Sex Crimes Lawyer in Santa Ana

The Law Office of Sheny Gutierrez provides aggressive legal representation against sex crime offenses. We know that these charges carry significant legal and real-world consequences that are not easily or quickly overcome. If you’ve been charged with a sex crime in Orange County, contact us to schedule a free consultation.

What is a Sex Crime?

According to California law, a sex crime is any illegal act that forces sexual contact or conduct. These are severe offenses that bring hefty legal penalties. Conviction of a sex crime can lead to jail time, mandatory registration on the sex offender registry, unemployment, and loss of immigration status.

Indecent Exposure

Indecent exposure is the purposeful act of exposing yourself to someone with the intention of upsetting them or for your own sexual gratification. This can also be charged with lewd conduct in public. Conviction requires registration as a sex offender for at least ten years.

Statutory Rape

Statutory rape occurs when an adult has sex with someone who is younger than 18 years old. This is illegal regardless of the age difference between the two parties. This sex crime can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony sex crime at the discretion of the prosecution and based on the facts of the case.

Child Pornography

Child pornography involves owning, sharing, duplicating, or producing obscene material that involves a minor engaged in sexual acts. This offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances of your case. Multiple counts can also be charged if there are numerous pictures or videos.

Sexual Battery

Sexual battery occurs when one person touches another person intimately without their consent. The offender engages in this activity for their own arousal or gratification. As a wobbler sex offense, sexual battery can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, and conviction will require you to register as a sex offender.

Prostitution

Solicitation of a prostitute in California involves asking or encouraging someone to engage in prostitution. No sexual act needs to be performed in order to be charged for solicitation. Prostitution is also illegal in California. Both crimes carry penalties, including fines of up to $1,000 and a maximum of six months in jail.

Criminal Defense in Sex Crimes Cases

To avoid penalties like jail time, fines, and sex offender registration, it is necessary to prepare for sex crime cases carefully and thoroughly. Creating reasonable doubt can mean a positive outcome for your case.

Among the possible defense strategies are:

Proving the accusations against you are false
Showing that the victim mistakenly identified you
Proving consent was given prior to the sexual act

Consent is only a valid defense against certain sex crimes and couldn’t be used, for example, in cases involving children or for prostitution charges.