The new law for sex offenders in California is SB 384, which went into effect in 2021. This law shifts participation in the sex offender registry from mandatory lifetime participation for everyone to a three-tiered system for adults, which allows petitions for removal after 10 or 20 years for some lower-level offenders. The highest tier still requires lifetime registration.
Buena Park Sex Crime Lawyer
Sex Crime Attorney In Buena Park, CA
Being accused of a sex crime is no small matter. The state of California takes this category of criminal behavior very seriously, and you should, too. The first thing you should do upon being arrested is seek out a Buena Park sex crime lawyer who can help you craft an effective defense against the charges being brought against you.
Trust Goodman Criminal Litigation
Jacqueline Goodman, the founding attorney here at The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman, has extensive experience in taking on high-level sex crime cases and criminal defense cases in Buena Park. She is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and has many years of experience with sex crime litigation. Don’t lose hope if you’ve been accused of a serious sex crime. Turn to our team for help.
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Renowned Success Rate
Criminal cases are often complicated. There are two sides to every story, and it is important that the court sees the situation clearly. We can help defend you in your criminal case and make sure your perspective is heard.
Thank you, Jacqueline Goodman!! I appreciate everything your law office has done to support in this case. Grateful for finally able to see a date, he will be able to return home.
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Why Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer?
Only one in three alleged victims, on average, reports sex crimes to law enforcement. For every 1,000 reported assaults, approximately 50 result in an arrest, and roughly 25% of alleged perpetrators are ultimately sentenced to incarceration. These figures highlight how evidence-driven sex crime prosecutions tend to be. When charges do move forward, the consequences can be serious.
If you are among the individuals facing sex crime allegations in Buena Park, you should not assume the odds are in your favor. It is critical to hire a sex crime lawyer to protect your rights. Your Buena Park sex crime attorney can help you in many ways. They can help you understand the nature of the charges being brought against you and decide whether you want to take a plea deal or go to trial.
If you opt to go to trial, your lawyer can help you use the available evidence to construct a narrative of the events that shows you in a positive light, helping to prove your innocence or otherwise obtain a non-guilty verdict.
What’s Considered a Sex Crime in California?
California defines sex crimes as any unwanted touching of someone’s intimate parts, up to and including nonconsensual intercourse. These crimes are usually defined as sexual assault and battery.
Sexual assault and battery involve the intimate touching of another person while they are being restrained. The defendant must have touched the alleged victim for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification or arousal, or of committing an act of sexual abuse. The alleged victim must have been touched against their will, either over or under the clothes.
If sexual assault and battery lead to unwanted intercourse, that’s considered rape. It’s also considered rape to have sexual intercourse with anyone who is incapable of giving consent due to a mental handicap or the use of any kind of intoxicating substance.
Potential Consequences for Sex Crimes in CA
There are three types of sexual battery that can be committed in California, each of which has a different set of potential punishments:
- Misdemeanor sexual battery: If you’ve been convicted of committing a misdemeanor sexual battery, you could be sentenced to up to six months in jail and face a fine of up to $2,000, or up to $3,000 if the victim worked for you. You may also face a claim in civil court.
- Felony sexual battery: Felony sexual battery can result in imprisonment for up to four years and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Rape: The nature of the crime and the victim’s age can impact the potential punishment for rape. Usually, rape carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison. If the victim is under 14, the maximum term is 14 years. If the victim is over 14 but still a minor, the maximum sentence is 11 years. Habitual offenders are subject to imprisonment of up to 25 years. Felony rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Possible Defenses Against Sex Crime Charges
The defense your lawyer chooses to use at the Orange County Superior Court will depend on the nature of the crime you’re being accused of committing. The most common defense for most sex crimes is consent, although that defense is not applicable if the alleged victim was a minor.
SEX CRIME LAWS FAQ'S
Buena Park, CA
Your Buena Park Sex Crime Lawyer
If you’ve been accused of committing any kind of criminal sexual act, you need to take the situation seriously and hire a Buena Park sex crime lawyer right away. You can trust Jacqueline Goodman at Goodman Criminal Litigation to help. She has years of experience in interpreting sex crime laws and taking on challenging cases. She can help you, too. Contact the firm today to schedule a consultation.