You never thought it would come to this. The accusation may be a misunderstanding, exaggerated, or false. In Westlake Village, 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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends people accused of sex crimes in Westlake Village, 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). We handle everything from investigation to trial.
We will fight for you. Call (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to get help from your Westlake Village, CA, sex crimes lawyer.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Westlake Village, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why Westlake Village, CA, Sex Crime Cases Are Different
A sex crime charge is not a typical misdemeanor or even a typical felony. A conviction can mean:
- Months or even years behind bars
- Registration as a sex offender
- Public labelling as a sex offender
- Family, job, and immigration challenges
- A federal firearms ban and, in some cases, passport restrictions
Trying to "clear it up" with police, the accuser, or a school or Title IX office almost always makes the file worse. You need counsel who will protect the record and the rest of your life.
What to Do if You Have Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Westlake Village, CA
- Don't talk to the person accusing you — No matter what your intentions are, it's a bad idea. That can be charged as witness intimidation or violating a protective order.
- Do not talk to police, detectives, or campus investigators. Respectfully request to speak with your attorney.
- Don't share your phone or let investigators access your property if investigators don't have a warrant and without counsel.
- Protect evidence that you have access to. Don't delete anything, as this can be twisted as hiding evidence.
- Tell your Westlake Village, CA, sex crimes defense attorney everything: The more your attorney knows, the better defense they can build.
- Follow every release condition exactly (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.
.
Together with your Westlake Village, CA, sex charge defense attorney, you can set your case up for a positive outcome.
Get Help With the Following Westlake Village, 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 Westlake Village, CA. A conviction means up to 8 years in prison, as well as sex offender registration.
Sexual assault (or sexual abuse) charges are often used as a catch-all that can include rape and other sexual crimes, most notably sexual battery. Sexual battery is defined in its own statute as the touching of another person's intimate parts without their consent, while the alleged victim was restrained. This touching must have been done for sexual purposes.
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
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. Some child sex crimes don't even have to involve actually abusing a child — California's enticing a minor statute makes it a crime just to try and presuade a child into engaging in sexual conduct, whether or not they actually do.
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.
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.
Prostitution and Related Offenses
Prostitution is illegal in much of the United States ostensibly for moral reasons. In California, prostitution-related crimes include the act of prostitution itself, soliciting a prostitute, and pimping/pandering (AKA helping someone else break a prostitution law for a profit). What this ultimately means is that involvement with prostitution can lead to criminal charges from any angle, even if it was a sting operation. Don't take these charges lightly — your Westlake Village, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you find a positive outcome.
Related Charges
In Westlake Village, 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
Westlake Village, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Guidance at Every Stage of Your Case
Pre-filing and investigation. Your defense doesn't begin when charges are filed — you should call a sex crimes lawyer in Westlake Village, CA, if you even think you are under investigation. We can help you set up your future case for a positive outcome, or avoid court entirely.
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. If we find that any of the state's evidence was wrongfully obtained, we will file a motion to suppress it, removing it from the case against you. And if their case is sufficiently weakened, we'll follow up with a motion to dismiss the charges against you.
Negotiation. Since prosecutors have large caseloads, they often prefer to settle through a plea deal rather than go to trial. The right sex charges defense attorney can leverage this to their advantage and find a good deal that protects your record.
Trial and sentencing. Some lawyers won't want to take cases to trial. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're prepared to present your defense in front of a judge and jury.
What to Look for in Your Westlake Village, CA Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Direct experience with your statute (PC 261 is not the same case as PC 288.4)
- Dedication to Connections with prosecutors and judges in Westlake Village
- Honesty and transparency when discussing your case
- Easy to contact and get updates on your case
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Westlake Village, CA, Sex Crime Penalties: What You're Facing
| 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. . But a conviction won't just lead to incarceration; it can also put you 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 — typically for a 10-year term, or 5 years for most juvenile cases. Examples: most misdemeanor sex offenses fall into this tier, and some non-violent felony offenses.
- Tier 2 — generally 20 years. Examples: many serious/violent registerable felonies that are not automatic lifetime.
- 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.
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.
Defense Strategies Your Westlake Village, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer May Use
- 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 False accusations — unfortunately, some people will make up criminal accusations in order to get something they want
- Misidentification — unfortunately, misidentification can result in false accusations, even if the alleged victim is not acting maliciously
- 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
- Child interviews that were coached or led to a certain end
- Entrapment when the supposed offender did not have a predisposition towards the crime, and the government coerced them into it
- 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 Westlake Village, CA, sex crimes lawyer to present it.
Former Sex Offense Case Results
- Soliciting a Prostitute (PC § 647(b)) and Loitering with Intent to Commit Prostitution (PC § 653.22) — All Charges Dismissed. The client was accused of offering money for sex to an undercover officer in a "fake prostitute" sting — a common tactic that can raise entrapment issues. We enrolled the client in an educational diversion program, and upon proof of successful completion, the court dismissed all charges. No public record of the case remains.
- Statutory Rape (PC § 261.5) — Protected Client From Jail, Sex Offender Registry, and Record. 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) — Felony Accusation, 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) — Our Defense Protected Our Client From 6 Years in Prison and Sex Offender Registration. By evaluating the evidence and presenting a narrative of consent, we protected our client from an extended jail sentence and secured a favorable outcome, with no strike and no sex offender registration.
- Child Molestation (PC § 288) and Sodomy with a Child Under 10 (PC § 288.7) — Charges Dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing. A conviction of these charges would have sent our client to prison for life, along with permanent sex offender registration. We examined the prosecution's evidence and were able to demonstrate to the court that the accusation was false, securing a dismissal. No public record of the case remains.
These results are representative of past performance, but do not guarantee future results. 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.
Common Questions for Sex Allegations in Westlake Village, CA
Can a sex crimes lawyer still help if the accusations aren't true?
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 Westlake Village, CA, affect immigration status?
Many sex convictions are treated as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude. Discuss immigration consequences before any plea.
Does statutory rape require registration now?
California updated its sex offender registration requirements for statutory rape effective January 1st, 2026. This mandates Tier 1 registration for most statutory rape convicts, unless the age gap was more than 10 years. Talk to your sex crimes lawyer before accepting any plea.
If I'm on the sex offender registry, what rules do I have to follow?
Some of the main requirements are to register with local law enforcement where they live, provide annual updates, and may face residency limitations.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Is Ready to Defend Your Sex Crimes Case
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.
Our phone lines are open 24/7. If you need a sex crimes lawyer in Westlake Village, CA, call now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online. We're dedicated to your case.
Payment Plans
