Some court cases, like traffic tickets, generally don't have major long-term impacts. You can contest it or pay the fine, then move on. Not so with sex crime cases. For those, you could be facing years in prison, massive fines, and sex offender registration. You need a sex crimes lawyer in Irvine, CA to help you handle these charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends people accused of sex crimes in Irvine, CA — with offices across Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties) as well as Central and Northern California (Kern, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Fresno, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento, Sonoma, Alameda, San Joaquin, and San Francisco counties, and beyond). Our goal is to find the best outcome for you, whatever that looks like for your situation.
We will fight for you. Call (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a no-strings-attached review of your charges.
President David S. Chesley, Irvine, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously in Irvine, CA
Irvine, CA treats sex crime accusations very seriously. Without an experienced sex crimes attorney, you could be facing:
- Months or even years behind bars
- Years (or even a lifetime) on the sex offender registry
- Frequently, notifications to the public regarding your conviction
- Employment, licensing, housing, custody, and immigration consequences
- Electronic monitoring
Don't try to face these consequences alone. The right Irvine, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you minimize or even avoid them.
How to Handle Irvine, CA, Sex Crime Accusations
- Don't talk to the person accusing you — for any reason whatsoever. Doing so often just looks like intimidating the alleged victim.
- Keep quiet during interrogations. Plead the Fifth Amendment and politely ask to speak with your lawyer.
- Don't give permission to search your property without a warrant and if you don't have a defense attorney present.
- Preserve everything. Don't delete anything, as this can be twisted as hiding evidence.
- Write a private timeline for your lawyer only: Without a full picture, they won't be able to build a complete defense.
- If given bail conditions, take every effort to adhere to them — if you don't, it can make you look guilty in the eyes of the jury.
- Get support outside the case — handling criminal charges is stressful, and it's normal to need some professional help.
Together with your Irvine, CA, sex charge defense attorney, you can set your case up for a positive outcome.
Get Help With the Following Irvine, CA, Sex Crime Charges
Rape and Sexual Assault
It's hard to think of a crime that is publicly regarded as worse than rape in Irvine, CA. A conviction means up to 8 years in prison, as well as sex offender registration. Sexual assault, meanwhile, is a catch-all term for several violent sex crimes (often including rape and sexual battery).
California used to have a separate law regarding spousal rape, but this was repealed in 2021.
Child Sex Crimes
There are a wide range of potential child sex crime accusations in California, including lewd acts with a child, sexual abuse, and possession of child pornography. California has no general "Romeo and Juliet" defense. Age, force, and the specific code section drive both prison exposure and the registration tier.
Statutory Rape
In California court, statutory rape is often referred to as "unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor." These allegations state that a person had sex with someone under the age of 18. This technically makes it illegal for two minors to have sex with each other, but most of the time, these allegations are used in cases where an adult supposedly had sex with a minor. Common defenses include demonstrating an honest belief that the adult believed the minor was over the age of 18 or that sexual intercourse did not occur (though the latter defense can still result in other child sex crime charges). Talk with your Irvine, CA, child sex crimes lawyer before taking a plea or establishing a defense.
Internet and Digital Sex Crimes
Internet sex crimes vary widely in nature. Some overlap with child sex crimes (the possession, production, or distribution of child pornography, for example), while others are crimes even if the conduct only involved adults (posting of revenge porn, for example). Defenses often hinge on whether or not the alleged offender was the one to break the law, or if another person was using their computer/profile.
Deepfake Sexual Content
Deepfake sexual content can result in both criminal and civil liabilities. On the criminal side, California law has made it illegal to share photorealistic, intimate images of an identifiable person, even if they are artificial or AI-generated. A first conviction is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, while repeat convictions can be punished with up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking is a subcategory of human trafficking under California law. Human trafficking is defined as depriving someone of their freedom and forcing them into labor — sex trafficking is the informal name for when that labor involves a sexual nature (such as pimping or creating child pornography). In particular, sex trafficking involving children is treated harshly and can result in life imprisonment in some circumstances. Some people may think that trafficking charges only happen (or apply) to immigrants, but the alleged victim can be of any nationality.
