You never thought it would come to this. The accusation may be a misunderstanding, exaggerated, or false. In Pico Rivera, CA, a sex crime allegation can put prison, PC 290 registration, and your reputation at risk before a case is even filed. What you do in the first 48 hours matters.
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 Pico Rivera, CA. We investigate, challenge the evidence, negotiate when that protects you, and try the case when it does not.
We give you someone you can count on. Call (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to speak with a sex crimes lawyer in Pico Rivera, CA, about your charges.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Pico Rivera, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously in Pico Rivera, CA
A sex crime charge is not a typical misdemeanor or even a typical felony. A conviction can mean:
- A potentially lengthy prison sentence
- Mandatory or discretionary sex offender registration under Penal Code § 290
- Frequently, notifications to the public regarding your conviction
- The potential loss of child custody
- Electronic monitoring
Don't wait while the prosecution builds a case against you. Call your Pico Rivera, CA, sex crimes lawyer and start building your defense now.
You've Been Charged With a Sex Crime in Pico Rivera, CA: These Are Your Next Steps
- Avoid contact with the alleged victim — Any contact, for whatever reason, is not a good idea. You could face additional charges for witness intimidation.
- Keep quiet during interrogations. Respectfully request to speak with your attorney.
- Don't give permission to search your property if investigators don't have a warrant and if you don't have a defense attorney present.
- Preserve everything. Don't delete texts, photos, apps, location history, or social media — deletion is often argued as consciousness of guilt.
- Write a private timeline for your lawyer only: It's important that your lawyer has a full view of the situation.
- If given bail conditions, take every effort to adhere to them (stay-away orders, no-contact, travel, devices).
- Talk to a professional for help handling the stress — look for local mental health resources to help cope with the stress of your case.
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On your own, it can be a lot to handle. But with a leading Pico Rivera, CA, sex crimes lawyer, you have an advantage inside and outside of court.
Get Help With the Following Pico Rivera, CA, Sex Crime Charges
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape is charged under Penal Code § 261. In Pico Rivera, CA, it is a felony with a triad of 3, 6, or 8 years in state prison in a typical case, plus fines and usually Tier 3 lifetime registration. Sexual assault, meanwhile, is a catch-all term for several violent sex crimes (often including rape and sexual battery).
In the past, a rape accusation between spouses had different consequences that were considered more lenient. Today, though, this no longer applies, and alleged rapes between spouses are treated the same as any other.
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
Not every statutory rape charge is the same, but all of them are serious. If the alleged victim was within 3 years of the alleged offender's age, it is a misdemeanor. Anything beyond that, and the prosecution has discretion to charge the crime as a felony. Additionally, there can be enhanced penalties if the alleged offender is over the age of 21 and the alleged victim is under the age of 16.
Internet 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 and Deepfake Pornography
As AI continues to advance at a fast rate, California lawmakers are creating regulations on its use. These laws often intersect with sex crimes as they relate to pornography. Recent laws have established that AI-generated child pornography can be prosecuted as if it were an image of an actual child. Deepfake pornography is also addressed in other California criminal laws. As these laws continue to develop, it's important to work with a sex crimes lawyer in Pico Rivera, CA, who is familiar with the most recent laws and updated regulations.
Prostitution
Prostitution has a long history in the United States, but is currently illegal in California. The state defines prostitution as exchanging a sexual act for something of value, which is often (but not always) money. The same law covers both acting as a prostitute and soliciting a prostitute, and the penalties include up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Additionally, sentence enhancements can add mandatory minimums of jail time and/or the suspension of your driver's license.
Related Charges
In Pico Rivera, CA, we also defend indecent exposure (PC § 314), lewd conduct in public (PC § 647(a)), failure to register (PC § 290.018), human trafficking (PC § 236.1), 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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Defends Each of the Following
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 Pico Rivera, 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. We obtain police reports, body-cam footage, SART/rape-kit notes, pretext-call recordings, phones, cloud accounts, and expert review of DNA, toxicology, and digital media. Many cases turn on delayed disclosure, inconsistent statements, suggestive interviewing of children, or missing intent.
Motions. Suppression under Penal Code § 1538.5, challenges to statements (Miranda / voluntariness), evidentiary fights under Evidence Code §§ 782, 1108, and 1101 (prior sexual conduct of the complaining witness, propensity evidence in sex offense cases, and character evidence generally), and motions to dismiss weak or overcharged counts.
