Practice area – Sex Offenses
Accused of a sex offense in Riverside County?
These cases get the maximum aggression from law enforcement and the harshest collateral consequences in California law. The most important moments are before charges are filed. Do not talk to police.
Available 24/7
What you’re facing
Sex offense charges carry penalties that follow you for life. Rape (PC 261) is a felony with 3, 6, or 8 years state prison. Lewd Acts with a Child Under 14 (PC 288) carries 3, 6, or 8 years per count and can stack to decades. Lewd Acts with a 14-15 year old (PC 288(c)) is a wobbler. Sexual Battery (PC 243.4) ranges from misdemeanor to 4 years felony. Most sex offenses are Strike Offenses, and most require PC 290 registration – many for life. Registration affects where you can live, work, travel, and parent.
Defenses I build
Sex offense allegations are emotionally charged but evidentially complex. I dig into the timeline, the alleged victim’s statements (often inconsistent between first report, forensic interview, and trial), forensic evidence and rape kits, prior false allegations, and motive to fabricate (especially in custody disputes). Pretrial intervention with the DA’s office – before charges are filed – is often the most important step. Many sex offense cases are dropped or reduced when the defense engages BEFORE a charging decision.
Sex Offense Case Results
Charged With
Child Molestation – Facing serious felony exposure
Outcome
NOT GUILTY
Sex Offense – Riverside Co.
Common Questions
I have not been charged yet, but police want to talk. What should I do?
Do not talk to police, even to clear your name. Sex offense investigations are designed to gather statements that will be used against you. Call me FIRST. Pre-charge intervention is the single most important difference between a charge and no charge.
What is PC 290 registration?
California’s sex offender registry. Tiered into 3 levels: 10-year, 20-year, and lifetime registration. Determines where you can live, work, and travel, and is publicly searchable for many offenders. Because registration consequences can outweigh the criminal sentence, reducing a charge to a non-registrable offense is often the most valuable outcome.
Can sex offense charges be reduced or dismissed?
Yes. The evidence in these cases is rarely as solid as the initial allegation. Inconsistent statements, lack of corroboration, motive to fabricate, and forensic limitations all create defense opportunities. I have taken child molestation charges to NOT GUILTY.
Types of Sex Offense Charges I Defend
Sex offenses in California encompass a broad range of conduct. Below are the charges I handle most often.
Rape (PC 261)
Sexual intercourse without consent. Felony Strike Offense.
Statutory Rape (PC 261.5)
Sex with someone under 18. Wobbler; felony depends on age gap.
Lewd Acts with Child Under 14 (PC 288)
Felony, 3, 6, or 8 years per count. Strike Offense.
Lewd Acts with Minor 14-15 (PC 288(c))
Wobbler when offender 10+ years older than minor.
Sexual Battery (PC 243.4)
Wobbler. Misdemeanor to 4 years felony.
Indecent Exposure (PC 314)
Misdemeanor first; felony with priors.
Child Pornography (PC 311)
Possession is a wobbler. Production or distribution often federal.
Pimping & Pandering (PC 266h/266i)
Felony Strike Offenses.
Annoying or Molesting a Child (PC 647.6)
Wobbler. Often charged when conduct does not fit PC 288.
Failure to Register (PC 290)
Wobbler. Each act of non-compliance is a separate charge.
PC 290 Registration and Life Consequences
California’s sex offender registry tiers convictions into three categories with different registration periods:
- Tier 1 – 10 years (lower-level offenses)
- Tier 2 – 20 years (most sex offenses with minors)
- Tier 3 – lifetime (rape, child sexual abuse, repeat offenders)
- Registry status restricts where you can live, work, and travel
- Some Tier 1 and Tier 2 offenders can petition for removal after the registration period
Because registry consequences often outweigh the criminal sentence, reducing a charge to a non-registrable offense is frequently the most valuable outcome. On every sex offense case I defend, I am tracking the registration impact in parallel with the criminal exposure.