Related Charges
In Irvine, CA, we also defend indecent exposure (PC § 314), lewd conduct in public (PC § 647(a)), failure to register (PC § 290.018), prostitution and solicitation (PC § 647(b)), loitering with intent to commit prostitution (PC § 653.22), pimping/pandering (PC §§ 266h, 266i), incest (PC § 285), aggravated sexual assault of a child (PC § 269), and assault with intent to commit a sex offense (PC § 220). Those pages are linked from the list below.
Accused of a Below Sex Crime? Call Us Today
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child · AI-Generated / Deepfake Sexual Content · Annoying or Molesting a Child · Arranging a Meeting With a Minor · Assault with Intent to Commit a Sex Offense · Child Molestation (PC 288) · Child Pornography · Enticing a Minor · Failure to Register · Human Trafficking (Sex Trafficking) · Incest · Indecent Exposure · Lewd Acts · Lewd Conduct in Public · Loitering to Commit Prostitution · Oral Copulation by Force · Oral Copulation or Sodomy With a Minor · Penetration by Force · Pimping and Pandering · Prostitution / Solicitation · Rape · Revenge Porn · Sex With a Minor / Statutory Rape · Sexting Involving Minors · Sexual Abuse · Sexual Assault · Sexual Battery · Sodomy by Force
Will Help You Fight the Charges
Pre-filing and investigation. If you are being investigated but not yet charged in Irvine, CA court, we try to control contact with police, preserve favorable evidence, and, when appropriate, present a package that argues against filing.
Discovery and forensics. We don't just let the district attorney build a case against you — we reexamine any evidence and look for inconsistencies or other weaknesses. We can also reach out to expert witnesses and forensic labs to review everything and look for alternatives to the state's narrative.
Motions. Suppression. Motions can do many things for your case. One of the first motions we often file is a motion for bail reduction. This can help you secure pretrial release. After that, we'll frequently follow with a motion to suppress evidence and/or a motion to dismiss charges.
Negotiation. The registration tier often matters more than a few months of custody. Reducing a Tier 3 offense to a non-registerable or Tier 1/2 charge can be the entire case.
Trial and sentencing. If the case should be tried, we try it. If there is a conviction, we litigate strikes, enhancements, and PC 290 placement.
Looking for a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Irvine, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Previous experience defending clients against similar or the same charges
- Dedication to Connections with prosecutors and judges in Irvine
- Honest assessment of registration risk, not just "jail vs. no jail"
- Availability and a single point of contact
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Irvine, CA, Sex Crime Penalties
| Charge | Statute | Level | Typical Custody Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | PC § 261 | Felony | 3, 6, or 8 years state prison; fine up to $10,000 |
| Statutory Rape | PC § 261.5 | Misd. or wobbler | Up to 1 year jail, or 16 months–4 years (facts-dependent) |
| Sexual Battery | PC § 243.4 | Misd. or felony | Up to 6 months jail, or 2, 3, or 4 years prison |
| Lewd Act With a Child Under 14 | PC § 288(a) | Felony | 3, 6, or 8 years (higher if force or younger child) |
| Arranging a Meeting With a Minor | PC § 288.4 | Wobbler | Up to 1 year jail, or 2, 3, or 4 years prison |
| Indecent Exposure | PC § 314 | Misd. or felony | Up to 1 year, or 16 months–3 years |
| Child Pornography Possession | PC § 311.11 | Wobbler / felony | Jail, or 16 months–3+ years; registration often Tier 3 if felony |
| Prostitution / Solicitation | PC § 647(b) | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months jail; fine up to $1,000 |
While these numbers represent typical, general ranges, they can be altered by enhancing factors. . A rape conviction can also carry a separate PC § 264 restitution fine directed to victim assistance programs.
What You Need to Know About the Sex Offender Registry in California
If convicted, many sex crimes require you to register at one of the three below tiers:
- Tier 1 — typically for a 10-year term, or 5 years for most juvenile cases. Examples: indecent exposure (misdemeanor) and sexual battery (misdemeanor).
