SEX CRIMES

At the Law Office of Mark R. McDonald we have a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with ALL types of sex crimes in California. Some examples of crimes that are considered criminal sexual behavior in California are:

• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Battery
• Sexual Abuse
• Aggravated Sexual Assault
• Rape
• Statutory Rape
• Date Rape
• Criminal Sexual Contact
• Forced or Unlawful Copulation
• Unlawful Sodomy
• Unlawful Penetration
• Sex Crimes Upon a Dependant Adult
• Unlawful Possession of Pornography
• Solicitation
• Prostitution
• Pimping
• Pandering
• Indecent Exposure
• Lewd Acts

There are many types of sexual assault or sexual abuse, including many of the terms listed above. Sexual assault, in most states, includes any type of unwanted physical contact with any sexual organ. Most sexual abuse and/or sexual assault crimes are felonies in California. In some states the laws include provisions against aggressive sexually suggestive statements, where no physical contact occurs. Physical contact is "unwanted" if the victim did not legally consent to such contact. Examples of non-consent are, saying “no”, physically objecting, being intoxicated or incapacitated to the point of not being able to give consent. Sexual contact with an intoxicated person can be considered sexual assault, "date-rape" or statutory rape.

• Statutory rape is defined as sexual intercourse with a female below the legal age of consent but above the age of a child. In most states the age of consent is 18 and you are no longer considered a child when you reach the age of 14. Even if the person under the age of consent has knowingly, willingly, and with mutual consent, participated in sexual intercourse with an adult, and refuses to cooperate with the state, charges can still be filed against the adult perpetrating the act. There are additional laws and penalties imposed when a person of authority such as a teacher, priest, or member of the community held in high esteem engages in sexual relations with a person (male or female) under the age of majority.
• Date Rape is forcible sexual intercourse by a male acquaintance of a woman, during a voluntary social engagement in which the woman did not intend to submit to the sexual advances and resisted. The fact that the engagement was voluntary and the parties were acquainted is not a defense to this type of charge.
• Prostitution, solicitation, pandering or pimping are either considered felonies or misdemeanors in the State of California. Prostitution is defined as any person who receives payment for sexual intercourse or any other sexual acts. Pimping is defined as any person soliciting acts of prostitution or pandering on behalf of another.
• Lewd acts, lascivious conduct and indecent exposure are usually charged as misdemeanor crimes in the State of California. These crimes involve public sexual acts or the exposing of the genitals in a public place.
• All of the above crimes, either felony or misdemeanor, are very serious charges and can carry life changing consequences. If you or someone you know has been arrested, or is being investigated for a crime, you need advice from an experienced California criminal defense lawyer. Protect your rights and your freedom….

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