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LA Sex Crimes Guide

• Los Angeles Sex Crimes Overview
• What to Do After Sex Crime Allegations In Los Angeles
• Overview of Common Sex Crime Charges in Los Angeles
• Fighting The Prosecutor In Your LA Sex Crimes Case
• What To Do After an LA Sex Crimes Arrest
• Contact Our Los Angeles Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Why Choose Us?

When facing serious criminal charges like sex crimes, rely on Chudnovsky Law for a strong defense. Our experienced Los Angeles sex crimes attorneys have successfully represented over 9,000 clients. Our senior criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles earn top ratings of 10.0 on Avvo and Justia, and our firm is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a leading defense practice for sex crime cases.

Visit our Los Angeles office at 1933 S Broadway, #1100. You can also call (213) 212-5002 today for a confidential consultation about your case.

Los Angeles Sex Crimes Overview 

Sex crimes in Los Angeles encompass a broad range of offenses, from non-consensual acts to crimes involving minors, as defined under California’s Penal Code Title 9, which covers crimes against persons involving sexual assault and offenses against public decency.

These crimes carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and significant social stigma. Common offenses include rape, sexual assault, lewd acts with a child, statutory rape, and nonviolent crimes like indecent exposure or possession of child pornography. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office prioritizes these cases, often pursuing maximum sentences due to their serious nature.

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The legal consequences for sex crimes in Los Angeles vary based on the offense’s severity and circumstances. Misdemeanor convictions, such as indecent exposure, may result in less than a year in jail, fines, or probation, while felony convictions, like rape, can lead to prison terms of up to seven years or more, especially if the victim is a minor or if violence was involved.

Under California Penal Code Section 290, many convictions require lifelong sex offender registration. However, recent legislation introduced a tiered system allowing some offenders to petition for removal after ten or 20 years. Registration has a significant impact on employment, housing, and social relationships.

Prosecution of sex crimes in Los Angeles has faced challenges due to case backlogs and staffing shortages in the District Attorney’s Office. A 2025 policy change mandates faster filing of felony charges for sex crimes and family violence, prompted by a case where delays may have contributed to a 13-year-old boy’s sexual assault and murder.

Properly defending against sex crime charges highly benefits from aggressive legal representation. Never wait to speak with our skilled Los Angeles sex crimes defense lawyers due to the complexity of the evidence, often reliant on victim testimony, and the high burden of proof needed for conviction. 

Our LA sex crimes lawyers emphasize proactive strategies, such as avoiding police interviews without counsel, to mitigate risks of self-incrimination. The sooner you retain one of our elite LA sex crimes lawyers, the more likely a favorable outcome will be in your case.

What to Do After Sex Crime Allegations In Los Angeles 

Wherever you’re charged with a sex crime in LA, make sure you stay silent when asked questions by the police. They will use anything you say against you, and even a seemingly innocent phrase can damage your case. 

Instead, contact our skilled Los Angeles sex crimes lawyers immediately. Our lawyers will review your case and handle any questions from law enforcement. You shouldn’t be wrongly accused of a sex crime or face overly harsh penalties under any circumstances, and our attorneys will fight for you now. 

Overview of Common Sex Crime Charges in Los Angeles

If you find yourself facing allegations of a sex crime, you must understand the charges you may be facing and the potential punishments upon conviction.

Rape

Rape involves non-consensual sexual intercourse, either committed by force, threat, or forced intoxication, or when the alleged victim is unable to consent. In Los Angeles, rape is prosecuted aggressively, sometimes with no statute of limitations, and can result in long-term prison time, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault covers a broad range of non-consensual sexual acts and can lead to significant legal repercussions. If convicted of sexual assault in Los Angeles, you may face imprisonment, probation, counseling requirements, and registration as a sex offender.

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Lewd Acts with a Child

Lewd acts with a child involve inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor under the age of 14. This offense is also aggressively prosecuted in Los Angeles to protect minors, and a conviction can lead to lengthy prison sentences, lifelong sex offender registration, and strict probation terms.

Statutory Rape

Statutory rape occurs when an individual engages in sexual activity with a minor who is below the age of consent. This is a strict liability offense, so you do not need to have intent to engage in sex with a minor to face these charges, and consent is not a defense. Further, California has no “Romeo and Juliet” law like some other states, which protects younger adults when engaging in sexual conduct with a minor with a small age gap, such as an 18-year-old with a 16-year-old. This is still considered a crime in California.

Indecent Exposure

Indecent exposure involves willfully exposing one's genitals in a public place, causing alarm or offense to others. While this is generally a non-violent offense, convictions for indecent exposure can still lead to jail time, fines, probation, and a criminal record.

Child Pornography

Possessing, distributing, or producing child pornography is a serious offense that can result in severe legal consequences in Los Angeles. Convictions for child pornography charges may lead to lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, mandatory counseling, and registration as a sex offender.

If you are facing any of these sex crime charges in Los Angeles, immediately speak with our defense law firm. Remember, the consequences of a sex crime conviction can be life-altering, so it is important to take action and defend yourself with the help of a competent legal professional.

