes convinced to lie in order to seek some kind of revenge for a break-up. This can have devastating and tragic results.
We understand what is at stake when facing sexual charges. Our sex crimes lawyers in Los Angeles are ready to put our decades of experience defending sex crimes on your side.
California Sex Offender Registration Requirements
In California, individuals convicted of certain sex offenses are required to register as sex offenders under the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). The registration requirements are as follows:
- Frequency of registration: The registration frequency depends on the offense’s severity and the offender’s criminal history. Most offenders must register annually, but some offenders may be required to register every 90 or 30 days.
- Information required: Sex offenders must provide personal information such as their name, address, date of birth, physical description, and current photograph. They must also provide information about their criminal history, including the offense(s) they were convicted of and any aliases they have used.
- Duration of registration: The duration of registration depends on the severity of the offense and the offender’s criminal history. For most offenders, registration is required for life, but some offenders may be eligible to petition for removal from the registry after a certain period of time.
- Public access: Sex offender registration information is made available to the public through the Megan’s Law website. This information includes the offender’s name, photograph, address, and offense(s) of which they were convicted.
It is important to note that failure to register as a sex offender in California is a criminal offense and can result in additional penalties. If you have been convicted of a sex offense in California and have questions about your registration requirements, it is important to consult with an experienced drug crime defense attorney in Los Angeles who can provide you with guidance and advice specific to your case.
Defenses For Sex Crime Charges
Defending against sex crime charges can be challenging, but there are several defenses that a skilled criminal defense attorney can use to protect a defendant’s rights and interests. Some common defenses for sex crime charges in California include:
- Consent: If the alleged victim consented to the sexual act, the defendant may not be guilty of a sex crime.
- False accusations: Sometimes, sex crime allegations are made falsely or for ulterior motives. A skilled defense attorney can investigate the case and present evidence that the allegations are unfounded.
- Mistaken identity: In some cases, the alleged victim may identify the wrong person as the perpetrator of a sex crime. A defense attorney can investigate the case and present evidence to show that the defendant was not the person who committed the offense.
- Lack of evidence: Prosecutors are burdened to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If insufficient evidence supports the charges, a defense attorney can argue that the case should be dismissed.
- Police misconduct: In some cases, law enforcement officers may have violated a defendant’s constitutional rights during the investigation or arrest. If this is the case, a defense attorney can argue that the evidence should be suppressed or the case should be dismissed.
Contact Our Los Angeles Sex Crimes Attorney Today
The challenge is that a sex crime usually involves just two people and it is the word of one against another. You want to make sure that the criminal defense attorney whom you hire is aggressive, experienced, cannot be fooled and will not fail to fight for your rights. Our firm has over 50 years of combined experience defending clients. We are not afraid to go to trial when we cannot get the case dismissed or charges dropped.
Contact Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP today to schedule a FREE case review with our sex crimes lawyer in Los Angeles!