Fountain Valley Sex Crime Lawyer

Home | Fountain Valley Sex Crime Lawyer

best fountain valley sex crime lawyer

Sex Crime Attorney In Fountain Valley, CA

Sex crimes are serious offenses that can result in harsh consequences if convicted. A sex offense conviction can lead to criminal penalties, including prison or jail time, and may also require you to register as a sex offender. For these reasons, it is important that you have a Fountain Valley sex crime lawyer on your side who can walk you through the process and help you understand your legal options.

About Jacqueline Goodman

Attorney Jacqueline Goodman has handled a wide variety of sex crime cases and secured positive results for her former clients. Since 2016, she has held the position of individual vice-chair for the Sex Crimes Defense Seminar under the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

If you decide to hire her as your Fountain Valley criminal defense lawyer, you can feel confident that you will have an experienced and successful advocate in your corner. Jacqueline Goodman understands that your future and freedom are at stake.

Ready to defend your rights? Schedule your consultation with our child pornography attorney in Orange County at 714-879-5770!

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.

The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman

Fountain Valley Sex Crime Laws

Sex crimes in California are, generally speaking, any type of illegal sexual activity. More specifically, these crimes involve another person, or a group of people, who did not or could not consent to the activity. In some cases, the physical act of touching doesn’t have to take place. The most frequently encountered sex crimes cover the following offenses:

  • Rape. Rape is defined as non-consensual sexual contact carried out by coercion or threats in Penal Code § 261. Rape can be proven by the victim’s refusal or incapacity to consent to the sexual contact; the victim does not have to physically resist the attacker.
  • Assault and battery. Penal Code § 243.4 defines sexual battery as when someone interacts with another person’s intimate area without that person’s consent, with the intention of abusing them or arousing their sexual desires.
  • Indecent exposure. The intentional display of one’s genitalia in public or in front of others is known as indecent exposure. The convicted defendant may be required to register as a sexual offender in addition to serving time in jail.
  • Child molestation. This is a serious offense that typically includes sexual activity with a minor. Legally, minors are not able to consent, so it does not matter if they verbally objected or not to the act.
  • Statutory rape. Having sex with a minor is considered statutory rape. Since minors are legally incapable of giving consent, it makes no difference if the minor consented to the act.

There were 4,050 adult felony arrests for sexual offenses in California. In 2023, 1,170 of these were for lascivious or lewd acts. That year, there were 35.1 rapes for every 100,000 people.

Sex Crime Penalties in California

Sex crimes are among the most serious criminal offenses in California, and they are punishable by severe legal consequences. These consequences include the following:

  • Criminal consequences. A sex crime conviction can result in state prison time, probation or parole, fines, mandatory counseling or treatment, and registration as a sex offender for life.
  • Civil consequences. Even if you avoid criminal charges, non-criminal sex offenses can affect your life in many ways. It is possible to face problems like housing and employment difficulties, professional license suspension, social stigma, and relationship troubles.

Because of the severity and extent of the consequences that a person can face when accused of a sex crime, it is important to seek help from a Fountain Valley criminal defense lawyer.

Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer

Sex crime conviction results in jail time and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration, with resulting difficulty in obtaining or maintaining employment, housing, or relationships. You can protect your rights if you hire a sex crime lawyer who can walk you through the criminal justice process.

A sex crime attorney can review the evidence and identify weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case prior to strategizing to fight the charges and either negotiate for reduced sex crime penalties or dismissal of the case. During the complex legal process, they help you make informed decisions.

Sex crime charges in Fountain Valley or surrounding areas may be prosecuted in the West Justice Center, or the matter may be adjudicated in the Central Justice Center or Harbor Justice Center as part of the Orange County Superior Court system if the charges are more serious.

SEX CRIME LAWS FAQ'S

Fountain Valley, CA

New California legislation has extended the scope of both registration and notification provisions for sex offenders. This means that for some crimes, registration lasts a lifetime, the registry must be updated more often, and residency restrictions are more severe. Treatment programs, reporting, and monitoring are also covered by the laws.

Contact The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman Today

If you have been charged with a sex crime in Fountain Valley, an attorney at The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman can help you in the legal process. Contact us today for more information.