San Bernardino Sex Crime Defense Attorney

Client-Focused Defense Representation for Sex Offenses

Facing an allegation of a sexual offense immediately threatens your freedom, your reputation, and your future. Prosecutors often aggressively pursue these charges, and people in your personal and professional circles may pass judgment long before you’ve had your day in court. Our team at The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman understands the stress and uncertainty you are dealing with right now and can provide the seasoned advocacy your case requires.

With decades of criminal defense experience, Attorney Jacqueline Goodman is no stranger to high-stakes cases, including felony sex offenses. She is a California State Bar-certified criminal law specialist who is highly respected by judges, prosecutors, and peers for her strategic and ethical defense strategies. Attorney Goodman has also received numerous statewide and national honors for courtroom excellence, and our firm has a strong track record of securing charge reductions, dismissals, and favorable verdicts. Because we prioritize hands-on representation, you can expect to work directly with our attorney from beginning to end. We can meet with you virtually and answer phones 24/7.

If you have been accused of or arrested for a sex offense, time is of the essence. Don’t wait to call (714) 266-3945 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with our San Bernardino sex crime defense lawyer. Se habla español.

Common Defense Strategies for Sex Crimes

As frustrating as it is to stay silent when you face these serious allegations, it is in your best interest to avoid trying to explain your side of the story to law enforcement, the accuser, or anyone else before you consult an attorney experienced in handling these cases. Anything you say can and probably will be used against you, and even seemingly innocent remarks can be twisted to appear inconsistent or incriminating. 

Furthermore, contacting the accuser for any reason, whether in person, by phone, or through social media, can be disastrous. Prosecutors may interpret these attempts as witness tampering or intimidation, potentially leading to new charges and other consequences. 

Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to avoid putting yourself in a worse position. We can handle all communications and get to work on building a defense that leverages weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and is designed to secure the best possible outcome.

Depending on your specific circumstances, a strong sex crime defense may involve one or more of the following elements:

• Consent. We may be able to argue that the sexual activity was consensual. California law requires that the prosecution prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accuser did not consent. We can present evidence like text messages, witness statements, and prior relationship history to demonstrate that the accuser willingly participated in the act.
• False accusations. Accusations often stem from ulterior motives, including custody battles, revenge, or regret. Our team can rigorously investigate the accuser's background and potential biases to uncover reasons they might fabricate the allegations. We can then expose these motivations to the jury to undermine the credibility of the charges.
• Insufficient evidence. The burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution. We may be able to challenge the physical evidence, DNA results, and police reports to show that the state lacks the concrete proof required for a conviction. If the evidence is weak, contradictory, or circumstantial, we can move to have the case dismissed.
• Mistaken identity. In cases involving strangers, identification errors frequently occur. We may be able to challenge the reliability of lineups and eyewitness descriptions, especially if factors like poor lighting or cross-racial identification played a role. We also may be able to use alibi evidence, such as surveillance footage, to prove you were elsewhere when the alleged crime occurred.
• Miranda rights violations. Law enforcement must follow strict procedures when conducting custodial interrogations. If you were not free to leave and the police failed to read you your rights or continued to question you after you asked for an attorney, we can file motions to suppress any statements you made. Excluding this evidence can significantly weaken the prosecution's case.
• Reasonable mistake of age. In cases involving allegations of statutory rape, we may be able to present evidence regarding your reasonable belief about the accuser's age. We can use evidence that the accuser provided fake identification or lied about their age in a way that would deceive a reasonable person to challenge the intent required for a conviction.

Penalties for a Sex Crime Conviction in California

California law imposes severe penalties for sex offenses. A felony conviction often results in a mandatory state prison sentence ranging from several years to life, while even misdemeanor convictions still frequently carry significant jail time, substantial fines, and strict probation terms. The specific punishments, including the length of a jail or prison sentence, depend on the specific circumstances of the case.

Crucially, many convictions require registration as a sex offender. Depending on the severity of the offense, this tiered system mandates that you remain on the registry for ten years, twenty years, or the rest of your life. This status places your name, photo, and address on a public database, subjecting you to community scrutiny and strict law enforcement monitoring.

This means that the impacts of a conviction can extend long after you pay fines and complete a jail or prison sentence. As a registered sex offender, you will face significant employment barriers and housing restrictions, among other life-altering consequences, making it difficult to secure a job or a home. We recognize that these collateral consequences often feel as punishing as the sentence itself.

Sex Crime Allegations Demand a Capable Defense

At The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman, we genuinely believe that bad things can happen to good people. You don’t have to go through this alone, and, considering what you’re up against, you deserve to have a skilled legal advocate on your side.

We know what is at stake and how to effectively advocate for the criminally accused in cases involving serious sex offenses. Our attorney can diligently pursue an optimal outcome that mitigates the potential consequences that come with these allegations, including the requirement to register as a sex offender. 

Don’t let an accusation define the rest of your life. Call (714) 266-3945 or contact us online now to learn more about how we can help protect your future.