Criminal Law State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
San Juan Capistrano Sex Crime Lawyer
Sex Crime Attorney In San Juan Capistrano, CA
The mere accusation of a sex crime can come with severe repercussions, whether a person is convicted or not. While only a conviction can bring criminal penalties, a charge by itself can bring damage to your reputation and relationships. If you are accused of a sex crime, it is important to hire a sex crime lawyer right away. A San Juan Capistrano sex crime lawyer at The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman can help.
About Goodman Criminal Litigation
Jacqueline Goodman is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist licensed to practice in California and before the United States District Court (Central District of California), the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Real Acquittals, Time and Time Again
30 Years of Proven Results
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Ended Sex Registration 290 Sex Offender Registration
Relief for yet another client who no longer has to register as a sex offender.
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Case Rejected Assault With A Deadly Weapon
Strike felonies including assault with a deadly weapon – car with great bodily injury.
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Case Dismissed Attempted Murder Of Police Officer
Los Angeles Arrest Pre-filing representation on Attempted murder of police officer, assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer.
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Case Dismissed Battery and Corporal Injury
243(e)(1) Battery/273.5 Corporal Injury of Spouse in Long Beach.
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Case Dismissed Child Endangerment/ Cruelty
Penal Code 273a(b) Child endangerment/cruelty.
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Case Dismissed Child Sex Abuse
Child Sex Abuse case dismissed.
I am committed to providing my clients with the trusted counsel and aggressive defense they deserve. I believe in redemption and helping people get second chances. I devote a significant portion of my practice to criminal justice reform and I have provided pro bono representation in impact litigation to change the laws to benefit every Californian. No one is perfect, and everyone has flaws. A mistake should not define you, and our Orange County criminal defense attorney is ready to fight to protect your future, no matter the charges. Attorney Jacqueline Goodman is here to get you out of this difficult situation and put you back in the position you were in before your trouble started!
Your Experience Matters
Five-Star Client Reviews
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“Amazing lawyer. Excellent staff. If you are in some trouble and need someone that will fight for you and actually put in 110% effort into your case, Jacqueline Goodman is the one.”- Kody E.
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“I reached out to Jacqueline Goodman after shopping around and getting expensive quotes for an expungement. Her office was very helpful and informative. My needs were met and I am extremely happy.”- Mike L.
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“Extraordinary dedication, compassion, and expertise. When I had lost all hope, she fought tirelessly to achieve the best outcome, proving her commitment not only as a skilled attorney but as someone who truly cares about her clients.”- Erlinda B.
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“She took the time to understand our concerns and worries. She got me the best deal, and I walked away with probation and a new look at life. She never gave up and always told me jail was not an option for her, as I had a family to support.”- Joe G.
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“Couldn’t have asked for a better attorney than Jacqueline Goodman. She was there since day one to answer all my questions when I needed her guidance. I 100% recommend her professionalism/honesty. Do not hesitate to call her!”- Debbie W.
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“I cannot say enough positive things about Jacqueline Goodman. She is an excellent attorney who is persistent, committed, and extremely knowledgeable. She listens, is compassionate, and has shown a genuine interest in my well-being.”- Former Client
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“Jacqueline Goodman is THE BEST! I highly recommend her. She is timely, structured, intellectually gifted, with an extremely strong knowledge of law. I am grateful and feel blessed to have chosen this law firm.”- Dave C.
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“She took care of my cases with tenacity, professionalism, experience, and care. She handled all my cases (that I've had hanging over my head for twenty years) in a few months. I asked for a reduction, and she got them expunged!”- Rick B.
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“She gave me hope and peace of mind with how clearly she explained the situation, especially because it was my first time seeking a lawyer. If you are looking for a lawyer who is trustworthy, empathetic, and professional, she is the one!”- Estela H.
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.
In the News
Common Sex Crime Cases
Sex crimes in California are broadly defined as illegal sexual activity. Generally speaking, these crimes include offenses against another person or a group of people who did not or could not consent to the activity. In some cases, physical contact does not have to be present to be considered a crime. Some of the most common sex crimes include:
- Rape. According to Penal Code § 261, rape is defined as non-consensual sexual contact accomplished by coercion or threats. It is not necessary for the victim of rape to physically fight back from the attacker; the crime can be proven by the victim’s refusal or inability to consent to the sexual contact.
- Child molestation. This involves lewd acts with a minor, typically under age 14, and is seriously prosecuted under sex crime laws.
- Sexual battery. Sexual battery is defined by Penal Code § 243.4 as when someone touches another person’s intimate area without that person’s consent in order to abuse them or to arouse them sexually.
- Indecent exposure. Indecent exposure is the deliberate display of one’s genitalia in public or in the presence of others. In addition to jail time, the convicted defendant may have to register as a sex offender.
- Statutory rape. Statutory rape involves engaging in sexual activity with a minor. It does not matter if the minor agreed to the act, as the law states that minors are not capable of consenting.
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State Bar Certified Specialist
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CA Criminal Trial Lawyer of the Year
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Past President of CA Attorneys for Criminal Justice
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Co-Chair Sex Crimes Defense Education
Training lawyers nationally for 14 years.
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National Chair of Decarceration
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1Renowned Success Rate
When your life depends on it, you need a lawyer known for winning the toughest trials.
