Los Angeles Sex Crimes Lawyer

The California Penal Code outlines various criminal offenses and the recommended penalties for conviction, and the penalties associated with sex crimes are generally quite severe. As a result, Los Angeles prosecutors tend to seek convictions in all sex crime cases very aggressively, especially when the alleged victim is a minor. Unfortunately, proving the truth behind some accusations of sex-based criminal offenses can be challenging, and many cases reduce to one party’s word against another’s.

Criminal Defense Representation for Los Angeles Sex Crime Charges

If you or a family member has been charged with any sex offense in Los Angeles, you need criminal defense representation you can trust. The right defense team can potentially help their client avoid the worst possible penalties they face, or they may even manage to help them to avoid conviction entirely. But ultimately, if you want the best chances of reaching positive results for your impending case, you need to secure defense counsel as soon as possible.

The Law Office of Stein & Markus has decades of professional experience representing clients in all types of criminal cases, including sex crime cases. It’s easy to feel as though the system is pitted against you in this situation, but the right attorney can potentially help you reach much better results than you initially expected. We defend our clients’ rights aggressively and ensure the criminal justice system operates as it should in every case we accept. Our team in Los Angeles has helped many past clients secure much better results than they expected in seemingly hopeless situations.

Know Your Rights After Arrest Involving Sex Offenses

The Constitution of the United States upholds the rights of all American citizens, two of which come into play in critical ways in a criminal case. First, the Fifth Amendment upholds the right to remain silent during an arrest. You are not legally obligated to act as a witness against yourself, and you do not have to answer any questions from the police once they place you under arrest. Some may think this would seem combative or that a suspect remaining silent is inherently suspicious and a sign of guilt. Some also mistakenly believe that hiring a defense attorney is only a concern for the guilty and that they can explain their way out of situations in which they’ve been wrongfully charged.

The reality is that anything you say during arrest and booking can potentially be used against you, and there is no incentive for the police to help you. Many attempt to secure convictions in whatever way they can, and some stretch or even break the bounds of their professional duties in handling arrests throughout Los Angeles County. It is always best for an arrested defendant to remain silent and to respectfully comply with instructions from arresting police officers. Resisting arrest in any way can easily lead to more charges added against you, even if you know the situation is unjust.

The second constitutional right you must understand in this difficult situation is the right to legal counsel, upheld by the Sixth Amendment. Every US citizen has the right to an attorney when they’re charged with a crime, even if they are unable or unwilling to pay a private criminal defense attorney’s fees. If a defendant cannot or will not hire private counsel, the court can appoint a public defender to represent them for free. To some defendants, this would seem like an easy way to get the legal representation they need while avoiding legal fees. The reality, however, is that even the most exceptional public defenders cannot give their clients a lot of individual attention.

While most Los Angeles public defenders do their best for their clients, they are inherently required to handle multiple cases at a time. If you have a public defender represent you, you might only get their attention on your case for an hour or so each day. Choosing an experienced private criminal defense team can ensure more personalized and responsive representation throughout all stages of your case. Additionally, a private defense attorney can devote more time to your case in a shorter time span, significantly improving the chances of catching early defensive options that can substantially streamline your case.

The Law Offices of Stein & Markus have years of experience handling criminal defense for clients in Los Angeles, and we know how distressing an arrest can be for anyone. California’s Penal Code outlines a wide range of sex offenses, and while some qualify as misdemeanors, most constitute felonies, and the penalties for most sex crimes in the state are often severe. Our team can provide the responsive defense representation you need after an arrest for any type of sex crime in Los Angeles.

Lewd and Obscene Conduct in Public

Some of the state’s most commonly prosecuted sex offenses pertain to sexual activity in public, indecent exposure, and other obscene conduct in public spaces. It is vital for anyone who engages in such behavior to remember that the people nearby who view their behavior could potentially file civil suits against them. Additionally, engaging in lewd or obscene conduct in public while in view of children, on school grounds, or near any childcare center can immediately qualify as a felony.

