PC 288(a)
Lewd or Lascivious Acts With a Child
While sex crimes of any type are serious criminal allegations, those involving children are among the most difficult and the most devastating. Simply being accused of such a crime can tarnish one’s personal and professional reputation, often for years. Being convicted of sex crimes involving minors can subject individuals to long terms of imprisonment, harsh judgment from society, and numerous other life-changing penalties. If you or someone you know has recently been charged with California Penal Code (PC) 288(a) – lewd or lascivious acts with a child –it is important that you understand the severity of these allegations, the high stakes inherent to these cases, and the importance of working with experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys from our firm.
As defined by the statute, PC 288(a) is an offense involving the willful commission of any lewd or lascivious act upon a child under the age of 14. Additionally, this act must be committed with the intent to arouse, appeal to, or gratify the lust, passions, or sexual desires of a child. PC 288(a) is considered one of the most serious sex crime allegations one can face. Due to its nature and to the fact that many throughout society have strong opinions about crimes committed against minors, these charges pose extremely devastating criminal and social consequences.
As a felony offense, PC 288(a) is punishable by up to three, six, or eight years in prison. If this offense is committed with the use of force, violence, or fear, terms of imprisonment can be heightened to five, eight, or ten years in prison. Other charges and penalties can be pursued by prosecutors for various circumstances – including cases in which a minor is 14 or 15 years of age and the defendant is at least 10 years older. Regardless of the penalties and terms of imprisonment in your case, being convicted of PC 288(a) will require a person to register as a convicted sex offender, a punishment that can negatively impact your life for years to come.
Allow a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to Fight for You
At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers strive to protect our clients’ rights from the very first moment that they reach out to our firm for help. Every individual charged with a crime in the United States is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and our legal team works relentlessly to ensure that your right to due process is upheld through investigations and every stage of your case. Equipped with more than 50 years of combined experience and having represented a number of clients accused of sex crimes, our attorneys know full well that cases involving PC 288(a) demand the attention of proven legal minds. Please do not delay in learning more about the charges and penalties you face and what our firm can do to help.
Contact a Los Angeles sex crime attorney from Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP today.
