How Do You Beat A Sex Offender Charge In San Diego, California?

Being charged with a sex offense can seem overwhelming. You must find an experienced lawyer skilled in defending sex offenses in San Diego. Many different defenses exist, but the specific strategy depends upon the charge and facts of each case.

Do not ever speak or write to anyone about your charges, except your lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney will form a team of experts to help you through the criminal justice system in the most successful manner possible, sometimes getting the charges thrown out long before a trial.

How Does A Defense Lawyer Protect You?

Individuals arrested for a sex crime face potentially devastating personal, financial and emotional consequences, even if they are found not guilty. Despite the risk of losing one’s reputation, repercussions include lost opportunities for employment, housing and education. Charges can cause someone to lose a professional license. Hiring an attorney brings immediate benefits, such as:

• Developing an appropriate defense
• Shielding you from further police questioning
• Vigorously disputing the prosecutor’s evidence
• Helping you understand the charges you face or may face
• Explaining the consequences for pleading guilty or going to trial
• Gauging whether a plea bargain is in your best interests
• Knowing what to expect after an acquittal or conviction

Convictions or guilty pleas for sex crime offenses can result in lengthy prison terms, expensive fines and registering as a sex offender for 10 or 20 years, or even for the rest of your life in the most serious cases.

Defining Sex Crime Charges

Any offenses deemed sexual in nature are aggressively prosecuted under California law, and judges typically impose the most extreme penalties possible. Sex crimes are covered under specific state statutes and include:

• Child molestation
• Sexual abuse of a child
• Child pornography
• Contacting a minor with the intent of committing a sexual offense
• Seduction of a minor
• Forcible rape
• Statutory rape
• Sexual assault
• Sexual battery
• Sexual harassment
• Lewd or lascivious acts
• Indecent exposure

Anyone accused of a sex crime can face state and federal charges when state lines are crossed, or the offense occurs over the internet.

What Are The Most Common Defense Strategies?

Being charged with a sex crime doesn’t mean you are guilty. Many of these cases are the result of false accusations or misunderstandings. That’s why it’s crucial to retain experienced defense counsel as soon as possible. A knowledgeable sex crimes defense attorney understands the strategies available to combat these allegations, including:

• No sexual contact actually happened
• The defendant was falsely accused
• The defendant was mistakenly accused or misidentified by the accuser or witnesses
• Sexual contact did occur, but it was consensual
• The defendant had a reasonable belief that the accuser gave consent
• The prosecution’s case is based on flawed or illegally obtained evidence

In addition to scrutinizing the accuser, our firm will challenge the prosecution’s case and the evidence they claim to have. We have a team of investigators, including forensic experts, to challenge physical evidence and counselors and psychologists to determine whether addiction or mental illness played a role.

Taking Immediate Action Is Vital To Your Defense

Consulting an experienced attorney as soon as possible is essential regardless of whether you have already been arrested or you become aware that you are the target of a police investigation. If police try to interview you before you can hire an attorney, exercise your Fifth Amendment rights and decline to answer their questions until you have legal counsel.

Our firm has a distinct and unique advantage of having a former prosecutor who understands how these complex cases are built and charged. Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience successfully defending clients in Southern California and San Diego County. We will aggressively fight to help you avoid or reduce charges and penalties. If you decide to fight in court, we will use our extensive trial experience to secure the best possible outcome.