Indecent exposure is the public revealing of one’s naked body, and public indecency can apply to any consensual or solitary sexual act performed in public space. For example, a couple engaging in intercourse on a public bus or a single person masturbating in view of others in a public space could all face charges of public indecency, outlined in California Penal Code 647. Any sex offense that falls within the purview of “lewd conduct” is likely to qualify as a misdemeanor, and penalties can include six months or a year or more in county jail, fines, and a stay-away order preventing them from returning to the location where they committed their offense.

Crimes Involving Prostitution

Prostitution and all related activities are illegal in the state. Offering to sell sexual service, pimping, and attempting to purchase sexual service in California are all crimes eligible for prosecution under the California Penal Code. Loitering while attempting to buy or sell sexual services in the state can lead to a misdemeanor charge and a year of jail time. Any form of pimping is a felony punishable by three, four, or six years in state prison. Many individuals charged with pimping and other criminal organization surrounding prosecution are often revealed to have willingly or unknowingly participated in human trafficking operations, opening up the possibility for even more serious criminal charges and potential prosecution in federal court.

Possible Penalties for Sexual Assault and Battery in Los Angeles, CA

Some of the most severe sex crimes prosecuted in the state and throughout the United States pertain to acts of forced sexual intercourse and other sexual contact, such as groping, molestation, or forcible sexual penetration of any kind. The term “sexual battery” is a blanket term used to describe any such situation in which unwanted physical contact is made in a sexual manner. The severity of the penalties for this type of behavior depends on the scope of the defendant’s actions and the alleged victim’s age.

When prosecuted as a misdemeanor, sexual battery can lead to more than a year in jail and thousands of dollars in fines. The victim may also have grounds for a civil suit against the defendant. If the defendant caused physical injury and other damages, the victim could sue them for their economic losses and their pain and suffering. At the felony level, a defendant faces two to four years in state prison and up to $10,000 in fines, civil liability for the victim’s damages, and sex offender status, possibly for life.

Rape and Statutory Rape

Rape is the most severe form of sexual battery prosecutable in the state and pertains to any incident in which one party forces another into sexual intercourse or sexual penetration of any kind. Rape occurs whenever one party is unwilling, unconscious, mentally unable to consent, or intoxicated. State law outlines various forms of rape, and there are many levels of punishment a defendant may face depending on the scope of their actions. For example, the use of a weapon, physical violence, immediate threats of harm, or other aggressive coercion substantially escalates a defendant’s penalty.

The term “statutory rape” applies to a situation in which one party is above the age of consent while the other is below it. The age of consent in the state is 18, but the state does have some provisions that can prevent teenagers in consensual relationships from facing criminal penalties for engaging in consensual sex with a moderate age gap. Statutory rape laws in the state are meant to prevent the sexual exploitation of minors by adults.

The most severe sex crimes a person can commit involve crimes against children. Possession, distribution, or production of child pornography, lewd acts with a minor, or rape of a minor can all lead to felony prosecution, many years behind bars in state prison, and tens of thousands of dollars in fines. Victims of child sex abuse can also file civil lawsuits against their abusers, and there is almost never a statute of limitations that would apply to any civil suit pertaining to the sexual abuse of a child.

Seek Justice and Support for Victims of Rape

At Stein & Markus, we understand the devastating impact that rape can have on individuals and their loved ones. Our experienced team of Los Angeles sex crime attorneys is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation for victims of rape.

Why choose us for your rape case:

• Extensive knowledge and experience: Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the laws and regulations surrounding rape cases in California. We stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments to provide the best possible defense for our clients.
• Personalized approach: We recognize that every rape case is unique, and we tailor our legal strategies to meet the specific needs and circumstances of each client. Our team works closely with victims to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
• Comprehensive support: Our commitment to our clients goes beyond the courtroom. We provide emotional support and guidance throughout the legal process, connecting victims with resources and support networks to help them heal and move forward.
• Strong advocacy: We are dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of rape victims. Our skilled litigators will aggressively pursue all available legal avenues to hold perpetrators accountable and seek the compensation and closure our clients deserve.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of rape, don't face the legal process alone. Contact Stein & Markus today to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.