Sex Crimes

Any sexual act prohibited by law is considered a sex crime. The range of sex crime offenses is extensive, from minor offenses to very serious and violent acts.  Common sex crimes include rape, statutory rape, indecent exposure, child pornography, sexual assault, date rape, prostitution, and sexual harassment. Because of the crude and offensive nature of sex crimes, they are considered the most taboo of all criminal offenses.

Lewd Conduct

Lewd conduct is defined as any sexual act that is considered indecent or offensive.  Most cases of lewd conduct, also called indecent exposure, involve individuals touching or exposing his/her genitals, or engaging in a sexual activity in a public place such as a park, beach or public restroom.  The inappropriate grabbing or touching of another person’s genitals, breast, or buttocks for sexual arousal is also considered lewd conduct. People are expected to be aware that such sexual acts will be offenses to other people, and therefore should not take place in public.

Lewd conduct may be a misdemeanor or a felony conviction depending on the circumstances.  Like all sex crimes, individuals convicted of lewd conduct may face harsh legal ramifications such as imprisonment, mandatory sex offender registration, loss voting privileges, mandatory STD and AIDS testing, loss of custody or unsupervised time with a minor, probation, monetary fines, sex counseling and rehabilitation.

Rape

When an individual forces another person to engage in sexual activity against his/her will, it is considered Rape. Rape is considered sexual assault and includes vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. Many rapists use violence and drugs to get victims to comply with them.  Statutory rape is considered any unlawful sexual activity with a person less than eighteen years old, the legal age of consent. Date rape occurs when a forced sexual activity occurs at a social event between to people who know each other. In most date rape cases, the victim is often drugged unconscious so the rapist can take advantage of him/her. 

Rape is a very serious sexual offense that the courts and law enforcement do not take lightly. Individuals convicted of rape will face imprisonment, probation, heavy monetary fines, mandatory restitution, mandatory registration as a sex offender, sex counseling and rehabilitation, and mandatory STD and AIDS testing. 

Failure to Register

When an individual is convicted of committing a sex crime, they are required by law to register with the state as a sex offender.  Whether the sexual act is simply risky fun between two consenting adults, or the more serious crime of rape, all individuals convicted of unlawful or inappropriate sexual activity are required to register as a sex offender.  Depending on the severity of the sex crime, some convicted individuals are only required to register as a sex offender for a limited time, where as others must register as a sex offender for life.

The sex offender registration system was put in place by the government to help keep track and monitor the activity of sex offenders.  In California, due to Megan’s Law, when a person registers as a sex offender, their photo and information are posted on a website for any member of the public to see.  While being labeled as a sex offender carries a social stigmatism that can leave difficult personal and professional repercussions,  failure to register as a sex offender can my result in criminal charges, heavy fines, probation, imprisonment, and more severe penalties.

Child Sex Charges

When an adult individual engages is ANY sexual activity, legal or illegal, with a minor, they are committing a child sex crime. In the United States, it is illegal to engage in any sexual activity with a minor (a person under eighteen years of age). In all state and federal jurisdictions, there is an established age limit to which an individual can consent to engaging in sexual activity. If a person is not of legal age, but gives consent anyway, the individual who engaged in sexual activity with that minor can still face legal ramifications. Common child sex crimes include molestation, indecent exposure, internet pornography, lewd conduct, and statutory rape.

Child sex crimes are very serious felony offenses. Law enforcement and the court system do not take child sex crimes lightly and fully investigate and prosecute any individual charged with a child sex crime.  The legal penalties for a child sex crime conviction are severe. If a person is convicted of a child sex crime they face imprisonment, heavy fines, probation, loss of custody, loss of the ability to be near a minor, psychiatric counseling, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Furthermore, because of the negative stereotypes associated with sex offenders, most people convicted of child sex crimes face tarnished personal and professional reputations, and may have a hard time finding employment, education, housing, or maintaining relationships with friends, partners, and family.

Sex crimes are the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in the state of California. If you have been charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles, it is vital to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The legal expertise of a skilled criminal defense attorney can drastically improve your chances in a court of law. A knowledgeable attorney can protect your rights and present you with legal options and extensive resources.

The Law Offices of Richard Sudar have successfully represented numerous clients charged with a sex crime in the Los Angeles area. The Law Offices of Richard Sudar are committed to fighting on behalf of your best interest and legal rights.  If you are in need of an experienced criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, call the Law Offices of Richard Sudar today!

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