What Is Considered a Sex Crime in California?

A sex crime is defined as an offense that is sexual and unwanted in nature, typically committed when someone perpetuates a sex act on another person without his/her consent. There are two main categories of sex crimes: forcible and non-forcible offenses.

Force could be in the form of physical harm, use or threat of a weapon, or threats. Common examples of forcible sex crimes include sexual battery and rape.

On the other hand, non-forcible sex crimes do not involve force. Common examples of such offenses are indecent exposure or possession of child pornography.

Many sex crimes involve children, which typically leads to harsher penalties since minors are particularly vulnerable and the negative social stigma associated with child sex crimes. Other sex crimes involve inappropriate sexual behavior in public, such as indecent exposure.

Sex crimes in California are generally prosecuted by state court; however, federal sex crimes involve offenses that cross state lines or committed in multiple states, such as child pornography or human trafficking.

Due to the serious nature of sex crimes, a conviction is punishable by years in prison, costly fines, restitution and civil damages to the victim, and registration as a sex offender, which can make it difficult to find a job or a place to live after serving a sentence.

Right Choice Laws Sex Crime Legal Counsel

When facing sex crime allegations, one of the most important things to do is to choose the right criminal defense attorney for your case. Right Choice Law understands many people who face sex crime accusations are good people who exercised poor judgment or made a mistake. We know others have been charged because of false allegations based on false evidence or even a misunderstanding.

Our legal team is comprised of former prosecutors, who have the trial experience required to fight for you in court and counter the prosecution’s argument against you. Our Newport sex crime defense attorneys know what it takes to get the most favorable outcome possible. To learn more, check out our case results and client testimonials.