Any allegation of sexual wrongdoing carries life-altering consequences. If you have been accused of illicit sexual behavior, the sooner you speak with a Murrieta sex crimes lawyer, the better. These crimes are prosecuted aggressively in California, so it is best to be proactive and take immediate steps.
Our team of highly skilled criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott D. Henry has a thorough understanding of how these cases are handled. Our commitment is to provide you with superior legal representation while helping you successfully navigate the criminal justice system. We could build a strong defense strategy and advocate aggressively to protect your freedoms and future.
What are Some Common Sex Crimes?
A sex crime refers to any offense that is sexual in nature. Our legal team has extensive experience defending sex crime cases, such as:
- Date rape
- Statutory rape
- Rape
- Oral copulation by force
- Failure to register as a sex offender
- Lewd acts with a child
- Child pornography
- Prostitution
- Solicitation
- Sexual battery
Depending on the sex crime with which you are charged, our attorneys in Murrieta determine how to best proceed with your case.
Possession of Child Pornography
California Penal Code 311 PC states that it is unlawful to send, transport, duplicate, print, or possess child pornography. It is also illegal to hire, persuade, or coerce minors to participate in the making of child pornography. For the purpose of these laws, child pornography is defined as any material or matter that depicts sexual conduct by a person under the age of 18. A misdemeanor child pornography conviction carries penalties of up to one year in jail. For a felony conviction, the sentence includes up to three years in state prison. Common defenses include:
- The matter in question is not child pornography.
- The defendant did not act knowingly.
- The content in question was connected to a matter that had a legitimate purpose.
- The evidence was obtained as a result of an illegal search and seizure by police.
- The incident was a result of entrapment.
Penalties for Sex Crimes
In California, sex crimes carry some of the harshest penalties. Misdemeanor and felony convictions carry substantial jail or prison time, probation, and hefty fees. Depending on the charge, you may also be required to register as a sex offender. Some sentences carry a 10-year requirement, whereas some carry a lifetime requirement. In addition, many sex crime convictions are considered a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law. An attorney in Murrieta could help you minimize or avoid the penalties associated with sex crime convictions.
Defense Strategies for Cases of Sexual Wrongdoing
A sex crime conviction can have a devastating impact on you and your family’s lives. Your case’s outcome could determine your entire future, so it is essential to have superior legal representation on your side – representation experienced in handling these serious cases. Our skilled lawyers in Murrieta could build an aggressive strategy to defend you against any sex crime charges. This strategy may include the following defenses:
- Consent by the alleged victim
- Insufficient evidence
- Untrustworthy evidence
- Evidence was obtained through an illegal search and seizure (4th Amendment violation)
- Falsely accused
- Mistaken identity
- Statute of limitations
Speak with an Experienced Murrieta Sex Crimes Attorney
Being charged with a sex crime could be the biggest fight of your life. Everything is at stake, including your reputation, freedom, and future. With this much on the line, it is crucial to act quickly and speak with a Murrieta sex crimes lawyer right away.
Our seasoned defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott D. Henry have what it takes to defend you effectively against these charges. We have over four decades of collective experience defending those facing sex crime charges and know precisely how to build an aggressive case-specific strategy. Contact our offices today for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We could discreetly discuss the incident in question and determine an effective course of action to help obtain a positive outcome.