Accusations of committing a sex crime can cause irreparable harm to your reputation and your relationships with friends and family. Worse yet, a conviction can result in spending time in prison and paying a large fine. Sex crime cases can stir up lots of emotions and lead to an overzealous prosecutor filing charges without getting the full story.
If you are facing a sex crime accusation, it is crucial to contact a Redlands sex crimes attorney right away. A sex crime defense lawyer in Redlands can review the details of your case and advise you on the next steps. Contact our team at Gramling Law Group today so we can start reviewing your case.
Types of Sex Crimes in California
Gramling Law Group represents individuals facing different sex crimes in California, such as:
- Sexual assault,
- Statutory rape,
- Child sexual abuse,
- Indecent exposure,
- Lewd acts with a child,
- Sexual battery,
- Soliciting prostitution, and
- Rape.
Sex crimes in California carry a wide range of penalties. Additionally, after some sex crime convictions, you are required to register as a sex offender. Landing on the sex offender registry can impact your ability to travel freely and keep your identifying information private.
A Redlands sex crime defense lawyer can negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact our office today to speak to a member of our team.
Statutory Rape in California
Statutory rape charges arise when an adult engages in sexual intercourse with a minor, also referred to as unlawful sexual intercourse. Unlawful sexual intercourse is a felony when the victim is more than three years younger than the accused. The potential penalties include up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The maximum prison sentence increases to four years, and the potential fine increases to $25,000 if the victim is younger than 16 at the time of the offense.
Unlawful sexual intercourse is only a misdemeanor if the accused and the victim are less than three years apart in age. A misdemeanor statutory rape charge carries potential penalties of up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Indecent Exposure in California
California Penal Code § 314 defines indecent exposure as willfully or lewdly:
- Exposing oneself or one’s private parts in any public place or place where other people are present to be offended or annoyed; or
- Procures, counsels, or assists any other person to expose themselves or take part in any model artist exhibition that is offensive to decency or adapted to excite vicious or lewd thoughts or acts.
Indecent exposure is considered a misdemeanor and carries a jail sentence of up to 364 days. When your liberty is at stake, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows the ins and outs of sex crime charges in California. Contact Gramling Law Group today to see how one of our lawyers can help you.
Lewd Acts with a Child in California
California Penal Code § 288 outlines the elements of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. The elements include:
- The accused touched any part of a child’s body willfully and lewdly, or willfully and lewdly caused a child to touch another person’s body, including their own;
- The accused committed the acts with the goal of arousing, gratifying, or appealing to their sexual desires or the sexual desires of the child; and
- The child was under 14 at the time of the encounter.
The statute also prohibits committing lewd or lascivious acts by use of fear, duress, violence, or force. A conviction for committing the acts described above is considered a felony and carries a potential sentence of up to eight years in prison, along with a fine of $10,000.
A felony sex crime conviction can affect every facet of your life. A sex crimes lawyer in Redlands, California, can level the playing field and protect your constitutional rights throughout the proceedings.
Soliciting Prostitution
California Penal Code § 647 says that soliciting any act of prostitution with a person 18 or older in exchange for providing them compensation is a form of disorderly conduct. Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor and can carry up to 364 days in jail.
A disorderly conduct conviction carries less severe penalties but will still appear on a background check. This can prevent you from securing certain jobs or receiving certain academic scholarship awards. An attorney can review the details of your case and negotiate with the prosecutor to obtain a favorable outcome.
Defenses to Sex Crimes in California
In some cases, a legal defense applies and negates a required element of the offense. A Badlands sex crimes attorney can help determine whether any valid legal defenses apply in your case. Defenses that might arise in a sex crime case include the following:
- The sexual contact was consensual,
- Mistaken identity,
- There is insufficient evidence to prove the accusation, or
- False accusations.
Law enforcement and prosecutors take sex crimes accusations very seriously, and you should too. If you are facing sex crime charges, contact Gramling Law Group as soon as you can.
Contact a Redlands Sex Crime Defense Lawyer at Gramling Law Group Today
Having a sex crimes attorney in your corner can make or break the goal of getting a good outcome for your case. An experienced sex crimes lawyer can offer several advantages, such as the following:
- Negotiating with the prosecutor to lessen your charges or dismiss your case,
- Determining whether a valid legal defense applies, and
- Providing a detailed explanation of the charges filed against you.
Our founding attorney, Daniel Gramling, is committed to providing his clients with the best representation possible at an affordable price. With experience as a public defender, Daniel has represented clients facing many different accusations. This prepared him to craft creative defense strategies.
Our team at Gramling Law Group treats every criminal case as if we were the ones facing the charges. Let us put our knowledge and experience defending people accused of California sex crimes to work for you.