Defenses Chudnovsky Law may pursue include: 

• Proving consent (where legally valid)
• Discrediting allegations
• Insufficient evidence
• Challenging the legality of evidence
• False accusations, sometimes driven by spite or revenge

By presenting a strong defense, you might avoid imprisonment, have your charges reduced, or even have your charges dismissed or acquitted at trial. Working to avoid a conviction and maximum penalties is necessary to protect your future.

Fighting The Prosecutor In Your LA Sex Crimes Case 

The city will commit resources to convicting you of sex crimes. You need our skilled LA sex crimes lawyers representing you now. A Los Angeles defense attorney with experience in sex crimes begins by thoroughly analyzing the case details, leveraging their skill in California’s Penal Code and local court procedures to build a robust defense.

Our criminal defense attorneys start with a comprehensive review of the prosecution’s evidence, including: 

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Forensic data
• Biological evidence from ER visits and “rape kits”
• Digital evidence, such as text messages or videos

The attorney assesses whether any evidence was obtained legally, as violations of your Fourth Amendment rights, such as warrantless searches, can lead to the suppression of evidence. They also consult with you to understand your version of events, ensuring all potential defenses are explored while protecting you from self-incrimination during interactions with police or prosecutors.

One key strategy is challenging the credibility of the accuser and the reliability of their testimony, as sex crime cases often hinge on victim statements rather than physical evidence. Your LA sex crimes attorney may investigate the accuser’s motives, looking for inconsistencies in their story or evidence of bias, such as personal grudges or financial incentives.

In cases of false allegations, which are not uncommon in Los Angeles due to the high stakes of sex crime convictions, they may gather character witnesses or communications that contradict the accuser’s claims.

Your attorney will also exploit procedural errors or prosecutorial weaknesses, a critical tactic given the Los Angeles DA’s Office struggles with case backlogs and staffing shortages. They may file pre-trial motions to dismiss charges if the prosecution violates speedy trial rights or mishandles evidence.

In court, they’ll cross-examine prosecution witnesses aggressively, exposing gaps in the case, such as unreliable forensic evidence or coerced statements. If the evidence against you is strong, your attorney might negotiate a plea deal to reduce charges, for example, from a felony like lewd acts with a child (Penal Code 288) to a lesser misdemeanor or secure probation instead of prison time.

Finally, our skilled Los Angeles sex crimes attorneys will address potential long-term consequences, such as mandatory sex offender registration. They may argue for lesser charges that avoid registration or position you for future removal from the registry if convicted.

Throughout the process, they’ll guide you through Los Angeles’s complex criminal court system, from arraignment to trial, ensuring your rights are protected. With the DA’s recent policy to expedite felony sex crime filings, an experienced defense attorney’s proactive approach, challenging evidence, leveraging delays, and crafting tailored defenses are essential to minimizing penalties and preserving your future.

What To Do After an LA Sex Crimes Arrest 

Take the following actions immediately if you’re arrested in LA for a sex crime:

• Stay Silent and Request an Attorney: Exercise your right to remain silent and avoid discussing the case with the police, as anything you say can be used against you. Politely state, “I want to speak to my attorney.” Under the law, police must stop questioning you once you invoke this right.
• Do Not Consent to Searches: Refuse any searches of your person, home, or devices without a warrant. If the police insist, calmly note your objection but do not physically resist. Illegal searches can be challenged later by your attorney.
• Contact Our LA Sex Crimes Lawyers Immediately: Hire our experienced Los Angeles attorneys skilled in sex crime defense. We can guide you through the process, challenge evidence, and build a defense. 
• Avoid Discussing the Case: Do not talk about the allegations with anyone other than your attorney, including friends, family, or cellmates. Conversations may be monitored or used as evidence.
• Document Everything: Write down details of your arrest, including officer interactions, times, and conditions, while the memory is fresh. Share this only with your attorney.
• Prepare for Bail: After booking, you may be eligible for bail, depending on the charges and your criminal history. A bail bondsman can assist if you cannot pay the full amount. Your attorney can argue for reasonable bail at a hearing.
• Understand the Charges: Sex crimes in Los Angeles, like rape (Penal Code 261), lewd acts with a child (Penal Code 288), or indecent exposure (Penal Code 314), vary in severity. Felonies carry harsher penalties, including prison and sex offender registration. Your attorney will explain the specific charges and potential consequences.
• Follow Legal Advice: Your Chudnovsky Law attorney may recommend avoiding social media, gathering character references, or preparing for court appearances. Comply strictly to strengthen your defense.
• Know the Process: After arrest, you’ll be booked, possibly released on bail, and arraigned (where you enter a plea). The Los Angeles DA’s Office prioritizes sex crime prosecutions, so expect a thorough investigation. Your attorney can negotiate plea deals or prepare for trial.

Contact Our Los Angeles Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers 

A sex crime conviction can lead to prison time, a permanent criminal record, and social stigma that lasts forever. However, charges are not convictions, and our LA sex crimes lawyers at Chudnovsky Law can work to avoid a conviction whenever possible. 

If you have been charged with a sex crime, call Chudnovsky Law at (213) 212-5002 or use our online form. Do not delay consulting our LA sex crimes defense lawyers. The longer you wait, the more likely you will say or do something to damage your defense.

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