California Sex Crime Charges
There are many criminal charges that can be filed in a California sex crime case, and all of them carry potentially harsh punishment that can include jail or prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Fortunately, an experienced California defense lawyer can aggressively fight a sex crime charge. The top California defense lawyers of The Kavinoky Law Firm are well-versed in the most advanced defenses to sex crime charges, and will take every step available to fight for your rights.
California sex crime charges fall into two categories – misdemeanors and felonies. The main difference between the two is the possible punishment they carry. Misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in county jail, and can also result in a number of other penalties, including fines and sex offender registration. Felonies are punishable by a year or more in state prison and other substantial repercussions. Some California sex offenses fall into a category of offenses known as wobblers, which means they can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Prosecutors often choose to charge wobbler sex offenses as felonies because of the potential for harsher punishment.
These are some of the charges that can be filed in a California sex crime prosecution:
Internet pornography – also called sexually exploiting a child – can be charged against an adult who knowingly develops or exchanges any data or images that depict a minor engaged in sexual conduct. Advertising or distributing obscene materials or possessing such materials with the same content can also result in criminal charges.
Lewd or lascivious acts can be filed as a felony against an individual who willfully and lewdly commits a lewd or lascivious act with a child under the age of 14 or as a misdemeanor or felony against a person who does so with a child who is 14 or 15 years old if the accused is at least 10 years older than the child. Lewd or lascivious acts are prohibited under California Penal code section 288.
Rape can be charged against anyone who has sexual intercourse with someone (who is not the spouse of the accused) either against that person’s will or without that person’s consent. Spousal rape can be charged under similar circumstances when the accuser and the defendant are married. Statutory rape may be charged under any circumstances where the alleged victim is under 18.
Oral copulation charges can be filed if the accused either gives or receives oral sex with any person against his or her will. A sodomy charge can be filed when an individual’s penis or anus comes into contact with the penis or anus of another against that person’s will. If the accused uses a foreign object to penetrate the genital or anal opening of another under any of these circumstances, the individual can face additional charges.
Indecent exposure is a California sex crime charge that can be brought against an individual who either exposes him- or herself or persuades another to do so in a public place (or in a private home without consent) if the action is either offensive or done to provoke vicious or lewd thoughts.
Prostitution (California Penal code 647b) and/or pimping and pandering charges can be brought against an individual who solicits a prostitute, runs a “brothel” or procures another for the purpose of prostitution. If the accused is pimping a minor or pandering with a minor, additional repercussions can be applied.
Authorities can file bigamy charges against an individual who is simultaneously married to more than one person. Incest charges can be brought against individuals who marry or have sexual relationships with one another.
An individual who sexually assaults an animal for his or her own sexual gratification will be charged with sexually assaulting an animal.
Abduction for marriage may be charged against an individual who either forces a woman to marry him or another or against an individual who causes a woman to be defiled.
An individual who commits an act that is sexual in nature against a minor and thereby causes that minor to become a dependant of the state can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Any sex offense that is committed against a minor will likely result in enhanced sentencing, as that is typically considered an aggravating factor.
The bottom line is that California sex crime charges carry extremely harsh penalties, and your only chance of avoiding them is to fight back with the help of a skilled attorney. The experienced California defense lawyers of The Kavinoky Law Firm are skilled in every aspect of defending sex crime charges, and will do everything possible to safeguard your freedom and your reputation. Contact a top California defense attorney today at 1-800-NO-CUFFS for a free consultation.
