California’s Extended Statute of Limitations on Childhood Sex Crimes
California’s Extended Statute of Limitations on Childhood Sex Crimes
California’s Extended Statute of Limitations on Childhood Sex Crimes What Is AB 218? Because sex crimes against minors are prosecuted aggressively in California, the penalties for conviction are severe. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newson signed Assembly Bill 218 into law, which further expanded the legal rights of victims of childhood sex crimes. Under California’s previous statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, victims had to file a lawsuit either by…
Read More Can Possession of Adult Pornography Be Considered a Crime?
While most people know that child pornography is illegal, many are unaware that certain pornography involving adults can be unlawful as well. This occurs when pornography is deemed to constitute “obscene matter” under California Penal Code Section 311. Continue reading to learn when possession of adult pornography can be considered a crime. Definition of Obscene Matter (PC Section 311) According to PC Section 311, “obscene matter” is defined as matter…
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Sexting Laws in California
Sexting Laws in California What Is Sexting? Sexting refers to the sending of sexually explicit messages and pictures through text messaging. Due to the expansion of cell phones, social media, and online dating, sexting has risen as a relatively new type of sex crime. While sexting between two consenting adults is perfectly legal under California law, sexting can become a criminal act and result in harsh consequences in some circumstances. …
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Can You Confront Your Accuser in a Sex Abuse Case?
Can You Confront Your Accuser in a Sex Abuse Case? Within the United States Constitution, the Sixth Amendment has long served to provide basic protections to those accused of criminal offenses. One of these protections is the right for a defendant “to be confronted with the witnesses against him,” which has traditionally been interpreted to mean that the accused can directly face their accusers in an open court. In recent…
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List of Sex Crimes in Each Tier Under California’s Tiered Registry System
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…
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What is a Pretext Phone Call in a Sex Crimes Case?
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…
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California Tiered Registry Bill Fails to Pass
California has some of the harshest punishments for people who commit sex crimes. In most cases, you will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life if you are a convicted of a sex crime. However, California lawmakers had been working to change this lifetime consequence. A bill that would’ve reformed California’s sex offender registration system had gained momentum, but it recently was halted.…
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Victorville Repeals Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
Victorville Repeals Sex Offender Residency Restrictions If you are convicted of a sex crime in California, you will likely have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life under California Penal Code Section 290. Being labeled as a sex offender can greatly impact your life. You may not be able to find employment or housing, and you will have to deal with a negative stigma that…
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What Does Peeping Tom Mean Under California Law?
What Does Peeping Tom Mean Under California Law? “Peeping tom” is a term you may have heard before. In layman’s terms, it refers to someone who attempts to “peep” on others (typically when they may be nude) while they are in a private place. There are laws in California that make this type of behavior illegal. Let’s dive into those laws and how they define what Peeping Tom means. What…
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