Los Angeles Statutory Rape Lawyer

Statutory Rape Attorney in Los Angeles

Statutory rape charges are often complex and difficult to deal with. At times, these may involve sexual activity that a minor consented to or perhaps even initiated. However, according to the law an adult cannot participate in sexual intercourse with a minor, unless they are legally married.

If you are facing statutory rape charges in Los Angeles, you need to consult a defense lawyer as soon as possible. You may face imprisonment, fines and sex offender registration – all for something that you should not be convicted of. Let an attorney at Okabe & Haushalter review your case and determine what can be done to fight these charges.

Statutory Rape Charges

What is statutory rape, exactly? According to California law, statutory rape is defined as sexual intercourse between an adult and a minor. This is a criminal offense even when the sexual activity is entirely consensual, because a minor (person under the age of 18) is deemed unable to give legal consent to sexual intercourse of any kind. There are some exceptions to this, however, so it is important that a defense attorney review your particular case in order to determine if you may be able to avoid statutory rape charges altogether.

The penalties for a statutory rape conviction will vary primarily depending upon the age of the defendant and the alleged victim. Lesser charges and penalties will apply if the alleged offender and victim are close in age (usually by 3 years or less). Increased penalties will be imposed if the alleged victim is below 16 years of age and the defendant is 21 years or older.

Contact a Los Angeles Defense Lawyer!

By reviewing your particular charges and discussing your options and concerns with you, a Los Angeles sex crime defense lawyer at our firm can begin providing you with the dedicated representation that you need in order to effectively fight these serious criminal charges. We recommend that you contact an attorney at our firm as soon as possible for a free consultation and to find out how we can help.

If you or someone you know has been accused of statutory rape, contact a Los Angeles statutory rape defense attorney to discuss your charges with a skilled criminal defense professional.