The California sex crime of “oral copulation by force or fear” is defined in California Penal Code 288a. This crime is charged more than people might think in Los Angeles County.

People force other people to copulate them orally, and then the prosecutors come in and charge this particular crime against the perpetrator. They end up trying to send the perpetrator to prison.

If you force someone to copulate you orally, this crime is usually just about as serious as a rape charge.  Anytime there's the force used, you've got a victim who's injured in any way, then you can bet the prosecutors will be seeking a prison sentence.

Defense Argument of Consensual Sex

The only way to get a probation sentence is to show the prosecutors and the judge that there are some unusual circumstances attached to the oral copulation.

For example, maybe there's an argument that it was consensual and not forced, but the person is under 18.  On the one hand, it would be good because the victim was not forced to do anything, but on the other hand, the prosecutors will consider that the victim is under the age of 18.

Another thing that's helpful in these cases to get a better result in oral copulation is if the two parties involved are close in age and it's consensual.

For example, for 17 and 18-year-olds, that 18-year-old technically can be charged with oral copulation with a minor. However, it's not as bad as a situation where the victim is 17 and the perpetrator is more than ten years older.

Then, an extra enhancement can be charged against the particular perpetrator.

State Prison Time and Sex Offender Registration

So, if you or a loved one is charged with forced oral copulation, you will need an excellent attorney to try to defend them. Either a complete defense where we're arguing that either you're not the person that committed the oral copulation crime.

Also, in a situation where we're indicating that it wasn't forced, and maybe the alleged victim was intoxicated and can't exactly remember what happened, and assumes that there was force there.

It depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding the case when it comes to these severe sex crimes because if you get convicted of forced oral copulation, in addition to likely being sent to prison for some time, the defendant is going to have to register as a sex offender typically for the rest of their life.

That means under Penal Code 290 PC, every time their birthday comes around within five days of that birthday, they have to let the police know where they're living, go to the police station and let them know, and a lot of times, the police have a lot of questions, make them fill out a form.

Prohibited From Owing a Computer or Internet Access

So, these forced oral copulation charges come with a bunch of consequences.  In addition to the registration and the likely prison, there are other punishments the judge can impose depending on what the circumstances were.

For example, let's say that the alleged victim in the case was found on the internet and then was lured into a specific location, and they were forced to copulate the defendant orally.

Then the judge will likely order that the defendant is not allowed to own, use or possess a computer and can't go on the internet anymore because the argument is going to be that that's how they're accessing their victims as it relates to oral copulation charges.

So, if you or a loved one needs help, pick up the phone.  Call the Hedding Law Firm at (213) 542-0979.  Ask to speak to Ron Hedding.  I've been doing this for over 26 years, handled thousands of cases.  I stand at the ready to help you.