It has been hard to turn on the news over the last month without seeing stories about disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein has been accused of sexual assault or rape by more than 90 women and has been on trial for the rape of two women over the last month. At Okabe & Haushalter, we want to discuss this case and the effects of media on those accused of sex crimes. Our Los Angeles sex crimes defense attorneys are here to help ensure that those accused of sex crimes get fair representation for their case.
We wanted to highlight the Harvey Weinstein case here, not because we think it needs even more publicity, but because it highlights how the media can completely take over an alleged sex crime case. From the start of this case, and in the spotlight of the #MeToo movement, it can be hard for the general public to even consider that there are two sides to a sex crime allegation.
Harvey Weinstein is currently on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting two women. Six women have testified in the trial, and as of this writing, the jury is deliberating whether or not Weinstein is guilty of the allegations.
Harvey Weinstein’s defense attorney has presented one side of the case that not many people are talking about – that both women, in this case, continued a consensual sexual relationship with Weinstein after the alleged sexual assaults took place.
Without getting into whether or not Weinstein is guilty of what he has been accused of, it could be argued that there is no way someone in his situation could have a fair or impartial jury. His case, and many others, has been played out in the media and generally only covers one side of events.
Similarly, we often represent clients who have been accused of sex crimes, including those accused of possession of child pornography, who receive unfavorable media coverage as soon as they are arrested. When an arrest is made, a person is supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, media coverage of sex crime charges often portrays the person charged as a predator, thereby tainting their image to the public and potential jurors. Prosecutors and law enforcement love this because it gives them the upper hand in any negotiations for a plea deal or a potential trial.
If you or a loved one have been accused of a sex crime, you need to seek assistance from a skilled and experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Okabe & Haushalter, we have vast experience defending clients against sex crime charges, and we are ready to get to work on your case immediately. Our goal is to analyze every bit of evidence in the case and work to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed altogether. We understand how detrimental sex crime conviction can be to you and your family, so let us get started today. When you need a Los Angeles sex crimes defense attorney, you can free consultation by clicking here or calling 310-543-7708 for a free consultation.
