Oral Copulation with a Minor

Oral Copulation with a Minor - California Penal Code 287 PC

California Penal Code 288a PC oral copulation with a minor law was changed to Penal Code 287 PC on January 1, 2021, as part of California Senate Bill 1494. This type of offense can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony and carries serious consequences that can be life-altering.

The crime can be accomplished by an adult using their mouth on the private area or anus of a minor, and the level of punishment that the adult is exposed to will vary depending on the person's criminal record, the specific facts of the subject case, and the age difference between the two parties involved.

There are several defenses and mitigating circumstances that can apply in any given case, depending on the facts of the case and a host of other factors that should be discussed with a sex crime criminal defense attorney who is familiar with these types of crimes and the courthouse where your case is pending.

When I meet with clients and their families, we go over all of the details of the client's case and family background and then map out all of the defense steps that will be taken to come out with a successful resolution. As you might guess, not all cases are the same, and not all people are similar.

The plan must be designed for the particular client and their life circumstances and the most important things.

The crime of oral copulation with a minor can be highly embarrassing and troubling to discuss. Still, a straightforward approach is always the best, and I try and give the client and their family a solid perspective on what they face and the things that can be done to make a difference in the case.

What Are the Defenses for PC 287?

In some cases, a person is charged with this crime and reasonably believes that the other party was an adult. If the facts are such that an average person would have thought that the minor was at least 18, then this fact can act as a complete defense to the crime.

In evaluating whether this defense is viable in your particular case, it is best to sit down with a seasoned criminal defense attorney and go over all the details surrounding your case. Then you can make an educated and informed decision on how the case will be handled.

It is not a defense to oral copulation with a minor to say they consented to whatever act amounts to the crime.

Many defendants in these sex-related offenses indicate that because the minor either agreed to or instigated the sexual contact, they do not believe they should be held responsible for their charges. Minors cannot consent to any sexual touching or intercourse with an adult.

Hence, this would not be considered a defense to this crime, and in fact, these are the cases that we see filed quite often, and the prosecutors do not care if the minor consented or not; they are going to look at the situation and decide what is necessary to protect the public from the subject defendant.

Will You Have to Register as a Sex Offender if Convicted?

If a person is convicted of oral copulation with a minor, they will have to register as a sex offender with the local police department where they live for the rest of their life. This registration requirement must be done on their birthday each year or within five days of their birthday.

When the person first registers with the police, they are given a paper to sign that lays out all of their requirements, and if they violate their registration requirements, they will be charged with a new felony and face prison time.

Are you or someone you know charged with oral copulation of a minor under Penal Code 287 PC? If so, you must contact a sex crime defense attorney to aggressively pursue your case to get you the best results possible.

Our Los Angeles sex crime defense lawyers have 75 years of experience and have handled thousands of sex crime cases, including oral copulation with a minor.

We have unmatched credentials in all of Los Angeles County, and protecting our client's legal rights and freedom is our top priority. Oral copulation with a minor is touching one person's mouth with another person's sexual organ or anus.

Oral copulation with a person under 18 years old is known as a wobbler charge, which means that the prosecution has the discretion to charge it as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity and circumstances of the crime.

Oral copulation with a person under 16 years old carries a punishment of a felony with imprisonment in state prison for up to 3 years. If the victim is under 14 years old or done by force, the crime is a felony punishable by imprisonment in state prison for three, six, or eight years.

What Are the Penalties for Oral Copulation with a Minor?

In this area of the law, the punishments can be very harsh and depend on several different facts. First, the judge and the prosecutor will look at what happens in the particular case that the defendant is charged with.

Depending on the number of contacts and the period that has passed, this will be one of the most significant factors in determining the extent and severity of the punishment imposed. As indicated above, another important factor is the alleged victim's age and the perpetrator's age.

The larger the age gap and the younger the alleged victim, the more serious the case will be viewed and the larger the exposure for the defendant.

The penalties you may face due to a conviction of oral copulation with a minor depend on several circumstances. Our sex crime defense attorneys will explain everything to you in detail and use our skills, knowledge, and legal strategy to get you the best possible results.

What Does the Government Have to Prove?

To convict a person of Oral Copulation with a Minor, the government must prove under CALCRIM 1082:

The person participated in the act of oral copulation with another person; AND
The other person was under the age of 18 when the act was committed

The law defines oral copulation as any contact, no matter how slight, between one person's mouth and the sexual organs of another. For any illicit acts with a minor, consent is not a defense. However, a reasonable belief that the little one was over 18 is a defense.

The government must prove, BEYOND a REASONABLE DOUBT, that the person thought the other party was under 18.

This means you may have a defense if the woman told you that she was over 18, such as being given a fake ID or being said in person. Our sex crime defense lawyers are here to hear your side of the story and do their best to protect your legal rights.