Some court cases, like traffic tickets, generally don't have major long-term impacts. You can contest it or pay the fine, then move on. Not so with sex crime cases. For those, you could be facing years in prison, massive fines, and sex offender registration. You need a sex crimes lawyer in Bakersfield, CA to help you handle these charges.
You need The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our criminal defense attorneys have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience and know how to defend against sex crimes in Bakersfield, CA. When you call us, you're getting a team that's ready to help, whatever you need.
We give you someone you can count on. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a confidential, free case review.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Bakersfield, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously in Bakersfield, CA
A sex crime charge is not a typical misdemeanor or even a typical felony. A conviction can mean:
- Incarceration
- Registration as a sex offender
- Public Megan's Law listing in many cases
- Many collateral consequences
- Extensive fines and restitution requirements
It's never a good idea to try and handle these charges on your own. Without help, you might be digging a hole you can't get out of. A sex crimes lawyer can change that.
Arrested for a Sex Crime in Bakersfield, CA? Take These Steps Now
- Don't reach out to the alleged victim — for any reason whatsoever. That can be charged as witness intimidation or violating a protective order.
- Don't speak without an attorney present. Respectfully request to speak with your attorney.
- Don't share your phone or let investigators access your property without a warrant and without counsel.
- Preserve everything. Don't delete texts, photos, apps, location history, or social media — deletion is often argued as consciousness of guilt.
- Share everything you know with your defense attorney: dates, locations, witnesses, alcohol, prior relationship, and who else had a motive.
- Obey all conditions of release — failing to do so can send you to jail.
- Get support outside the case — counseling can help give you clarity on how to move forward.
Above all of the above, the main thing you need to do is get help from an expert Bakersfield, CA, sex crimes defense lawyer right away. They can help guide you through the rest..
Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Bakersfield, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
It's hard to think of a crime that is publicly regarded as worse than rape in Bakersfield, CA. A conviction means up to 8 years in prison, as well as sex offender registration. "Sexual assault" is not one statute — it often means rape, sexual battery (PC § 243.4), nonconsensual oral copulation (PC § 287), sodomy (PC § 286), or penetration with a foreign object (PC § 289).
In the past, a rape accusation between spouses had different consequences that were considered more lenient. Today, though, this no longer applies, and alleged rapes between spouses are treated the same as any other.
Child Sex Crimes
Child sex crimes are some of the most harshly viewed accusations in Bakersfield, CA, making it essential to work with an experienced sex crimes lawyer to fight them. Even in cases where there wasn't a physical, sexual act involving a child, you can face charges for enticing a minor for lewd purposes.
Statutory Rape
Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor is a misdemeanor or a wobbler depending on ages. Important 2026 change: for offenses on or after January 1, 2026, SB 680 added certain PC § 261.5(c) and (d) convictions to PC § 290. Those cases can require Tier 1 (10-year) registration, unless the defendant was not more than 10 years older than the minor and that is the only registerable conviction. Courts can still order registration under PC § 290.006. Offenses before January 1, 2026 are not brought onto the registry by SB 680. This should be analyzed before any plea.
Internet and Digital Sex Crimes
These include child sexual abuse material (PC §§ 311–311.11), sending harmful matter to a minor (PC § 288.2), sexting involving a minor, and sting cases built on chats with an officer posing as a minor. Adult "revenge porn" is a separate offense under PC § 647(j)(4) and related statutes. Digital forensics — who had the device, hash values, unallocated space, account takeover, and intent — often decide the case.
Prostitution and Related Offenses
Prostitution is illegal in much of the United States ostensibly for moral reasons. In California, prostitution-related crimes include the act of prostitution itself, soliciting a prostitute, and pimping/pandering (AKA helping someone else break a prostitution law for a profit). What this ultimately means is that involvement with prostitution can lead to criminal charges from any angle, even if it was a sting operation. Don't take these charges lightly — your Bakersfield, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you find a positive outcome.
