Los Angeles Sex Crime Attorney

What Is Considered An Internet Sex Crime?

Online sex crimes are a growing area of concern for prosecutors. These crimes often involve:

• Prostitution
• Indecent exposure
• Lewd conduct
• Child pornography
• Solicitation of minors for child abuse

An internet criminal offender can be prosecuted under state and federal law in California. Internet sex crimes can be particularly complex due to the involvement of digital evidence, such as computer hard drives, emails, and online activity logs.

Megan’s Law in California

Under California's Megan's Law, the names of convicted sex offenders can be viewed on the California website www.meganslaw.ca.gov. This allows the public to view information on sex offenders required to register with local law enforcement. However, approximately 25% of registered sex offenders are excluded from this public disclosure by law based on the type of sex crime for which the person is required to register.

Common Legal Defenses Against Sex Charges

A legal defense is a strategy used by the defendant in a criminal case to challenge or mitigate the prosecution's allegations. These defenses aim to raise doubts about the defendant's guilt or to argue that their actions were justified, excused, or mitigated in some way. In the context of sex crimes, several common legal defenses may be utilized:

• Consent: The defendant may argue that the sexual activity in question was consensual, meaning that both parties willingly participated. This defense is often used in cases of rape or sexual assault.
• Mistaken Identity: The defendant asserts that they were wrongly identified as the perpetrator of the sex crime. This defense might involve providing an alibi or presenting evidence that someone else committed the offense.
• Lack of Intent: The defendant may claim that they did not have the intent to commit the alleged sex crime. For example, they might argue that they did not realize the other person did not consent or that they mistakenly believed the other person was of legal age.
• Insufficient Evidence: The defense challenges the prosecution's evidence, arguing that it is not enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This might involve questioning the reliability of witnesses, the credibility of forensic evidence, or the legality of police procedures.
• Duress or Coercion: The defendant asserts that they were forced or threatened into engaging in the sexual activity against their will. This defense can be used when the defendant's actions were the result of fear for their safety or the safety of others.
• Mental Incapacity: The defendant may argue that they were mentally incapacitated at the time of the offense, either due to temporary insanity, intoxication, or another mental condition, which prevented them from understanding the nature of their actions or distinguishing right from wrong.
• Statute of Limitations: The defense may argue that the prosecution's case is barred by the statute of limitations, meaning that too much time has passed since the alleged offense occurred for the defendant to be prosecuted.
• Entrapment: The defendant asserts that they were induced or coerced by law enforcement into committing the offense, which they would not have otherwise committed.

Contact Our Sex Crimes Lawyer Today

Being convicted of a sex crime is a life changer. The penalties for sex crime offenses are harsh and usually come with long prison sentences as well as mandatory lifetime sex registration. Many sex crime cases are prosecuted even though there is a lack of physical evidence coupled with poor quality law enforcement investigations. In fact, many sex crime cases in Los Angeles are prosecuted on the sole basis of the victim's testimony such that the case is essentially a she said - he said situation. Call the Los Angeles sex crime attorneys at Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners to discuss your legal case. With more than 70 years of combined legal experience, our criminal defense lawyers can help you and aggressively defend you against sex crime charges.