Orange County Sexual Assault Lawyer

What Acts Are Prohibited Under the Law?

California’s law concerning sexual assault criminalizes various types of conduct.

It is illegal for a person to touch the intimate parts of another when they are:

• Unlawfully restrained: For example, when a person is held against their will or not free to leave.
• Institutionalized for medical treatment: Such as when they are a patient in a hospital or other medical facility.
• Unconscious of the nature of the touching: When they do not understand the true reason for the contact.

Furthermore, a person could be accused of committing sexual assault if they make someone masturbate or touch the intimate parts of someone else.

For an offense to be illegal under the law, the alleged victim must not have consented to the touching, and the contact must have been done for the purposes of sexual gratification, sexual arousal, or sexual abuse.

In real cases, the question of consent and the accused person’s intent are often hotly disputed, especially when the people involved know each other or disagree about what happened. We can review witness statements, any available video, and communications such as text messages or social media to determine whether the prosecution in Orange County can actually prove every required element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Are the Penalties for Sexual Assault?

In California, sexual assault is a wobbler offense, which means it can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.

A person convicted of this offense could be punished as follows:

• Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines
• Felony: 2, 3, or 4 years in prison and/or up to $2,000 in fines

Beyond jail or prison and fines, a sexual assault conviction can affect where you are allowed to live, your employment options, and your professional licenses, and it can damage your reputation in your community. An experienced sexual assault lawyer Orange County defendants hire can explain how sentencing works in local courts, whether probation is realistic, and what collateral consequences you might face if you plead guilty or are convicted at trial.

How We Defend Sexual Assault Charges in Orange County

When you are facing a sexual assault allegation, you may be unsure what a defense lawyer can actually do for you beyond showing up in court. In our practice, we begin by listening carefully to your account of what happened, comparing it against the police reports, and identifying where the stories differ. We then look closely at how evidence was collected, whether your rights were respected during interviews or searches, and how witnesses connected to locations such as bars, private homes, or college campuses in Orange County might be used to support your side of the story.

After we understand the facts, we work to build a defense that is tailored to the specific charges and to the particular courtroom where your case will be heard, such as the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana or one of the branch courts in Westminster or Fullerton. Depending on the circumstances, that may involve filing motions to exclude unreliable identifications or statements, challenging forensic evidence, presenting evidence of consent, or highlighting weaknesses that could persuade the prosecutor to reduce or dismiss charges. Throughout the process, we keep you informed so you can make decisions about offers, risks, and trial strategy with a clear picture of your options.

Let our Orange County lawyer help you navigate the complexities of the criminal justice process. Call (657) 571-2266 or fill out an online contact form to schedule a consultation.