Being charged with molestation can come as a terrible shock. These accusations can often involve multiple criminal charges and the prospect of severe penalties including fines and imprisonment if a conviction is reached. The potential impact such allegations could have on your reputation and livelihood is also intimidating. If you are facing a molestation-related charge, you have the right to a retain legal counsel to defend you against these charges in the court of law. If you need a molestation defense lawyer in Long Beach, Okabe and Haushalter can assist you. We have offices throughout Los Angeles county staffed by criminal defense specialists who are ready to aid you with your case.
California Penal Code Section 647.6 states that it is illegal to molest or annoy any minor under the age of 18. Any person determined to be behaving in a manner that displays “unusual sexual interest” in a minor could be fined and jailed under this law if a conviction is reached. However, for many defendants, this charge is not the only one they face, and it may be stacked along with other criminal offenses such as lewd and lascivious acts with a minor or rape.
People who are convicted of molestation face compulsory sex offender registration as outlined under California Penal Code Section 290. The process of registration involves making the personal data of the registrant available to local law enforcement agencies, area schools, employers, and the general public. Although registration under these circumstances is for a lifetime, there are some situations in which a registrant can request that their registration status is altered to “undisclosed,” which limits the ability of the general public to access the personal data of the registrant. Contact an attorney to learn more about requesting undisclosed status.
Hiring an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer can have a major impact on the outcome of your case. An adept attorney will review your case and the applicable legal codes in order to create a defense plan that will yield a desirable outcome when your day in court comes. Each case is unique, and a good attorney will create a defense plan tailored to your specific circumstances. These defense tactics can help to reduce charges via a plea agreement and could even yield a reduced sentence if convicted.
If you have been accused of committing the crime of molestation, a molestation defense lawyer in Long Beach is just a phone call away. The attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter can defend you against your criminal charges in court and will fight to get charges reduced and the sentences minimized in the case of a conviction. We offer case evaluations at no cost to you, so contact us today to discuss how we can put our legal expertise to work for you.
