California Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

Over 20 Years Defending Sex Crime Charges in Rocklin & Placer County

A sex crime arrest puts everything at risk: your reputation, your job, your family, and your freedom. If convicted, you could face years in prison, substantial fines, and placement on the sex offender registry for a decade or more. Don’t wait to act. Contact an experienced sex crimes attorney in Rocklin right away, and let us fight aggressively to protect your future.

What You Need to Know About the California Sex Offender Registry

California’s SB 384, which took effect January 1, 2021, replaced the prior lifetime-registration requirement with a three-tier system under Penal Code 290. Tier 1 carries a minimum 10-year registration period, Tier 2 carries a minimum 20-year period, and Tier 3 carries lifetime registration and is reserved for the most serious offenses and habitual offenders. Tier 1 and Tier 2 registrants may petition the Placer County Superior Court for removal from the registry after completing the minimum registration period under Penal Code 290.5. Some Tier 3 registrants designated solely by risk assessment score may also petition after 20 years.

The sex offender registry is public information, accessible through California’s Megan’s Law website. When your name is on the list, identifying information becomes available to the public, including your name, age, height, weight, the offense of conviction, tattoos and scars, and your address and photo. Registration also requires annual reporting to local law enforcement within five days of your birthday and re-registration within five days of any change of address.

Charges that can trigger sex offender registration under Penal Code 290 include:

• Sexual conduct with a minor
• Sexual assault or battery
• Rape
• Indecent exposure
• Child pornography
• Statutory or date rape
• Chat room misconduct
• Prostitution
• Solicitation of a minor

Sexual Battery Charges Under California Penal Code 243.4

California Penal Code 243.4 defines sexual battery as the nonconsensual touching of another person’s intimate parts for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse. Depending on the circumstances, the charge may be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony. Felony charges typically apply when the alleged victim was unlawfully restrained, institutionalized, or medically incapacitated.

• Misdemeanor Sexual Battery: A conviction can carry up to 6 months in jail and fines ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.
• Felony Sexual Battery: A conviction can carry a prison sentence of 1 to 4 years and fines up to $10,000.

Rape Charges Under California Penal Code 261 & 264

Rape charges carry some of the most severe penalties in California criminal law. Under Penal Code 264, a conviction may result in a prison sentence of 3, 6, or 8 years, with longer terms possible depending on the circumstances and the age of the alleged victim. When the charges involve rape of a minor, fines between $2,000 and $25,000 may also apply. The specific penalties in any case depend heavily on the facts involved.