Related Charges
In Bakersfield, CA, we also defend indecent exposure (PC § 314), lewd conduct in public (PC § 647(a)), failure to register (PC § 290.018), human trafficking (PC § 236.1), incest (PC § 285), aggravated sexual assault of a child (PC § 269), and assault with intent to commit a sex offense (PC § 220). Those pages are linked from the list below.
Charges We Handle
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child · AI-Generated / Deepfake Sexual Content · Annoying or Molesting a Child · Arranging a Meeting With a Minor · Assault with Intent to Commit a Sex Offense · Child Molestation (PC 288) · Child Pornography · Enticing a Minor · Failure to Register · Human Trafficking (Sex Trafficking) · Incest · Indecent Exposure · Lewd Acts · Lewd Conduct in Public · Loitering to Commit Prostitution · Oral Copulation by Force · Oral Copulation or Sodomy With a Minor · Penetration by Force · Pimping and Pandering · Prostitution / Solicitation · Rape · Revenge Porn · Sex With a Minor / Statutory Rape · Sexting Involving Minors · Sexual Abuse · Sexual Assault · Sexual Battery · Sodomy by Force
How Your Bakersfield, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
Pre-filing and investigation. Your defense doesn't begin when charges are filed — you should call a sex crimes lawyer in Bakersfield, CA, if you even think you are under investigation. We can help you set up your future case for a positive outcome, or avoid court entirely.
Discovery and forensics. We don't just let the district attorney build a case against you — we reexamine any evidence and look for inconsistencies or other weaknesses. We can also reach out to expert witnesses and forensic labs to review everything and look for alternatives to the state's narrative.
Motions. Suppression. Motions can do many things for your case. One of the first motions we often file is a motion for bail reduction. This can help you secure pretrial release. After that, we'll frequently follow with a motion to suppress evidence and/or a motion to dismiss charges.
Negotiation. Many criminal charges in Bakersfield, CA, end in plea deals. With relationships in courts across California, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are ready to negotiate on your behalf.
Trial and sentencing. Some lawyers won't want to take cases to trial. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're prepared to present your defense in front of a judge and jury.
Looking for a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Direct experience with your statute (PC 261 is not the same case as PC 288.4)
- Willingness to do pre-charge work, not only arraignment-to-plea
- Honesty and transparency when discussing your case
- 24/7 availability
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Bakersfield, CA, Sex Crime Penalties
| Charge | Statute | Level | Typical Custody Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | PC § 261 | Felony | 3, 6, or 8 years state prison; fine up to $10,000 |
| Statutory Rape | PC § 261.5 | Misd. or wobbler | Up to 1 year jail, or 16 months–4 years (facts-dependent) |
| Sexual Battery | PC § 243.4 | Misd. or felony | Up to 6 months jail, or 2, 3, or 4 years prison |
| Lewd Act With a Child Under 14 | PC § 288(a) | Felony | 3, 6, or 8 years (higher if force or younger child) |
| Arranging a Meeting With a Minor | PC § 288.4 | Wobbler | Up to 1 year jail, or 2, 3, or 4 years prison |
| Indecent Exposure | PC § 314 | Misd. or felony | Up to 1 year, or 16 months–3 years |
| Child Pornography Possession | PC § 311.11 | Wobbler / felony | Jail, or 16 months–3+ years; registration often Tier 3 if felony |
| Prostitution / Solicitation | PC § 647(b) | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months jail; fine up to $1,000 |
While the majority of sex crime cases may follow these guidelines, sentencing enhancements can greatly alter the end punishment. Your case needs to be evaluated for its unique qualities. However, a jail sentence is often over long before the other main consequences of a sex crime conviction: Being placed on the sex offender registry.
California's Three-Tier Sex Offender Registry System
California uses a three-tier system (SB 384, in effect since 2021):
- Tier 1 — generally 10 years (5 years in some juvenile cases). Examples: misdemeanor sex crimes are often Tier 1, notably sexual battery and some child pornography possession.
- Tier 2 — generally 20 years. Examples: repeated annoying of a child, some sodomy cases, and some rape cases.
- Tier 3 — lifetime for the most serious offenses (e.g., forcible rape, kidnapping in conjunction with a sex crime, aggravated sexual assault of a child) and certain repeat or high-risk designations.
