A sex crimes lawyer in sex crimes lawyer in Los Angeles, CA is a person you're probably not excited to call, but if you're facing accusations, you need one immediately. Whatever your situation is, this isn't the time to sit around and wait. The sooner you reach out to an expert, the better your chances are of a positive outcome. You need to get help now.
You need The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our criminal defense attorneys have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience and know how to defend against sex crimes in Los Angeles, CA. We handle everything from investigation to trial.
We will fight for you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a confidential, free case review.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Los Angeles, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, 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
- A social stigma that will follow you after release
- Employment, licensing, housing, custody, and immigration consequences
- Extensive fines and restitution requirements
Don't wait while the prosecution builds a case against you. Call your Los Angeles, CA, sex crimes lawyer and start building your defense now.
What to Do if You Have Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Los Angeles, CA
- Avoid contact with the alleged victim — for any reason whatsoever. That can be charged as witness intimidation or violating a protective order.
- When interviewed, don't answer questions. Say only: "I want to speak with my attorney."
- Decline any search requests if investigators don't have a warrant and without counsel.
- Protect evidence that you have access to. Trying to delete or hide evidence can end up making you look more guilty.
- Tell your Los Angeles, CA, sex crimes defense attorney everything: Without a full picture, they won't be able to build a complete defense.
- Follow every release condition exactly — you can face serious penalties for breaking these.
- Talk to a professional for help handling the stress — handling criminal charges is stressful, and it's normal to need some professional help.
Above all of the above, the most important thing you need to do is get help from an expert Los Angeles, CA, sex crimes defense lawyer right away. .
Charges a Los Angeles, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help You Fight
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape is arguably the most serious sex crime charge you can face in Los Angeles, CA. A conviction can send you to prison for years, and permanently put you on the sex offender registry. "Sexual assault" is not one statute — it often means rape, sexual battery (PC § 243.4), nonconsensual oral copulation (PC § 287), sodomy (PC § 286), or penetration with a foreign object (PC § 289).
In the past, California has separate laws for rape between spouses versus general rape. However, this was repealed and does not apply today.
Child Sex Crimes
In California, child molestation is not covered by a single law, but is a category for acts such as lewd acts with a child and the sexual abuse of a child. Even in cases where there wasn't a physical, sexual act involving a child, you can face charges for enticing a minor for lewd purposes.
Statutory Rape
Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor is a misdemeanor or a wobbler depending on ages. Important 2026 change: for offenses on or after January 1, 2026, SB 680 added certain PC § 261.5(c) and (d) convictions to PC § 290. Those cases can require Tier 1 (10-year) registration, unless the defendant was not more than 10 years older than the minor and that is the only registerable conviction. Courts can still order registration under PC § 290.006. Offenses before January 1, 2026 are not brought onto the registry by SB 680. This should be analyzed before any plea.
Online and Digital Sex Crimes
These include child sexual abuse material (PC §§ 311–311.11), sending harmful matter to a minor (PC § 288.2), sexting involving a minor, and sting cases built on chats with an officer posing as a minor. Adult "revenge porn" is a separate offense under PC § 647(j)(4) and related statutes. Digital forensics — who had the device, hash values, unallocated space, account takeover, and intent — often decide the case.
AI-Generated Sexual Content Involving Children
Child pornography, also known as child sexual abuse material, is illegal at both the California state and federal levels — even if it was generated with AI. This means that it doesn't matter whether the depicted child is real or fictional — creating and distributing these types of images is against the law. If you're accused of this, you need a sex crimes lawyer who can defend you in both state and federal court.
Indecent Exposure
Indecent exposure might not sound like as big of a deal as sex crimes like rape, but you can still face major consequences. This charge alleges that someone intentionally exposed their privates to another person in an offensive way. Most first offenses are only a misdemeanor, but aggravated or repeat convictions can be elevated to a felony. Additionally, even for a misdemeanor conviction, sex offender registration is required. To minimize your chance of long-term consequences, call your Los Angeles, CA, sex crimes lawyer right away.
Related Charges
In Los Angeles, CA, we also defend human trafficking (PC § 236.1), 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.
Charges We Handle
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
How a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA
Pre-filing and investigation. The fight for your freedom doesn't begin when charges are filed — it begins as soon as the authorities start to look at you. These early days are crucial for setting your case up for success — having an expert sex crimes lawyer can help you preserve exculpatory evidence and maybe even negate charges from being filed in the first place.
Discovery and forensics. Evidence can play a major role in sex crime cases. We'll not only look at everything that the state has discovered, but also conduct our own investigations to find anything that can help your defense.
