Molestation is a criminal offense in California outlined under Section 647.6 of the California Penal Code. This law states that it is illegal to molest or annoy a minor under the age of 18 for the purposes of sexual arousal. In some cases, molestation charges may be brought up alongside other criminal charges outlined in other portions of the state law. No matter what, if you have been charged with child molestation or a related charge, you need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you need a molestation defense lawyer in Redondo Beach, Okabe and Haushalter can assist you.
There are other parts of the California Penal Code that describe crimes involving sexual activity with minors that might accompany molestation charges under Section 647.6. For example, Section 288 outlines lewd and lascivious behavior with a minor. Penalties for this charge vary depending on the actual age of the minor in question and the age of the alleged perpetrator. In some cases, Section 261.5’s laws regarding statutory rape may also apply. Possible penalties for any of these offenses include jail or prison time, fines, and compulsory sex offender registration.
Another possible penalty faced by people convicted of molestation is sex offender registration. Anyone who is convicted of molestation or related offenses under state law must register as a sex offender under Section 290 of the California Penal Code. This law requires registrants to provide personal information (name, address, date of birth, and conviction details) to the general public, and keep the information up-to-date, for example, providing a new address after moving. Registration could be temporary or it could be lifelong depending on the charges you are convicted of. For lifetime registrants, although removal from the registry is not an option, there are some circumstances under which you can request your status be “undisclosed” to the general public. Contact Okabe and Haushalter to learn more about undisclosed status as a registrant.
Each case is unique, but a good defense attorney will analyze the individual circumstances surrounding the charges against you and find the best way forward. In some cases, this could mean reducing a stack of criminal charges to a single charge via a plea bargain, which could lead to minimized sentencing if convicted. In other cases, a conviction may be avoided entirely by presenting a defense that points to your innocence. An attorney will inform you of all your options and help you understand which defense path is the most sensible choice in your case.
If you need a molestation defense lawyer in Redondo Beach, the attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter are here to help. We will advocate for you in court and fight until a desirable outcome is reached for your case. We can help you get charges and sentences reduced, and we have a record of real results to prove our criminal defense expertise. We offer case assessments at zero cost to you, so call today for a free consultation.
