Defending Against Sex Crime Charges in California – CPC 261

Facing a criminal charge involving one of California’s numerous sex crimes can be devastating to a person’s reputation, career, family and integrity. There are a number of defenses available to one charged with a sex crime, and a California sex crimes lawyer can help you if you were recently charged with any of the sex crimes in the California penal code. If you need help mounting your defense, our attorneys have the experience and compassion necessary to help you as you face this difficult legal hurdle.

The exact defense to be presented depends on the specific statute under which you were charged. For example, California Penal Code 261, which deals with rape generally, has different legal requirements than California Penal Code 261.5, which deals with unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. You will need a California sex crimes lawyer who understands the difference and will develop a defense argument specific to the facts of your case.

Employment Consequences

One of the most paralyzing aspects in facing a sex crime is that your employer is within its rights to fire you from your job. Even if the charges have not been substantiated or there is no evidence to support the claims against you, your employer may terminate your employment effective immediately. Many employers have strict policies against employees who commit felonies, of which many of the sex crimes are categorized. For this reason, employers will release an employee before a trial even takes place or a plea is entered for fear of bad publicity or negativity. Do not let this happen to you. Your California sex crimes lawyer can help you save your career and will zealously advocate for you against the charges you face.

A Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help

A California sex crimes lawyer can also help you if you are fearful of having to register as a sex offender on one of the many state and local databases. We can help advocate for your exclusion from these sites or correct information about you that is inaccurate. If you are required to register for a set number of years and your time is up, we can help ensure that your identification is removed immediately.

Sex crimes are among the most harshly punished crimes in California, but issues of consent are not always as clean-cut as they first appear. For more information or to speak to Dan Cota, a California sex crimes lawyer, call (800) 351-6860.