Child Molestation Attorney In Orange County, CA
Protecting children from misconduct and harm is paramount, which is why the state of California aggressively prosecutes child molestation cases. This is true even in circumstances where the defendant is innocent, and the allegations are the result of misunderstandings or even ulterior motives. Even being accused of child molestation can do unthinkable damage to your personal relationships and professional reputation, it is essential that you do everything in your power to avoid a conviction.
The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman is ready to hear your side of the story. Attorney Jacqueline Goodman is an experienced Orange County child molestation lawyer and Certified Criminal Law Specialist, meaning she has the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to aggressively defend you in and out of the courtroom. She works hard
Understanding the Impact of a Sexual Abuse Conviction in CA
Many child molestation crimes will be charged as felonies. In some instances, the severity of the charges and sentencing if convicted will depend on the age of the child, the scope of the offense, the criminal history of the defendant, and any other aggravating factors.
A conviction for a child molestation crime will typically lead to multiple years of incarceration and mandatory registration as a sex offender. A first-time offender convicted of lewd or lascivious conduct with a minor will be obligated to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 20 years. A second or subsequent conviction will result in sex offender registration for life.
A person’s registered sex offender status may be publicly accessible and will almost certainly appear in background checks. This means that registered sex offenders have an extraordinarily difficult time securing housing, employment, and other opportunities. Any kind of sex crime conviction can thus haunt you for many years after you have served a jail or prison sentence, underlining the importance of promptly seeking guidance from an experienced Orange County child molestation lawyer.
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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.
UNDERSTANDING CALIFORNIA’S CHILD MOLESTATION LAWS
Multiple sections of the California Penal Code address child molestation charges and punishments. As a general rule, a “child” in the state of California is considered to be anyone under the age of 18, though some statutes define charges involving minors who are of an even younger age.
It should come as no surprise that is unlawful to have sex with anyone who is under the age of 18, as a minor is considered unable to give consent. This act is formally referred to as “statutory rape.” Unlike some states, California does not have a “Romeo and Juliet” law, meaning a person still commits statutory rape whenever they have sex with a minor, even if they are a minor themselves or are close to the victim in age.
Several child molestation charges concern “lewd or lascivious acts.” A lewd or lascivious act involves touching a child’s body for sexual purposes or compelling a child to touch themselves or another person for sexual purposes. The offending physical contact does not necessarily have to involve bare skin.
Some California child molestation crimes do not involve any physical contact at all. It is unlawful to contact a child with the intent to commit a felony, including any sex crime. It is illegal to arrange a meeting with a child if one intends to engage in sexual activity. Sending explicit material with the goal of arousing or seducing them is also unlawful.
In some instances, allegations of a child molestation crime are the result of a misunderstanding of someone’s intent, especially where no physical contact has occurred. When you have been accused of any of these crimes, you need to discuss your defense options with an Orange County child molestation attorney right away.
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DEFENDING AGAINST CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES
The defenses available in your case will depend on your unique circumstances. You cannot be convicted of a child molestation crime if the alleged victim does not meet the age criteria for the specific offense you have been charged with at the time the act took place. It may be possible to argue that some forms of communication or contact with a minor also could have been misinterpreted as sexual in nature when they were in fact innocuous. And, unfortunately, there are scenarios where a defendant will face false accusations, at which point we will fight to reveal the truth.
Even if these defense options are not necessarily available, The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman is still prepared to explore every possible path forward. Attorney Goodman will walk you through your options, which may include pursuing reduced charges and sentencing that avoid the need to register as a sex offender.
Get the capable defense you need and deserve when facing these allegations. Fill out an online contact form or call 714-879-5770 today.