- Tier 2 — 20 years for adults, but 10 years for some juveniles. Examples: repeated annoying of a child, some sodomy cases, and some rape cases.
- Tier 3 — lifetime for the most serious offenses (e.g., forcible rape, kidnapping in conjunction with a sex crime, aggravated sexual assault of a child) and certain repeat or high-risk designations.
Rather than automatically being removed after a time period, it's on the individual to request removal after their time is up. Your sex crimes attorney can help you petition for removal from the sex offender registery.
Effective Defenses Versus Sex Crime Charges in Irvine, CA
- Consent (where the statute allows it — not for children below the age of consent)
- Honest misunderstandings regarding the age of the alleged victim. If they lied about their age, that may be enough to prove a lack of intent
- False or motivated accusation (custody, immigration, breakup, school discipline)
- Identity / alibi
- Lack of evidence — when the prosecution fails to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, your attorney can use that to sway the jury
- Illegally acquired evidence
- Unreliable child forensic interviews
- Entrapment, when law enforcement goes too far in convincing the alleged offender
- Charges were filed outside of the statute of limitations
Picking the right defense strategy is important, but it's not everything. You also need a persuasive Irvine, CA, sex crimes lawyer to present it.
Past Sex Offense Case Results
- Soliciting a Prostitute (PC § 647(b)) and Loitering with Intent to Commit Prostitution (PC § 653.22) — All Charges Dismissed. This client was accused of soliciting a prostitute who was a police agent working undercover. We evaluated potential entrapment issues and enrolled our client in a diversionary, educational program. The court dismissed the charges, and no lingering public records are available..
- Statutory Rape (PC § 261.5) — Client Avoided Jail and Sex Offender Registration; Dismissal Available After Probation. Our skillful team leveraged plea negotiations to help our client avoid a prison sentence and stay off of the ex offender registry.
- Rape (PC § 261) — Facing 25 Years to Life, All Charges Dismissed Before Trial. Our client came to us after being accused of rape. They were present at an event where two other individuals (charged separately) had assaulted a woman, but our client took no part in it. We presented our defense in the preliminary hearing and the case was dismissed. Our client's privacy is protected, as there is no public record of the case available.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — Facing 6 Years State Prison, No Jail Time, No Sex Offender Registration. Using a consent-based defense, we protected our client from an extended jail sentence and secured a favorable outcome, and our resolution also kept our client off of the California sex offender registry.
- Child Molestation (PC § 288) and Sodomy with a Child Under 10 (PC § 288.7) — Defense Secured Dismissal of Charges, Avoiding Prison and Sex Offender Registration. Our client was being held without bail and could have been sent to prison for life, if convicted. We examined the prosecution's evidence and were able to demonstrate to the court that the accusation was false, securing a dismissal. Our client's reputation is also protected, as there are no public records of this case.
Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. If you have questions about realistic outcomes for your case, talk to one of our Irvine, CA, sex crime lawyers today.
Common Questions for Sex Allegations in Irvine, CA
Can a sex crimes lawyer still help if the accusations aren't true?
Absolutely — with an attorney on your side, you can ensure that the state listens to your side of the story, and challenge any misconceptions about the evidence.
Would a conviction of a sex crime affect my immigration status?
It depends on the specific crime, but several sex crime convictions can be used as the basis for deportation.
Can a sex offender get off the registry in Irvine, CA?
Whether or not you can get off California's sex offender registry depends on what tier you were applied to it on. Tier 3 offenses generally do not allow the possibility for removal, while lower tiers do.
Does California's sex offender registry include statutory rape?
For many PC § 261.5(c) and (d) offenses committed on or after January 1, 2026, yes — Tier 1 — unless the 10-year age-gap exception applies. The court may still order PC § 290.006 registration. Get the dates and ages reviewed before you plead.
When should I call a lawyer?
As soon as you believe you're under suspicion. After an accusation or a "detective wants to hear your side" call, hours matter.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Sex Crimes Lawyers in Irvine, CA
Sex crimes are treated harshly in California, and you need a defense team with the experience and legal expertise to guide you through the process. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can provide that.
We are on your side — call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free review of the charges against you.
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