Several distinctive criminal offenses fall under the blanket term of “sex crimes.” Everything from sexual harassment to aggravated sexual assault can be termed a sex crime, and many of these offenses come with harsh penalties if a conviction is reached. If you have been accused of committing a sex crime in the Los Angeles area, talk to a sex crimes lawyer at Okabe and Haushalter to find out more about your legal options as a defendant in the courtroom.
All sex crimes are outlined under different parts of the California Penal Code, and each one results in different consequences for those who are convicted.
Sexual battery is defined under Section 243 of the California PC as any unwanted touching that is sexually motivated or intended for unlawful sexual gratification, and the possible punishments for those convicted depend on whether the crime is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanor sexual battery could result in fines of 2,000 dollars and up to one year in a local jail, while those convicted of felony sexual battery could have to pay larger fines and face serving up to four years in a state penitentiary.
Section 261 of the California Penal Code defines rape as intercourse accomplished illegally or intercourse that lacks mutual consent. Penalties for those convicted of rape include up to eight years in a state penitentiary, or more than a dozen years of imprisonment if one of the involved parties was a minor.
Under California Penal Code Section 290, people who are convicted of most sex crimes must register as sex offenders, usually for life. Registering your data means that the general public will have access to personal details such as your address, your date of birth, your photo, and the charge you were convicted of. In some cases, registrants are able to request that their data be made available only to law enforcement agencies, schools and employers. While this “undisclosed” status does not remove your information from the database itself, it does limit who has access to your personal information. Contact Okabe and Haushalter to learn more about petitioning for undisclosed status.
Okabe and Haushalter can take on any sex crimes case and negotiate on your behalf in court. Some of the types of cases we handle include:
If you are being charged with a sex crime and live in Los Angeles County, contact a sex crimes lawyer in Venice at Okabe and Haushalter to find out more about your legal options as a defendant in a criminal case. Our attorneys will work together with you to craft a solid defense plan with the goal of getting the results we are renowned for. We can help you stand up against the charges you are facing with the goal of reducing charges and penalties or even having charges thrown out altogether. Call today for a free case assessment.
