Sexual penetration with a foreign or unknown object, a sex crime in California, occurs when there is any penetration, no matter how slight, of the genital or anal opening of another, done for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or abuse, by any foreign object, substance, instrument, device or by any unknown object. Causing another to penetrate his or her own genital or anal opening for the same purpose will also constitute a sex crime offense, as will an attempt to penetrate. A foreign object, substance, instrument, or device includes any part of the body (other than a sexual organ) and an unknown object can include anything (including a part of the body) if the alleged victim does not know what is penetrating him or her. If convicted, the defendant faces severe penalties, which include up to nine years in prison for one offense (more if convicted of multiple acts), registration as a sex offender, pursuant to Penal Code 290, and a social stigma that will affect every facet of the defendant’s life. It is imperative that the accused hires a skilled California sex crime criminal attorney who knows how to successfully defend against this crime that will be viewed by the judge and jury as deviant sexual behavior.
The penalties for this offense vary. The less serious charges include situations where an individual penetrates a person under the age of 18 with a foreign or unknown object, or where a person so penetrates another who is incapable of giving consent due to a mental or physical disorder (a fact that was known or reasonably should have been known by the accused) and both the accused and the alleged victim are confined in a state hospital or treatment facility. Under either of these scenarios, the accused faces either a misdemeanor or a felony, punishable by up to one year in jail or prison and must register as a sex offender.
An individual who is over 21years of age and penetrates an individual younger than 16 years of age with a foreign or unknown object will automatically face a felony. If the alleged victim is under the age of 14 and more than 10 years younger than the accused, the accused faces three, six or eight years in prison. When charged with a crime against a child, it is even more critical that the accused retains counsel that specializes in this emotionally charged area of the law.
The more seriously punished cases involve force, threats or conspiracies. The accused will face a three, six or eight year prison sentence if he or she violated this law while using force, violence or threats of any kind to accomplish the act, or if he or she violated this law by penetrating an individual who wasn’t capable of consenting, due to a mental or physical disability (a fact that was known or reasonably should have been known by the accused), due to a state of intoxication (a fact that was known or reasonably should have been known by the accused), due to the fact that he or she was unconscious (a fact that was known by the accused) or by penetrating an individual who consented under the false belief that the accused was his or her spouse (a belief that was intentionally induced by the accused). The most serious charge results when the defendant is alleged to have voluntarily acted with another (either personally or by aiding and abetting the other) and penetrated the alleged victim with a foreign or unknown object and used force or violence to accomplish the act against that victim’s will. If proven, a five, seven or nine year prison sentence will be imposed.
The exceptional criminal defense lawyers at The Kavinoky Law Firm provide their clients with the most aggressive, carefully crafted and passionate defense possible. They have mastered this highly-charged area of the law and know how to effectively communicate all applicable defenses to the judge and jury. Contact them today for the most trusted legal advice and for a free consultation.
