Los Angeles Sexual Assault & Rape Defense Attorneys
Have you been accused of sexual assault or rape? If so, you will need to consult a criminal defense attorney immediately. Even if you have not been formally charged, an attorney will be essential in working to ensure no charges are filed and that you get the best outcome in your case.
Any unwanted sexual contact which is forced upon a victim is considered sexual assault. This includes a victim who says no or who is incapacitated physically or mentally and is therefore unable to say no. It is important to note, at this point, that California law tends to work in favor of the alleged victim in many rape and sexual assault cases. In fact, a victim does not need to actually say “no” in order for consent to be denied and for sexual intercourse or a sex act to qualify as rape. For this reason, a sexual assault or rape case can become complex and proving guilt can become confusing and subjective – open to interpretation, to a degree.
Your criminal defense attorney will need to be extremely experienced and skilled in defending sex crime charges if you will have any chance of avoiding a conviction for sexual assault or rape. At Okabe & Haushalter, we have the experience and the ability to be effective in court – even in the face of these accusations and charges. Some defenses we may be able to utilize include:
- Consent was actually given
False accusation
Lack of physical evidence
Mistaken identity
No witnesses or unreliable witnesses
Motive of the victim to make a false accusation
The victim’s past behavior
Types of Sexual Assault and Rape Charges in California
Sexual assault includes groping, molestation, attempted rape, touching, assault and battery and rape. Rape may be further classified as statutory rape, spousal rape or date rape, depending upon the circumstances. No matter the specific charges you face, any sex crime charge is serious and will carry heavy penalties under California law. Your lawyer will need to fight to protect your rights and to help you avoid these penalties, which for a standard rape charge may include:
- 3, 6 or 8 years in state prison
- Lifetime sex offender registration
- Probation
- Fines
- Counseling
- Felony conviction on your criminal record
At Okabe & Haushalter, we help clients accused of or arrested for sexual assault or rape throughout Los Angeles, including Torrance, El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Santa Monica, Long Beach and Lomita.
Accused of sexual assault in California? Contact a Los Angeles rape defense attorney at Okabe & Haushalter today!
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