On top of the lengthy time periods of registration, failure to register is an offense in and of itself. While on the registry, you can be facing challenges finding a house or job, restrictions on where you are able to travel, and a devastating social stigma. Your sex crimes lawyer can help you petition for removal once you're eligible for relief.
Defense Strategies Against Bakersfield, CA, Sex Crimes Charges
- Consent applies in several sex crime charges, since many are only illegal if a party did not consent
- Reasonable, good-faith mistake as to the accuser's age (the "Hernandez defense," CALCRIM No. 1071) — available for statutory rape under PC § 261.5, but not available for lewd acts with a child under 14 (PC § 288) or for human trafficking (PC § 236.1), where a defendant's belief about age is not a defense as a matter of law
- False or motivated accusation (custody, immigration, breakup, school discipline)
- Alibi — one of the strongest defenses against a sex crime accusation is to prove you were elsewhere at the time
- Lack of evidence (intent, force, "lewd purpose," knowledge of age, possession vs. unsolicited file)
- Illegally acquired evidence
- Unreliable child forensic interviews
- Entrapment or lack of intent in sting cases
- Statute of limitations or charging defects
When you have the right defense strategy and the right defense attorney on your side, you're maximizing your chances of a positive outcome.
Former Sex Offense Case Results
- Soliciting a Prostitute (PC § 647(b)) and Loitering with Intent to Commit Prostitution (PC § 653.22) — All Charges Dismissed. This client was accused of soliciting a prostitute who was a police agent working undercover. We evaluated potential entrapment issues and enrolled our client in a diversionary, educational program. The court dismissed the charges, and no lingering public records are available..
- Statutory Rape (PC § 261.5) — No Jail Time, No Sex Offender Registration, Dismissed Upon Completion of Probation. The client faced years in state prison and lifetime sex offender registration. We negotiated a reduced-charge resolution that carried no custody time and no registration requirement, with dismissal available after successful completion of probation.
- Rape (PC § 261) — Felony Accusation, All Charges Dismissed Before Trial. The client was present at a gathering where two other individuals were separately accused of assaulting a woman; the client had no involvement in the alleged conduct. We demonstrated the client's lack of involvement, and the court dismissed all charges at the preliminary hearing. Our client's privacy is protected, as there is no public record of the case available.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — Successful Consent Based Defense Protect Our Client From Prison. Using a consent-based defense, we protected our client from an extended jail sentence and secured a favorable outcome, avoiding a felony strike and sex offender registration.
- Child Molestation (PC § 288) and Sodomy with a Child Under 10 (PC § 288.7) — Defense Secured Dismissal of Charges, Avoiding Prison and Sex Offender Registration. The client faced three potential life terms with no bail. We looked into the evidence, and found that the claims were false. At the preliminary hearing, the judge believed our story and dismissed the charges. As an added bonus, our client's privacy is protected as any remaining records are not available to the public.
These results are representative of past performance, but do not guarantee future results. Your Bakersfield, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you figure out the best approach to your case, and help you understand realistic outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sex Crime Charges in Bakersfield, CA
Is it still important to hire an attorney if you're innocent?
Yes — unfortunately, the police can make mistakes in their investigations and end up charging the wrong person. Your freedom and rights deserve professional protection.
Is there a risk of deportation if I'm convicted?
It depends on the specific crime, but several sex crime convictions can be used as the basis for deportation.
Does statutory rape require registration now?
Generally speaking, alleged statutory rape offenses that occured on or after January 1, 2026, require Tier 1 registration is required (with some nuance regarding age gap). If the alleged offense occurred prior to this, there is more discretion left up to the court.
If I'm on the California sex offender registry, do I have to tell my neighbors?
While sex offenders are not required to personally inform new neighbors after moving into a location, their registration is public knowledge and can be looked up online.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Is Ready to Defend Your Sex Crimes Case
Working with the right attorney can protect your freedom and defend you against the related social stigma. And you need to get started right away.
We are here to help — call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
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