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Los Angeles Courts

BEST STRATEGY IF YOU HAVE A SEX CRIME CASE IN CALIFORNIA

Having worked for both the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, I feel confident I can give you accurate information on this point.

The downtown courthouse (210 West Temple, Los Angeles, California) is the central hub of the District Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. Because the downtown courthouse is staffed by most of the D.A.'s prosecutors, they prefer that cases are filed and prosecuted there.

A special sex crime unit in the main L.A. courthouse only prosecutes sex crimes. Their marching orders come from the upper echelon of the District Attorney's Office.

The downtown judges also prioritize these cases and believe that they should be dealt with swiftly and harshly. It is up to your defense attorney to make sure that you are adequately defended and treated fairly.

Therefore, your criminal defense attorney is better battle-tested! Sex crimes are one area of law that I have seen many unwary attorneys be chewed up by a savvy prosecutor and a judge that has an eye towards punishment. In these situations, it is the clients who suffer the consequences.

The attorney may be embarrassed, but the unlucky client (who chose the wrong attorney) will do a hard time, have to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life, and have their name dragged through the mud. The moral of the story…choose your attorney wisely.

Is bail different in sex crime cases compared to other crimes?

The answer to this question is yes…the legislature and judges have made it abundantly clear that they will set higher bails on sex crime cases in Los Angeles and across the country.

For most crimes, judges will not “stack” the bail based on each charge filed against a particular client. However, when it comes to sex crimes, they will stack the bail as high as they deem appropriate. They are doing this under the premise of protecting the public.

It is tough to argue around this tendency as a defense attorney. However, to turn the tide in your client's favor and obtain a reasonable bail, the key factors the court will look at are whether your client is a flight risk and whether they are a danger to the community. Assessing these key areas is where a defense attorney can help their client achieve a reasonable bail.

When I argue a bail on behalf of my client, I am looking at whether they have a prior criminal record, any prior sex offenses, and whether they have failed to appear in court in the past.

Do they have a good job and a family that supports them, how much time has passed since the allegations and the person's arrest, and a host of other factors that can be used to argue for a bail that gets my client out of custody? Once again, your attorney is your champion and has the responsibility to do everything possible to protect and preserve your interests to the best of their ability.

Sex crimes are among the most severely prosecuted offenses in the Los Angeles downtown courthouse (210 West Temple Street, Los Angeles). While the justice system in California has made sex offenders register per Megan's Law, it has little correlation with the demise of sex crimes in Los Angeles.

Sex crimes are given special attention by the District Attorney's Office and the Judiciary. Many of the numerous sex crime cases prosecuted downtown are severe, while some are mere accusations.

The Los Angeles downtown Courthouse hears many false sex crime accusations or minor charges exaggerated and blown out of proportion. Those falsely accused of sex crimes, such as child molestation, rape, battery, or spousal abuse, will have severe punishments and maximum incarceration.

If you are being falsely accused of a sex crime, you need legal advice. If your constitutional rights have been violated, you should seek professional legal aid. An experienced Los Angeles sex offense lawyer will help you prove your case and actively pursue the clearance of your name, and save your reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sex crime?

A sex crime is a statutory offense when one knowingly causes another to engage in sexual acts using force, threat, or violence. This includes rape, child molestation, sexual battery, lewd conduct, and possession and intent of distributing child pornography (adult pornography and indecent exposure are not illegal).

What types of punishment do sex offenders receive?

If you are proven guilty of committing a sex offense, your punishment will vary depending on a misdemeanor or felony. A misdemeanor sex offense punishment may be up to 1-year imprisonment and may mandate therapy, treatments, or other forms of mental rehabilitation.

A felony sex offense punishment may be 1-year imprisonment to a life sentence. Many factors play a role in determining an offender's sentence, including similar prior sex offense charges, parole, and if you pose a serious threat to the community.

What is Megan's Law?

In California, there has been mandatory for most sex offenders to register with the state, but it wasn't until 1996 that the public had access to this list of names. Megan's Law provides the public with a list of registered sex offenders in any community in California.

Once you have been registered and charged with a sex offense, it can never be removed from your file. Megan's Law is named after a 7-year-old girl who was raped and murdered by a child molester who moved nearby without the family knowing who he was. All states have Megan's Law, which requires sex offenders to register their names with their condition.

We also represent the following Los Angeles Metro Court House Locations

Los Angeles Airport Court House – 11701 S. La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Pasadena Courthouse – 300 East Walnut Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101

Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse (Delinquency) – 16350 Filbert Street, Sylmar, CA 91342

Torrance Courthouse – 825 Maple Ave., Torrance, CA 90503

Van Nuys Courthouse East- 6230 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401

West Los Angeles Courthouse- 1633 Purdue Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025

We handle cases in all Los Angeles County cities, including Long Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pomona, West Covina, Santa Monica, Whittier, Redondo Beach, Culver City, Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, and Malibu.

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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