Motions. Suppression. The right motions can set your case up for success. In addition to motions we commonly file (like suppression and dismissal), in sex crime cases we often file a motion to suppress identification. Unfortunately, misidentification can occur more often than it should in criminal cases, and sex crimes are no exception.
Negotiation. A sex crime charge defense isn't just about avoiding incarceration; it's about staying off of the sex offender registry. A plea deal can be a compromise that protects your reputation.
Trial and sentencing. Not every case can be handled through negotiations. When talks break down, we use our defensive strategy to persuade the jury. And if the outcome is guilty on any charge, we'll advocate for you in sentencing.
Looking for a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Previous experience defending clients against similar or the same charges
- Dedication to Connections with prosecutors and judges in Los Angeles
- Honesty and transparency when discussing your case
- Availability and a single point of contact
- A feeling that you're being treated like a person, not a paycheck
Legal Punishments for Sex Crime Convictions in Los Angeles, CA
| 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. Talk to a sex crimes lawyer about what your exposure actually is. If convicted of rape, you may also be required to pay a fine.
What You Need to Know About the Sex Offender Registry in California
California uses a three-tier system (SB 384, in effect since 2021):
- 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 — generally 20 years. 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.
After the minimum period, Tier 1 and Tier 2 registrants may petition for termination under PC § 290.5 if they meet the statutory criteria. Tier 3 is different — relief, if any, is narrower. Failure to register is its own crime. Your Los Angeles, CA, sex crimes lawyer should treat registry exposure as a charging and plea issue from day one, not an afterthought at sentencing.
Defenses Our Los Angeles, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyers Use
- Consent applies in several sex crime charges, since many are only illegal if a party did not 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 False accusations — sometimes, it can be just as important to show why the person is making the accusation as it is to show your innocence. If an ulterior motive is revealed, this can be a powerful part of a defense startegy
- Alibi — one of the strongest defenses against a sex crime accusation is to prove you were elsewhere at the time
- Lack of evidence — ultimately, it's on the prosecution to prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If they fail to do so, we will highlight that
- Violation of your rights
- Entrapment, when law enforcement goes too far in convincing the alleged offender
This isn't just about defense strategies; this is about telling your side of the story in a convincing way, whether it's too a district attorney, a judge, or a jury.
Past Sex Offense Case Results
- Soliciting a Prostitute (PC § 647(b)) and Loitering with Intent to Commit Prostitution (PC § 653.22) — All Charges Dismissed. We protected our client's record after being accused of solicitation. Through skillful negotiation, we were able to have all charges dismissed after the completion of an educational program.
- Statutory Rape (PC § 261.5) — No Jail Time, No Sex Offender Registration, Dismissed Upon Completion of Probation. When our client was accused of statutory rape, we leveraged our defense to negotiate a probation sentence which, if completed, will allow for the dismissal of all charges, no prison time, and keep our client off of the California sex offender registry.
- Rape (PC § 261) — Felony Accusation, All Charges Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing. 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. This also protected our client's reputation, as no records of the case are public.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — Successful Consent Based Defense Protect Our Client From Prison. Through a defense built around consent, we protected our client from an extended jail sentence and secured a favorable outcome, avoiding a felony strike and sex offender registration.
- Child Molestation (PC § 288) and Sodomy with a Child Under 10 (PC § 288.7) — Charges Dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing. The client faced three potential life terms with no bail. We examined the prosecution's evidence and were able to demonstrate to the court that the accusation was false, securing a dismissal. As an added bonus, our client's privacy is protected as any remaining records are not available to the public.
While past cases can help inform you on a firm's abilities, they do not necessarily represent results for a future case. Our sex crime defense attorneys will evaluate your case based on its own merits and help you in finding the best outcome for your unique situation.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sex Crime Charges in Los Angeles, CA
If I didn't do it, should I still contact a sex crimes lawyer?
Yes. Innocence does not stop an investigation, an arrest, or a filing decision. Counsel is how your evidence gets into the file and how illegal searches and bad interviews get challenged.
How will a sex crime conviction in Los Angeles, CA, affect immigration status?
Many sex convictions are treated as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude. Discuss immigration consequences before any plea.
Are people convicted of stautory rape put on the sex offender registry?
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?
Before you speak to police if you can. The sooner you bring in an expert Los Angeles, CA, sex crimes lawyer, the better your chances of a positive outcome.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Sex Crimes Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA
Working with the right attorney can protect your freedom and defend you against the related social stigma. And you need to get started right away.
Get help right away — call us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to talk with your Los Angeles, CA, sex crimes lawyer.
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