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2Certified Criminal Law Specialist
Less than 1% of California Attorneys meet the rigorous standards to be certified as a specialist by the State Bar.
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3Rated 10.0 Superb on AVVO
Our practice is world-class, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Our clients love us, and we have the ratings to prove it.
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4Named on The Wall of Recognition at The National Constitution Center
Named on the wall of recognition at the National Constitution Center in Washington, D.C., alongside some of the greatest lawyers in the nation.
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5Admitted to Argue Cases Before the United States Supreme Court
“For litigators, there is no greater or more elusive honor than to argue before;this Court.” – The American Bar Association
.007% of lawyers gain admission in the USSC.
Sex Crime Laws FAQ’s
San Juan Capistrano, CA
How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in California?
The price of an attorney depends on the nature of the case, the experience of the lawyer, and the amount of time it will take to prepare and defend you. Complex and high-risk charges such as sex crimes often take more investigation and court appearances, which increases the cost of representation, but this is also essential for the most beneficial possible result.
How Do I Win a Sex Crime Case?
The successful defense of a sex crime case requires you to question the trustworthiness of evidence and witnesses while revealing contradictions in the prosecution’s narrative and showing violations of constitutional protections. An experienced defense attorney closely examines the case details to discover vulnerabilities while building a defense strategy that generates reasonable doubt within the jury.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. It doesn’t matter if you actually committed a crime; you are subject to the same fines and penalties as everyone else in the event of a conviction. A defense attorney can fight aggressively to make sure that your rights are protected, though.
If you are facing criminal charges in California, it is important to hire a qualified criminal defense attorney to represent you. The outcome of your case could have serious consequences, and an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the criminal justice system and give you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
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Yes. A skilled defense attorney is imperative even if you plan on taking a plea bargain. A lawyer can help you decide if the plea bargain is really your best option. Additionally, your lawyer can help you determine whether or not the prosecution has enough evidence to offer you a plea bargain for a specific offense. Without a lawyer, the prosecution might assume that you are going to plead guilty and offer you an unreasonable bargain. An attorney can help you negotiate for an agreement.
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Typically, the prosecution pursues charges with enough evidence to back them up. In other words, the prosecution will look for a legally sound case. If a case contains some kind of inherent flaw, it probably isn’t worth pursuing. Then, prosecuting attorneys decide whether or not there is enough evidence to pursue a conviction. If there isn’t, the case will probably be dropped, or another charge will be considered. “Enough” evidence is determined by the quantity of the evidence held against you and the quality. For example, if the prosecuting attorney has a large quantity of questionable evidence, they probably still won’t pursue that particular case because of its potential holes. You can only be prosecuted once per alleged offense, so prosecutors have to be careful when deciding when to act.
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A grand jury is a collection of individuals used to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to take a case to trial. For example: If you were arrested for a drug crime, a grand jury might be used to figure out whether or not the prosecution has a legitimate case against you. The grand jury will base its determination on witness testimony, documents, and other available evidence. At the end of the proceedings, the jury will decide whether or not the case will actually go to trial. If there is not enough evidence to conduct a trial, your case will not move forward. Grand juries are typically reserved for high-level felonies and federal crimes.
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You cannot be arrested or charged with a crime for exercising your right to remain silent. The Fifth Amendment allows you to remain silent and avoid giving testimony against yourself. If a police officer tries to intimidate you into waiving your rights, do not believe them and insist on speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible. Judges cannot set a high bail for not cooperating with law enforcement, but some officers try to make you think that you are required to give a statement. In reality, officers may try to scare you into making a statement so that it will be easier to obtain a conviction later.
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No. Law enforcement officers are not legally required to “read your rights” at the time of your arrest. The Miranda warning is only required if law enforcement plans on using your statements against you in court. Additionally, the warning is only required if you are in police custody. If the police want to ask you questions that might elicit incriminating answers, they will probably read the Miranda warning just to be safe. Consult a defense attorney before speaking with law enforcement so you can be safe.
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Property and privacy rights are some of the most important for American citizens. Police are only allowed to search your vehicle or home if they have a warrant if they have probable cause, or if you give explicit consent for them to do so. You are never required to consent a police search of your property, and you should never feel pressured to do so. If you believe that you were the victim of unlawful search and seizure, contact The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman immediately to safeguard your rights.
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Choosing a criminal defense attorney can be a difficult task. The following are some good questions to ask a potential criminal defense lawyer for your case:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- What is your experience with cases like mine?
- What are your fees and how do you charge?
- What are the potential consequences of my case?
- What are my chances of winning at trial?
- What could happen if I am found guilty?
- Can I get the charges against me dropped?
- Can you help me understand the evidence against me?
- Do you have any experience with witnesses in my case?
- If I am found guilty, what kind of sentence am I looking at?
- What are the chances I will have to go to trial?
- If I do go to trial, what can I expect?
- What are my rights during the criminal justice process?
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A criminal defense lawyer’s job is to protect their client’s constitutional rights and make sure they are treated fairly by the criminal justice system. The attorney investigates the case against their client, negotiates with prosecutors, and represents their clients in court. Criminal defense lawyers can help reduce the number of consequences for your criminal case.
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You can ask family or friends for recommendations, look up attorneys in your area online, or contact your local bar association. Look for reviews and testimonials of each lawyer as well to help you make the best decision.