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.
Top 5 Pico Rivera, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Qualitities
- Previous experience defending clients against similar or the same charges
- Readiness to help right away, no matter what stage your case is at
- Honesty and transparency when discussing your case
- Availability and a single point of contact
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Penalties (General Statutory Ranges)
| 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 the majority of sex crime cases may follow these guidelines, sentencing enhancements can greatly alter the end punishment. Every case is individual. However, a jail sentence is often over long before the other main consequences of a sex crime conviction: Being placed on the sex offender registry.
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 — generally 10 years (5 years in some juvenile cases). Examples: misdemeanor sex crimes are often Tier 1, notably sexual battery and some child pornography possession.
- Tier 2 — 20 years for adults, but 10 years for some juveniles. Examples: lewd acts with a minor under 14 and some sodomy cases.
- Tier 3 — lifetime for the most serious offenses (e.g., sex trafficking of a child, sodomy by force, forcible rape) and certain repeat or high-risk designations.
Life on the sex offender registry is difficult — the public is able to look up your information, and it can impact employment opportunities, and leave lasting impacts long after a prison sentence. Talk to a sex crimes attorney to get help once you're eligible for removal.
Defense Strategies Your Pico Rivera, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer May 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 (custody, immigration, breakup, school discipline)
- Alibi — one of the strongest defenses against a sex crime accusation is to prove you were elsewhere at the time
- Insufficient proof of a required element — you have the presumption of innocence on your side
- Violation of your rights
- Child interviews that were coached or led to a certain end
- Entrapment, when law enforcement goes too far in convincing the alleged offender
- Charges were filed outside of the statute of limitations
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. Our client was accused of soliciting a prostitute who was actually a police officer. We negotiated a diversionary program and the dismissal of all charges.
- Statutory Rape (PC § 261.5) — Client Avoided Jail and Sex Offender Registration; Dismissal Available After Probation. Our client was accused of statutory rape, a wobbler offense that could have resulted in incarceration, followed by a lifetime on the sex offender registry. Through skillful negotiation, we secured a deal that avoided prison, avoided the sex offender registry, and presented the possibility of all changes of being dismissed, after a probation period..
- Rape (PC § 261) — Facing 25 Years to Life, All Charges Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing. The client was present at a gathering where two other individuals were separately accused of assaulting a woman; the client had no involvement in the alleged conduct. We demonstrated the client's lack of involvement, and the court dismissed all charges at the preliminary hearing. No public record of the case remains.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — Successful Consent Based Defense Protect Our Client From Prison. Using a consent-based defense, 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) — Defense Secured Dismissal of Charges, Avoiding Prison and Sex Offender Registration. The client faced three potential life terms with no bail. We looked into the evidence, and found that the claims were false. At the preliminary hearing, the judge believed our story and dismissed the charges. No public record of the case remains.
While past cases can help inform you on a firm's abilities, they do not necessarily represent results for a future case. Every case in Pico Rivera, CA, is evaluated on its own facts, and results depend on the specific evidence and circumstances involved.
Common Questions for Sex Crimes in Pico Rivera, CA
If I didn't do it, should I still contact a sex crimes lawyer?
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?
To protect your immigration status, you need to take these charges seriously. A conviction can be considered an aggravated felony or crime of moral turpitude, depending on the statute.
Is there a way off the sex offender registry in California?
California's sex offender registry has three tiers — tier 3 offenses require lifetime registration, but tier 2 and 1 both allow the possibility of removal after a time period has passed.
Does statutory rape require registration now?
Generally speaking, alleged statutory rape offenses that occured on or after January 1, 2026, require Tier 1 registration is required (with some nuance regarding age gap). If the alleged offense occurred prior to this, there is more discretion left up to the court.
What restrictions do sex offenders face in Califronia?
Every Pico Rivera, CA, resident on the sex offender registry is required to update their information regularly with local law enforcement. Some people may face additional restrictions, such as notifying law enforcement before travel, a ban on firearm possession, and restricted use of the internet.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Sex Crimes Lawyers in Pico Rivera, CA
There isn't a guaranteed way to beat these charges, but with professional help, you'll get guidance on how to maximize your chances.
Our phone lines are open 24/7. If you need a sex crimes lawyer in Pico Rivera, CA, call now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online. We're committed to our clients.
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