Criminal Law
Riverside, California, Criminal Defense Lawyer Sex Crimes ● Child Molestation ● Rape
Sex crime charges - rape, date rape, child molestation or other sex crimes ? are serious and can change the life of the person charged whether guilty or not guilty. Sex crimes defense attorney Frank S. Peasley has defended many people under investigation for sex crimes and those charged. He has had an excellent success rate in a very difficult area of criminal law.
If you need an experienced trial attorney to help you through the fear and confusion of being charged with a sex crime,contact criminal defense attorney Frank S. Peasley. He has 27 years of experience handling tough criminal law cases in the Inland Empire region of California including Riverside, Corona, Temecula, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, and San Bernardino.
In 2000, the Department of Justice found that State and Federal courts convicted almost 984,000 adults of felonies. The penalties for a felony conviction can significantly change your life, and the sooner you contact an attorney upon being threatened with a felony sex offense charge, the better chance you have of mounting a successful defense.
Sex Offenses - An Overview
Sex offenses include a myriad of criminal sexual behaviors, ranging from prostitution to rape. If you or someone you know has been charged with committing a sex offense, it is very important to contact us to obtain the legal representation of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The penalties for a sex offense conviction can be serious and life-changing, but many defenses are available. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible allows the evidence to be evaluated and witnesses to be questioned soon after the event, providing the best opportunity for a successful defense. A criminal defense attorney has the experience and skill to begin preparing your defense as soon as you retain it.
What Is A Sex Offense?
Sex offenses include all forms of illegal sexual activity, ranging from the serious crime of rape, usually defined as sexual penetration without consent, to the less serious crime of prostitution, usually defined as sex for hire. The most serious crimes involve the sexual assault of children or include physical injury. Other sex offenses include public indecency, voyeurism, prostitution, solicitation, pornography, date rape, lewd acts, pandering, pimping, statutory rape, and unlawful sodomy.
Generally, sexual assault includes unwanted physical contact with a sexual organ. In some states, the laws also prohibit aggressive sexually suggestive statements, without requiring physical contact. Physical contact is considered unwanted if the victim said "no," physically objected, or was unable to give legal consent because of intoxication or incapacitation. It is frequently not necessary to show that the accuser physically resisted. Current laws are usually gender-neutral, so they protect all sexual assault victims. If you are accused of any sex offense, it is crucial that you seek the services of a defense attorney experienced in defending such crimes.
Misdemeanor or Felony?
Most sexual abuse and sexual assault crimes are felonies. Lesser offenses, such as public indecency are often misdemeanors. The decision of whether to charge a person with a misdemeanor or felony rests with the prosecutor. A criminal defense attorney, if contacted early enough during the investigation, may be able to minimize the charges that you face. Each state's statutes provide for different crimes, definitions, punishments, and guidelines. A criminal defense attorney well versed in the laws of your state can help you evaluate your situation and prepare your defense.
Prosecution and Defenses
Many sex offense acts have no witnesses. Therefore, sex offenses are frequently prosecuted even if the evidence appears weak or the accuser lacks credibility. False charges of sexual assault are common, with motives including jealousy, revenge, attention, or cover up. To adequately defend a case involving sexual assault, information is vital. If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a sex offense, the most important call you can make will be to your criminal defense lawyer, so he or she can begin investigating your case and defending your rights as soon as possible. Violating sex offense laws can bring very severe penalties and change your life forever. Penalties may include fines, being required to register as a sex offender, losing rights to see your children, jail terms, or long prison sentences. An aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney will help you obtain the best results under the particular law and facts of your case and may be able to get your charges reduced and, in some cases, dismissed.
The prosecutor must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed a sex offense. The available defenses vary greatly from crime to crime, but may include consent, insufficient evidence, innocence, and other defenses. In many cases, mitigating circumstances may reduce or negate your criminal culpability. A criminal defense attorney can ensure that the prosecutor has not ignored evidence that is in your favor. Your defense attorney will consider gathering evidence to support your defenses, possibly including a psychological evaluation, evidence showing the victim has a motive not to tell the truth or a history of not telling the truth, evidence of the victim's mental state or tendency to fantasize or to form false memories, supporting medical evidence and opinions, and other evidence showing that you are innocent or committed only a lesser included offense. Therefore, you must contact a criminal defense attorney to begin the defensive investigation as soon as the prosecution has begun its investigation.
Conclusion
Being charged with a sex offense can lead to very serious consequences, including jail time, probation, parole, significant fines, registration requirements, loss of the right to vote or own a weapon, and being shunned by society. If you are accused of a sex offense, you should speak to an attorney immediately to learn more about your rights, your defenses, and the legal system. If you are facing sexual offense charges, you need the aggressive defense that an experienced defense attorney will provide.