Sex Crimes Articles
After-School Program Supervisor Charged with Sexual Abuse
After-school programs are usually a positive thing for a community. Parents who can’t be home from work have a place to send their kids for the few hours before they get home; students get a chance to do homework early, or take a break and have fun with their friends; and those who volunteer to work with these young girls and boys get to engage in a rewarding program that…
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A New Law Lessens the Harshest Penalty for Indecent Exposure
There is a dramatic change coming to California’s criminal justice system that will alter the amount of time those who have been convicted of certain crimes will have to spend on the registry of sex offenders. Under current law, any person required to register as a sex offender endures a life sentence on that registry, regardless of how severe the crime they committed (PC 290). Beginning on January 1, 2021,…
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List of Sex Crimes in Each Tier Under California’s Tiered Registry System
If you are convicted of a sex crime in California, you may have thought that you would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. However, this will change on January 1, 2021. That is because Senate Bill 384, which was approved by then-governor Jerry Brown, will bring major changes to the sex offender registration system. Under the new tiered sex offender registry, some sex…
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What is a Pretext Phone Call in a Sex Crimes Case?
If you are under investigation for a sex crime, you need to be on your guard, because the police will likely resort to tactics and tricks that can cause you to unwittingly incriminate yourself. One technique in particular can be very effective if you are not careful: the pretext phone call. Here’s how law enforcement will attempt to get you to incriminate yourself without you ever knowing they are listening…
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When Do You Have to Register as a Sex Offender after Release from Custody?
If you are convicted of a sex crime, you may face time in jail or prison. As part of your sentence, you will likely have to register as a sex offender once you are released from custody under California Penal Code Section 290. So, how do you register as a sex offender and how soon after being released from custody must you register? Let our skilled sex crimes lawyers explain…
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What is Revenge Porn? (PC 647(j)(4))
You are probably familiar with the term “revenge porn.” Laws making revenge porn illegal in California went into effect in 2014 and they came to greater prominence after an incident involving celebrities Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna in 2017. Although you may have heard the phrase “revenge porn” before, you may not know exactly what the term means. Let’s take a closer look at the definition of revenge porn under…
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The Difference Between Sexual Battery and Rape
While pretty much everyone has heard the terms “sexual battery” and “rape,” there is often confusion as to what these terms really mean. Our experienced sex crimes lawyers have been successfully defending clients facing sexual battery and rape charges for more than 35 years. Our lawyers know how California distinguishes these separate criminal offenses. Let’s examine the difference between sexual battery and rape. The Crime of Sexual Battery (PC 243.4)…
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Use of Experts in a Sex Crime Case
The criminal justice system asks a lot of jurors. Determining someone’s guilt is not easy. However, jurors are not required to understand complex topics or be experts in every category. That is why expert witnesses are often called to testify by both the prosecution and the defense. An expert witness is a person who is allowed to testify at trial because he or she has a special knowledge or proficiency…
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How to Avoid Being Accused of a Sex Crime
When you hear the term “sex offender” you probably think of someone who committed a horrific crime. However, in many cases, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you could find yourself facing sex crime charges for an act that you thought was consensual sex. It happens often. That is why you should learn how to avoid being accused of a sex crime. Here are some tips from…
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Consequences of Exposing a Partner to HIV Reduced (HS 120290)
Intentionally exposing a sexual partner to HIV is a crime in California. Lawmakers realize that transmitting this disease is a threat to public safety. However, exposing sexual partners to other types of communicable diseases was not punished as severely. That is why California lawmakers recently passed a law that reduced the punishment for intentionally exposing a sexual partner to HIV and makes it in line with the penalties for other…
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