CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

False Accusation • Child Molestation
Crimes Against Children • Sexual Assault on a Child

                                                 Los Angeles Child Molestation Defense Attorney
                                                Los Angeles Sex Crimes Attorney

Los Angeles Child Molestation Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested or are under investigation for Child Molestation in California, you need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Being accused of a sex crime involving children can mean a lifetime of severe consequences. Even when you are certain of your innocence, you need an experienced California sex crimes attorney to protect your rights during this extremely difficult time.

In order to defend against allegations of child abuse or molestation you must first come to grips with the realities of our criminal justice system. In my opinion, the presumption of innocence does not exist in these types of cases. In this country, anyone accused of a sex crime against a child is presumed guilty by the general public. You must be prepared to prove your innocence in order to stand a chance. As your attorney, my job is to prove that you are innocent by developing the strongest defense possible. I will do my best to win your case by proving your innocence.

False Accusations - Do Children Lie?
One of the things that make child molestation charges so dangerous is that in many cases there are no witnesses and no evidence to support the allegations of abuse. The whole case comes down to the credibility of the parties involved. False accusations occur, and when they do, it can be extremely difficult to build a defense. Children can lie about being molested without understanding the seriousness of the statements they make. They can also be easily influenced by adults, teachers, relatives or friends, who believe they should make these claims. Children may also be motivated to lie in order to please one of their parents in a divorce and child custody case. Teenagers have been known to make false sexual allegations because it gives them a feeling of power over and independence from a particular adult in their life; but they have no idea of the consequences attached to making a false accusation. Regardless of why children accuse people of molesting them, once the allegation has been made, it is virtually impossible to make the charges go away without a criminal investigation by local law enforcement. That is why a child abuse or sexual molestation charge must be aggressively defended from the start.

Preparing Your Defense
Even with minor offenses, plea bargains are generally not acceptable — most sexual molestation crimes involving children are felonies, and being convicted for one results in prison time and sex registration for life. Obtaining an acquittal requires getting trial-ready early in the case. At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates, we put together a team of defense experts, private investigators and psychologists who know the most effective strategies for building an effective defense. The earlier you get us involved, the better your outcome will be.

Sex Offender Registration
If you are convicted of child molestation /abuse and other sexually related crimes involving children you will be required to register as a sex offender under California Penal Code Section 290. Juveniles also have to register as sex offenders. In California, all sex offenders have to register within five days of being released from prison and then any time they change their address or name. They also have to update their registration information every year. Some sex offenders (e.g., sexually violent predators) have to update their registration more often. In California, deliberately failing to register is a felony and may require county jail or prison time. Most sex offenders must continue to register throughout their entire lives.

Choose a Dedicated Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been falsely accused or suspected of child abuse or molestation, or you are being investigated or have been charged with committing a crime against children, it is critically important to entrust your case to an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the law and how to handle and defend these types of cases.

Whatever you do, do not attempt to handle this matter on your own or with advice from family members. While you may be tempted to explain your side of the story to law enforcement, it is important not to say anything without proper legal advice. If you have been contacted by the police or a social worker for an interview, DO NOT SPEAK to them unless your attorney is present. Anything you say can and will be used against you!

At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates, we have successfully handled child sexual abuse/molestation, sexual assaults, lewd conduct, indecent exposure, child pornography, and internet sex offenses in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. We have successfully defended clients in many cases involving false accusations by children and have kept a number of falsely-accused individuals from going to prison.

Contact Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates NOW for a free evaluation.

Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez
633 West 5th Street
26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071

Telephone
(213) 223-2173