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Ventura Sex Crime Attorneys
There can be a great deal of confusion surrounding the criminal sexual accusations, and how to best defend and fight back against such charges is a real concern. Even if you are completely innocent of the accusations, you must get a highly qualified sex crime lawyer to represent you. Failing to have a quality defense can lead to a conviction, even for the innocent.
Charged with a sex crime? We strongly advise you to contact a sex crime defense attorney from Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP for immediate information about defending your case.
What Are the Challenges of Sex Crime Cases?
There are few criminal cases that lead to more public outrage than sex crimes. A person accused of sexual assault can find that their personal and business reputation suffers extensive damage, even prior to going to court. These cases can be extremely complex, and one person may claim that the sexual contact was consensual while the other claims that rape took place.
Examples of Sexual Offenses in California
We can defend clients involved in a variety of sexual offenses, including:
- Rape, including date rape, statutory rape, etc.
- Sexual assault and battery
- Indecent exposure
- Child pornography
- Child molestation
The consequences in sex crime cases, particularly in cases in which it is alleged that a sexual act took place with a minor, cases involving child pornography possession or distribution, are very, very serious.
What Constitutes a Federal Sex Crime?
Citizens are subject to both state and federal laws. When a person commits a crime that violates state statutes, they will be prosecuted by the local government. However, if a person violates rules established by the U.S. Government, they will be tried in federal court. In some cases, a person could face both federal and state charges.
California has various laws that prohibit certain conduct of a sexual nature. The federal government also has statutes against sex crimes that criminalize things such as exploitation of minors, possession or distribution of child pornography, solicitation of a minor, and aggravated sexual abuse.
From a State to a Federal Offense
Whether a sex crime is handled at the state or federal level depends on the specific circumstances of the case. Typically, local attorneys will take on the matter, but it can later be elevated to a federal crime, at which point the U.S. Government will handle it. Usually, this happens when the severity of the act is such that it violates federal laws. Additionally, if a sex offense crossed state lines, involved using the internet, or was committed against a minor, it will most likely be charged as a federal offense.
A sex offense could also be prosecuted at both levels, which isn’t a violation of “double jeopardy” protection because different governments are pursuing the matter.
Federal Prosecution of Sex Crimes
The federal government employs various resources when prosecuting sex offenses. Agencies, such as the FBI, will conduct a lengthy and thorough investigation of the crime before bringing charges against an individual. An alleged offender may not even know they are suspected of violating a law until the government comes knocking at their door.
Potential Conviction Penalties
The punishments for a federal sex crime conviction vary and are based on the type of offense committed. Regardless of the kind, if a person is found guilty, they will spend time in federal prison and will be subject to steep fines.
Will I Be Forced to Register as a Sex Offender if Convicted?
If you are convicted, it is likely that you will be forced to register as a sex offender, and your name, photo, address, and the crime will be available to any person who chooses to look up sex offenders online.
Having to register as a sex offender can severely limit your housing and employment options and require that you register each time you relocate. You may also be subject to unfair treatment from others in society, as being a registered sex offender can carry a heavy stigma.
Why You Should Choose Our Sex Crime Lawyers
Our legal team has over 50 years of combined experience and has achieved many victories in criminal court for our clients. We have achieved hundreds of case dismissals and are recognized as high-quality criminal defenders.
We know how important the outcome of your case is and what is at stake. We know what it takes to fight, both in and out of court, and urge you to contact our firm without delay if you are accused or under investigation for any sex crime.
Contact our sex crime defense lawyers today to discuss your case.
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Supportive with Clients. Aggressive in Court.
Navigating the legal system can be complicated. To maximize your chance of securing the best outcome possible, it is essential that you reach out to us without delay. When you hire our firm, we will work quickly to gather every detail, examine every piece of evidence, and build a strong case.
We will not hesitate to go toe-to-toe in trial with an insurance company, corporation, prosecutor, or law enforcement officer. Regardless of the type of situation you are involved in, rest assured that we will do everything we can to protect your rights and help you secure the most favorable result possible.
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The Lessem, Newstat & Tooson Team
Our Clients Are Our Focus.
When facing complex legal matters, it is not uncommon to encounter an issue that needs immediate attention from your team.
For this reason, we are available to assist our clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure any questions or concerns you may have will be addressed immediately. With around the clock service and multiple office locations, clients throughout Southern California can be confident knowing our counsel is available to them whenever and wherever they need it.
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