Sex Crimes and Misconduct in Los Angeles or Orange County CA

Sex crimes in Los Angeles include charges of child pornography, lewd conduct, molestation, rape (including date rape), statutory rape, and sexual assault. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work.

Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused, and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases. If you have been charged with a sex crime, you do have legal rights and it is critical to discuss your charge with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can defend you.

Child Pornography

Child pornography includes any visual images or written material depicting minors in explicit sexual activity, whether or not the minor is depicted in an erotic pose or as engaging in a sexual act. Possession of child pornography, even a single 'deleted' image on a home computer, is illegal and carries severe criminal charges.

Lewd Conduct

The definition of lewd conduct varies depending on the particular offense charged. Generally, however, a lewd act is defined as the touching of the genitals, buttocks or female breasts with the intent of achieving sexual arousal or gratification.

These sorts of sexual acts are obviously not inherently illegal, but they become what the law defines as "lewd or lascivious," and therefore illegal, in certain situations such as: when done in public and in the presence of a third party who might be offended, and/or when performed on or with a minor or child.

Molestation

Molestation is the act of subjecting someone to unwanted or improper sexual advances or activity and/or tormenting an individual through continued persistent attacks and criticism. Although molestation reports are highest amongst women and children, molestation can happen to anyone - regardless of gender, sex, or age.

Rape

Rape is the act of making someone partake involuntarily in sexual acts through violence, force, threat of injury, or where the victim is unable to decline due to the effects of drugs or alcohol, which is a common factor in 'date rape.' Rape is generally considered one of the most serious sex crimes.

Statutory Rape

Statutory rape refers to a sexual act on a minor that is considered rape by the law regardless of whether it was coercive or consensual. Statutory rape laws exist in order to prevent adults from having sex with minors. Although illegal, many states use terms such as "unlawful sexual intercourse" instead of statutory rape, to avoid the forcible connotation of the word.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a term best defined as any forced sexual contact that can involve either genitalia of the victim or the assailant. This can include non-consenting hand to genital touching, frotteurism (rubbing or touching of genitals against a non-consenting person), non-consenting oral sex and forced penetration of any kind.