Blogs

This is an interesting concept because sexual assault really isn't a crime.  In other words, the crime is more touching the other party in an impermissible way -- in a sexual way. California Penal Code 243.4 defines the crime of sexual battery. That's where the sexual battery concept comes up, but assault really doesn't have you making any contact with…Read More

Child molestation cases are probably among the most serious cases filed by Los Angeles prosecutors and most times they're trying to seek prison for those individuals who get themselves arrested and prosecuted for these type of sex crimes. As far as how long in prison it will depend on a number of different factors because each case will have unique…Read More

This is a good question because a lot of people have a false view of how a sex crime case will be prove or prosecuted.  I can't tell you how many times people come into my office and say, well they don't have any evidence against me so I don't really understand why I've been arrested. I don't get it. …Read More

The reason for this is interesting and you really wouldn't think about it unless you have the inside information.  I defend a lot of human trafficking sex crime-related offenses in the Orange County California area. California Penal Code 236.1 defines the crime of human trafficking. Then speaking to the prosecutors, one of the biggest things that causes many cases to…Read More

If you don't know the Los Angeles downtown court at 210 West Temple, it is the main courthouse where most sex crimes are prosecuted.  The reason for this is directly across the street is the main hub of the District Attorney's office that handles sex crime cases at the Hall of Records.  All of the DA's are housed there. There's…Read More

The law in California implements harsh penalties regarding sexting with minors. Depending on the situation, the local authorities may hand over the case to the federal government if the crime is severe or involves a minor from a different country. If the crime happened across state lines or another state, the authorities would send the case to the state that…Read More

California defines aggravated sexual assault as the act of an individual who touches, attacks, or causes sexual harm on another person against his or her will.  The person who has the intent to assault has to have the thought pattern that they're going to try and sexually assault another person. Moreover, touching is not required for a person to claim…Read More

What Happens if the FBI or Police Come and Seize Your Computers and Other Devices in a Child Pornography Investigation? A lot of times people are at home and the FBI and/or police come, knock on the door and serve a search warrant. They take their computer and all of their electronic devices, including their phone, ask them a bunch…Read More

This is one of the more common charges that I see when it comes to people who have to register for sex crimes in Los Angeles and throughout California.  What they don't realize is, if you've been convicted of a sex crime, the police and prosecutors are going to be real quick to file a criminal case against you if…Read More

We get a lot of calls from people asking whether or not they can have consentual sex or engage in some sort of physical sexual activity with somebody under the age of 18 if that person agrees, and of course, in California the answer is no. So, if you touch anybody in a sexual way or have sex with somebody…Read More

This whole concept of catfishing has to do with somebody giving fake information to another person, and basically trying to lure them into a date or whatever circumstance they're trying to do.  Usually, you see it done through social media where an individual will send, for example, different pictures of themselves and different information and then they will meet a…Read More

I've been doing this for twenty-five years and I continue to see people being charged with sexual battery and a lot of times it's in the most innocuous way -- whether it be at a sporting event and somebody touches another person -- people real drunk at restaurants or fast-food locations touching women inappropriately -- the next thing you know…Read More

This is an interesting question because a lot of the rape cases that we see is one person's word against another's.  That makes it very difficult for the prosecutors to prove the case because the man is going to say one thing and the woman is going to say another thing, and then it ends up boiling down to the…Read More

The answer to this question is absolutely yes and that's one of the biggest weapons they have in criminal prosecutions, is to try and see if the person they are accusing of a sex crime -- whatever the crime may be -- whether it be rape or any other crime -- and see if they have any prior criminal record…Read More

Having practiced criminal defense now for twenty-five years and done many sex crime cases, I see more and more law enforcement trying to use these pretext phone calls in order to get evidence against those people they believe are involved in committing sex crimes. Definition of a Pretext Phone Call First, you need the definition of what a pretext phone…Read More