A sex crime charge in Downey can come out of nowhere and throw your life off balance. Unless you hire a qualified Downey sex crimes lawyer, you will likely face a tough fight in court. A conviction for a sex crime can lead to years in prison or jail, high fines, and even a requirement to list your name on California’s sex offender registry.
Individuals who try to fight sex crime charges on their own can end up paying for it for the rest of their lives. However, you can fight for your future by working with the Simmrin Law Group. A sex crimes attorney in Downey understands the legal system in California and can build your defense.
How Does a Downey Sex Crimes Lawyer Help You?
Are you wondering how to handle sex crime accusations in Downey? You can get professional advice by reaching out today to a highly experienced Downey sex crimes attorney from Simmrin Law Group. Our team of lawyers will spring into action immediately after your arrest and:
- Guide you during legal questioning
- Monitor police officers to ensure they respect your rights
- Gather evidence about your charges
Our team understands the impact of a sex crime conviction on your life. These charges can result in fines, incarceration, and damage to your reputation. Fortunately, you do not have to handle them on your own.
For a free legal consultation with a sex crimes lawyer serving Downey, call (310) 896-2723
What to Do When You Are Arrested for a Sex Crimes Charge
When you are arrested for a sex crime charge, you may be tempted to try to explain your reasons or the situation. You may get nervous and think you can talk your way out of the arrest. However, this can result in you making your defense more difficult than it needs to be if you speak to anyone without a sex crimes lawyer advising you.
You can protect yourself by following some simple steps:
- Do not talk to the police: Stay quiet and do not answer questions about your charges. Do not speak to prosecutors in the interrogation room. Be polite and ask for your lawyer, then keep silent.
- Do not fight or resist arrest: Fighting or resisting the police will make your case worse. Take any chemical test they require. Be polite as you are moved between facilities. Staying calm until you can talk to your attorney is critical.
- Do not try to outsmart the police: You may be very intelligent, but law enforcement officers have years of training in tricking people into saying things that can be held against them. Stay silent and wait for your lawyer.
- Contact professional legal help immediately: You should hire a Downey sex crimes lawyer right away. The faster you have help, the stronger your defense will be.
You have a Constitutional right to remain silent during questioning. You also have the right to have a legal representative with you during interviews to protect your rights. The police can detain you and ask questions, but they cannot make you talk.
Downey Sex Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
How Can You Resolve Sex Crime Charges in Downey?
A sex crimes lawyer in Downey can provide you with assistance in resolving the allegations you face. Depending upon your situation, a lawyer may work to:
- Have your charges dismissed: The court system sometimes dismisses sex crime allegations, especially if your lawyer can block enough evidence against you. The court also dismisses cases involving police misconduct in some situations.
- Have your charges reduced: Getting your charges reduced can help minimize the penalties associated with a sex crime accusation. In order to reduce your charges, you must accept a plea bargain from the prosecution.
- Represent you in court: We understand what it takes to handle sex crime charges for our clients in court. We use tested strategies and take on the prosecution on your behalf.
Prosecutors are interested in increasing their conviction rates, not in helping you defeat your charges. Only your Downey sex crimes lawyer will be working on your side to defend against the accusations. Plea agreements benefit the court, so you should always have your attorney review them before signing.
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How Does the Court System in Downey Handle Sex Crimes?
The court system in Downey generally separates sex crimes based on the age of the victim. Sex crimes that involve minors can include:
- Traveling to meet a minor
- Seduce or solicit a minor
- Child pornography
- Statutory rape
Sex crimes against other adults are often considered sexual misconduct or sexual abuse. The following are examples of common charges for sex crimes in Downey:
- Indecent exposure
- Lewd conduct
- Prostitution/solicitation of a prostitute
- Sexual battery
- Rape
You could also be charged with human trafficking or failure to register as a sex offender in Downey. The penalties for a sex crime conviction are incredibly high. You could face incarceration and steep fines. A skilled sex crimes lawyer in Downey can help you fight these charges effectively.
