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Stephen G. Rodriguez
& Associates
Attorneys at Law

633 West 5th St.
26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071

Telephone
(213) 223-2173

Sex Offenses
Sex Crimes Defense in California

Defense for Accused of Internet Sex Crimes
Rape & Statutory Rape Indecent Exposure
Lewd Conduct Sexual Battery

Los Angeles Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer
California Rape and Internet Sex Defense Lawyer

Sex crimes and sex offenses cover many behaviors, all with serious consequences.

In California, sex crimes include the following behaviors by and among adults.

  • Internet solicitation, online solicitation
  • Rape and statutory rape
  • Indecent exposure
  • Prostitution, solicitation
  • Aggravated sexual assault
  • Sexual assault or battery
  • Lewd acts in public

They also include a number of crimes against children (discussed in detail –see LaCriminalDefenseAttorney and go to the Child Abuse section)

If a person is accused of a sex offense and is proven guilty, he/she can be convicted of a felony and face a serious penalty, but the laws are complex. The penalties for sex crimes can range anywhere from unsupervised probation, fines, treatment programs, sex offender registration for life, county jail and even state prison. In addition, the accused or convicted person faces a lasting social stigma and often loses the ability to find work or housing.

California Law
Under California Penal Code 261.6, in determining whether or not a sex crime has been committed, it must be determined whether the victim consented to the act in question. Consent does not include:

  • The accused used a condom or other birth control device
  • The victim complied with the act to avoid possible injury or death
  • The victim didn’t resist the attack
  • The accused and the victim are or had been dating

California Internet Sex Crimes are also Federal Offenses
Online sex crimes are a growing area of sex offenses. These crimes mainly involve children and may include disseminating indecent materials to minors via chat rooms, child pornography, and endangering the welfare of a child by advertising child prostitutes. Because these offenses cross state lines via the Internet, a convicted person could face a tough combination of state and federal penalties.

Megan’s Law and California Sex Registration
Under California's Megan's Law, the names of convicted sex offenders can be viewed on the California site www.meganslaw.ca.gov. This allows the public to view information on sex offenders required to register with local law enforcement. However, approximately 25% of registered sex offenders are excluded from this public disclosure by law, based on the type of sex crime for which the person is required to register.

How The Right Attorney Can Help You
As you can see, sex offenses are serious, complex crimes that require complex defenses. There are a number of possible defenses available to a California sex crime charge, including:

  • Proven consent
  • Insufficient evidence
  • No witnesses
  • Mistaken identity
  • Lack of physical evidence (such as DNA)

If you’ve been accused of a sex crime, hiring the right defense attorney is absolutely critical for the best outcome of your case…and your life. Stephen G. Rodriguez can help you if you are charged with a sex crime by:

  • Arranging for bail, bail reduction, or for being released on your promise to return and appear in court
  • Understanding the possible penalties and likely outcome of the case
  • Hiring an investigator to interview witnesses and gather evidence favorable to your case
  • Negotiating with the prosecutor for a reduction of the charges and sentence
  • Presenting the best legal defense for your case and challenge the prosecutor to prove its case
  • Seeking alternative sentencing programs such as house arrest (electronic monitoring), residential treatment, counseling, and informal probation

Every Minute Matters If You Have Been Accused.
Attorney Stephen G. Rodriguez and his team have extensive experience in handling these types of cases in California. He can help defend you against these serious charges. Call the office and arrange for a free consultation to discuss the specific facts of your case.


Are You a Victim of a Sex Crime?
If you have been sexually assaulted or you feel you are a sex-offense victim, report the crime to the proper authorities, such as your local law enforcement. Help is available 24 hours a day at (800) 656-HOPE to guide you through the right process, and they can also help you seek victim counseling.

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