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Facing California Rape Charges When There Was Consent

How Can You Be Charged with Rape Under California Penal Code 261 PC of an Unconscious Person if She Agreed? This crime comes up a lot where people get together, whether they know each other or meet online, on social media,  or any internet apps.

They hook up for a date and go and have drinks, and then ultimately, they end up going back to someone's place or getting intimate in a vehicle, and sex occurs.

Perhaps some sex act and later the woman feels as though somehow, she was taken advantage of because she drank a lot and would never get intimate with somebody the first or second time she meets them, whatever the case may be.

Allegations of Too Intoxicated To Give Consent

Then you find yourself in a position of either the woman accusing you or law enforcement accusing you of raping an unconscious person, and the theory is that she was too drunk to consent. So, you get yourself in a position, for example:

  • both people drink,
  • you and the girl,
  • you're kissing, and one thing leads to another, and
  • some sexual activity takes place.

You're asking yourself if she's willingly kissing me and we end up having sex; we're both drunk, I believe it's consensual — how could I possibly be charged with rape.  This is how these guys are proving the case.

Defense of Consensual Sex in PC 261 Rape Allegations

So, you can start to get a feel for these charges in Los Angeles county when someone is charged with raping an unconscious person.

Defense of Consensual Sex in PC 261 Rape Allegations

First off, there's usually some angry text exchange between you and the woman, where she is accusing you of certain things.  Then the question becomes, what is your response?

I can't tell you how many clients are being accused of raping and taking advantage of a woman, and instead of them saying, what are you talking about?:

  • It was consensual,
  • You were kissing me,
  • You agreed,
  • We were both drunk,
  • How can you possibly now try to blame it on me?

The response is, I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have done that.  I don't know what came over me.  You can't have that response if you're going to say that you're innocent of raping an unconscious person.

Pretext Phone Call By Law Enforcement

Then when the police get involved, they will have the woman make a pretext phone call where she's going to call you.

They're going to record the conversation, which they're allowed to do if they're investigating a potential rape case, and they're going to give her questions to ask you and statements to make.

For example, the police will probably tell her to say; I can't believe you took advantage of me in that way.  Why would you do that?  I didn't want to have sex with you.

I've also seen the police say, I don't know what happened through the woman.  Did we have sex?  In other words, now they're trying to tell the woman was drunk, intoxicated, and couldn't possibly consent to the sex.  There's the key right there.

Taking Advantage of an Intoxicated Person

If someone agrees to have sex with you, there's no problem, but when that person doesn't agree, there is a problem. But what about that middle ground where the person was so drunk, they couldn't consent.

They were passed out five to ten drinks bottomless or some drug, whatever the case may be, and then you have sex with them.

That's where the rape of an unconscious person comes in because the person was so drunk and so passed out and blacked out that they couldn't consent.

So, the argument will be from the prosecutors that you took advantage of that person. Therefore, that's why they're charging you with rape of an unconscious person, and you're going to find yourself in one of the 38 courts in Los Angeles county.

Criminal Defense for California Rape Charges

Most of the time, when it comes to these rape cases, you're going to be going to the jurisdiction where the alleged rape occurred, and you'll have to deal in that court.

I've been doing this now for over 27 years.  I've worked for the DA's office.  I've worked for a Superior Court Judge, and I've been a criminal defense attorney handling these types of rape of unconscious person cases since 1994.

Criminal Defense for California Rape Charges

So, you've come to the right place.  Take the first step towards protecting your freedom, your rights, your ability not to have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life, your job, and a whole host of other things.

Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding.  We'll sit down and talk about everything, and I'll put my experience to work for you to help you get through this tough time.

Hedding Law Firm is a top-rated criminal defense law firm located at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436.

We serve clients in Southern California courts, including LA County, Orange County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Simi Valley, Riverside, and San Bernardino.

Contact Us Today

Hedding Law Firm is committed to answering your questions about state or federal sex crime issues in California and throughout the United States.

I'll privately discuss your case with you at your convenience. All consultations are free, discreet, and confidential. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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