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What Are Sex Crimes Against Minors in Downey?
Minors are often the victims of sex crimes in Downey. These acts often fall under the umbrella definitions of child molestation or child sexual abuse. You could also face charges for:
Traveling to Meet a Minor
You cannot legally arrange to meet with a minor for lewd purposes in Downey. Lewd purposes can involve child molestation or any touching of the sexual organs of a minor. You can end up facing years in prison if you get convicted of traveling to meet a minor.
Seduce or Solicit a Minor
Seducing or soliciting a minor involves using the internet or a computer to:
- Transmit harmful material to a minor
- Solicit a minor for lewd purposes
- Lure a child
The court can charge you with a misdemeanor or a felony for attempting to seduce or solicit a minor. You could be fined $10,000 and be sent to prison for four years if convicted.
Child Pornography
Sexually explicit images of minors are considered child pornography under PC §311. You cannot legally create or own child pornography. It is also against the law to distribute sexually explicit images of people under the age of 18.
Statutory Rape
Individuals who carry out sex acts with minors can face charges for statutory rape. You can also be charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor for this act. The court can view statutory rape as a misdemeanor or a felony in Downey.
Charges of Lewd Conduct and Indecent Exposure in Downey
Lewd conduct occurs if someone touches their own private parts or another person’s private parts in a public place. Even requesting to have your private parts touched while in public can lead to lewd conduct charges. A conviction for lewd conduct can result in 6 months in jail.
Individuals who reveal their private parts in public can face charges for indecent exposure. You can face misdemeanor or felony charges for indecent exposure. If convicted of indecent exposure, you could end up spending three years in prison.
Are Prostitution and Human Trafficking Sex Crimes?
Any time you pay someone to perform a sex act, you can face charges for soliciting a prostitute. Individuals who accept payment in exchange for sex acts can end up accused of prostitution under PC §647. A conviction for soliciting a prostitute or prostitution can result in 180 days in jail.
Human trafficking is a more serious crime that involves depriving someone of their liberty in order to make them perform illegal actions. Many times these actions are somehow sexual. You could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of human trafficking.
A Downey sexual crime attorney from the Simmrin Law Group can investigate your circumstances and work to effectively build a defense for these accusations.
What Are Downey’s Laws for Sexual Battery and Rape?
The crime of sexual battery occurs if the accused sexually touches another person against their will. The court can treat sexual battery as a misdemeanor or a felony by the court system in Downey. You could face four years of prison time and fines of $10,000 if convicted of sexual battery.
Rape is one of the most serious sex crimes in Downey. Anyone forced into sexual intercourse can be considered a victim of rape. Forcing someone into sex can involve drugging them, blackmailing them, using physical force, or making threats. Fighting back against these charges requires a skilled sexual abuse attorney.
Can You Face Charges for Date Rape in Downey?
In some cases, the court will use the charge of date rape. Date rape charges generally apply if non-consensual sex occurs between people familiar with one another romantically.
Prosecutors can treat any act of rape as a felony. Rape convictions can result in a prison sentence of eight years. So, building a case immediately is very important if you get falsely accused of rape. You can get help today with a sexual abuse lawyer specializing in sex crime defense in Downey.
California’s Sex Offender Registry and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Many times you will have to place your name on California’s sex offender registry if convicted of a sex crime. If you fail to follow this procedure, you can end up charged with another misdemeanor or a felony. Failure to register as a sex offender can lead to three years in prison.
Fight Sex Crime Accusations with a Downey Sex Crimes Lawyer
Individuals charged with sex crimes face a tough legal battle with very high stakes. If you are convicted, you could end up incarcerated for years and with your name on a sex offender registry. The Simmrin Law Group’s sex crimes attorneys can help build your case.
Start getting the legal advice you need right now with a free consultation. Our Downey sex crimes lawyers are ready to defend you today. So, fill out our contact form or call us now.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form