What are the Penalties for Sex Crimes in California?
The consequences of a sex crime are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of the case. Specifically, the exact charge you are convicted of will determine what penalties you may face. Whether or not the crime of conviction is a felony or a misdemeanor plays a large role in the severity of the consequences you will face. Due to the serious nature of the offenses, most sex crimes are considered felonies.
Individuals convicted of most misdemeanor sex offenses, such as solicitation or prostitution, will be subject to up to 1 year in county jail on top of fines imposed by the court. Some misdemeanor sex offenses carry the requirement to register as a sex offender such as misdemeanor sexual battery (Penal Code 243.4). Individuals convicted of a felony sex offense are often facing state prison time in addition to fines and the requirement to register as a sex offender. For instance, if someone is convicted of rape by force or fear (Penal Code 261), they will be facing 3-8 years in state prison, formal supervision, and registration as a sex offender.
When determining whether or not your case will be filed as a felony or a misdemeanor, you need to look at the exact circumstances that led to the complaint. We talk to many different individuals who contact our firm prior to the criminal charges being filed, while they are still in the investigative stage of the process. At this point, we can look at all the details to make a projection about whether the case will be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. This allows us to begin building our defense as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
Contact an Oakland sex crime lawyer on our team today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the exact penalties you are facing and how we can help you navigate the criminal process from the investigation to questioning and, if needed, all the way through trial.