Jail or Prison Time
Sex crimes are sensitive and complicated cases that often involve allegations of sexual misconduct. If you are convicted of one of those crimes in Riverside, the conviction can haunt you for the rest of your life. As a result, if you are accused of a sex crime, you should reach out to an experienced Riverside sex crime lawyer as soon as possible. These lawyers know your future is hanging in the balance, and they are committed to treating you with the respect you deserve and helping you get the results you need.
Sex crimes in California are crimes that involve sexual activity or are crimes of a sexual nature. Although these crimes can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the facts of the case and the specific laws, these crimes are often serious offenses. That is why if you have been arrested or charged with a sex crime in Riverside, you need an experienced Riverside sex crime lawyer on your side, defending your rights and fighting on your behalf.
In California, there are numerous sexual behaviors that are considered criminal, including:
Sex crimes are serious offenses in California. This means your rights, livelihood, and freedom are at stake. For these reasons, if you have been charged with a sex crime, it is vital that you retain a dedicated and experienced Riverside sex crime lawyer immediately. Once hired, these knowledgeable lawyers can take on this legal battle to try to reduce your sentence, negotiate a lesser charge through a plea bargain, or even get your charges dismissed altogether.
Alejandro handled my criminal case. I was looking at a lot of time and he fought for me for over a year and a half and got me the best possible outcome. He was always honest and upfront about everything. Even after my criminal case was over he would still check on me just to see how I was doing. ( still does ) He was an absolute godsend and always encouraged me to not give up and keep going. Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer.
The penalties for sex crimes can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. For instance, in some cases, a sex crime conviction can count as a strike on your criminal record, which means with three strikes, you can automatically be at risk of a 25-years-to-life sentence in prison. However, if the sex crime is serious enough, it can be tagged as a one-strike case, where individuals can still be penalized with 25 years to life in prison, even if it’s their first conviction.
In addition, penalties can also include jail time, child visitation loss, child custody issues, loss of rights (such as the right to own a firearm), fines, probation, parole, counseling, a lifetime on the sex offenders registration list and tracking, as well as mandatory AIDS testing.
Megan’s Law was created in 1996 after seven-year-old Megan Kanka was raped and murdered by a man who had relocated across the street from Megan’s family without their knowledge. This law mandates that the California Department of Justice alert the public about specified registered sex offenders and allows agencies to notify the public about sex offender registrants found to be a public safety risk. Today, all the states in the country have some type of Megan’s Law.
If you have been arrested or charged with a sex crime, it can not only make life incredibly hard, but it can impact your future. This label can often affect employment opportunities as well as living arrangements. Plus, the stigma this title brings can tarnish your reputation in the community, often resulting in retaliation by the public.
For these reasons, if you are facing a sex crime charge, you should contact an experienced Riverside sex crimes attorney today. No matter if you have been charged with sexual battery or unlawful sexual intercourse, our knowledgeable legal team is here and ready to defend your rights and help you prepare the best case to avoid a conviction.
The accused is taken into custody. Police will ask basic discovery questions like name and address to identify a person, then pivot to more specific questions related to the incident.
You have the right to remain silent to avoid disclosing evidence that could potentially be self-incriminating, as well as the right to an attorney to defend you in court.
The police will take you in for booking — Police will fingerprint you and get and updated photograph for their records. After, you’ll be given a chance to contact your criminal defense lawyer.
The arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you’re going to plea. If you plead guilty, the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, your attorney will prepare for trial.
In the discovery stage, you’ll get to see exactly what evidence the prosecution has against you. This is when your attorney can make additional requests for evidence if need be and strengthen your defense.
Accepting the plea bargain is the last chance to plead guilty before the trial. Reduced charges may be presented to quickly settle the case and avoid trial.
The prosecutor presents the case to the jury. Any evidence or witness statements are shared at at this time. Afterward, it’s your lawyers turn to take the stands and share your side of the story. The jury will make a final verdict.
At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you were found guilty of. Decisions are based on the advised penalties for the specific charges in question.
Jail or Prison Time
Substantial Fines
Lengthy Probation
License Suspension
Mandatory Education
There is no perfect definition for sex crimes in California, primarily because of the variety of sex crimes indicated in the penal code. However, in general, sex crimes in California involve illegal sexual conduct or touching of the intimate body part of another against their will or consent. These crimes can be filed as either a felony or a misdemeanor, but most of them will require a lifetime sex offender registration if convicted.
The best way to defend against a sex crime charge is to work with a skilled and knowledgeable Riverside sex crime lawyer. However, some of the more common defenses that are used against sex crime charges in California include the following:
The amount of jail time a sex offender will get will depend on the sex crime they are charged with, the circumstances of the offense, and whether sentencing enhancements come into play. As a result, sex offenders may be looking at years in jail or prison, significant fines, formal probation, and a lifetime on the registered sexual offender list.
The district attorney is building their case against you right now. The Prosecutor will not take your charges lightly — Will you?