What should you do if someone accuses you of a sex crime? Being charged with a sex-related offense can cause a whirlwind of feelings to arise inside you—fear, anger, and confusion. These accusations are serious and may have destructive consequences. Concerns about going to prison and even just having your reputation smeared are valid when a sex crime charge is leveled against you. It can be difficult to know where to turn for help if you have been accused of one of these crimes. If you need a sex crime defense lawyer, the attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter can provide you with qualified counsel in the courtroom.
The California Penal Code outlines myriad sex-related offenses in various sections of its text. Some of the more common sex crimes our defense attorneys have encountered in California courts are described below.
California Penal Code Section 243.4 makes it unlawful to commit an act of sexual battery. Sexual battery is defined as touching someone in a sexual way without their consent. Simple sexual battery may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. However, under some circumstances, sexual battery can be prosecuted as a felony, either because the party is unable to consent (due to medical or disability-related reasons) or because the party is physically restrained in some way. Fines, imprisonment, and sex offender registration are all possible punishments for someone convicted of sexual battery.
Rape is defined by California under Section 261 of its penal code as intercourse taking place without legal consent from all involved parties. A person who has sex with an unconscious person or a person who is highly intoxicated could be charged with rape. Incarceration, fines, and lifelong sex offender registration could all be penalties for someone who is convicted of rape.
Under California Penal Code Section 288, it is illegal to engage in an act with a child under 14 years of age for the purposes of sexual gratification. This could involve touching the child in question or asking the child to touch you or another person for these purposes. Anyone convicted of this offense faces the possibility of several years of incarceration in a penitentiary and fines of up to 10,000 dollars.
If you have been charged with one of these or any other sex crimes, our attorneys can help defend you in court.
The state of California is tough on crime, particularly sex crimes, and especially sex crimes involving minors. If you have been accused of a sex crime in California, your very liberty and freedom are in jeopardy. Just the accusation of a sex crime is enough to carry a stigma for the rest of your life, and a conviction of the same can completely devastate your life and the lives of your family.
Retaining the services of an El Segundo sex crimes defense attorney as soon as possible after arrest or indictment on sex charges is important. Ideally, you should reach out to Okabe & Haushalter at the beginning of the investigation into the crime so that our attorneys can help preserve your constitutional rights and begin forming your defense strategy. Some potential strategies that may apply in your case include:
Being accused of a sex crime can have devastating consequences. When you are ready to fight your charges in court, contact a sex crime defense lawyer in El Segundo at Okabe & Haushalter. We are experienced in defending our clients against sex crime allegations, and our aggressive tactics in the courtroom yield real results that could reduce charges and reduce sentences. We can evaluate your case free of charge and help you understand more about what options you have under the law. Contact us today and let us help you take the first step toward getting your life back on track.
At Okabe & Haushalter, our El Segundo sex crimes defense attorneys understand the ramifications of being charged with sex crimes and just how life-altering these charges can be. If convicted, your name is placed on the public registry of sex offenders, making it difficult or impossible to rent a home, get a job, or live a normal life. So much is riding on your ability to defend yourself against these charges. Our team of sex crimes defense attorneys can help.
