You need a sex crimes lawyer in Commerce, CA. Maybe it was a rough breakup that led to a false accusation. Maybe it was a misunderstanding that's being blown out of proportion. Or maybe you made a mistake and are looking for a way forward.
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 Commerce, CA. We handle everything from investigation to trial.
We will fight for you. Call (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to speak with a sex crimes lawyer in Commerce, CA, about your charges.
President David S. Chesley, Commerce, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why Commerce, CA, Sex Crime Cases Are Different
You need an expert Commerce, CA, sex crimes lawyer to help you fight your case and avoid:
- A potentially lengthy prison sentence
- Registration as a sex offender
- Public labelling as a sex offender
- The potential loss of child custody
- A federal firearms ban and, in some cases, passport restrictions
Don't try to face these consequences alone. The right Commerce, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you minimize or even avoid them.
Arrested for a Sex Crime in Commerce, CA? Take These Steps Now
- Do not contact the accuser — for any reason whatsoever. Doing so often just looks like intimidating the alleged victim.
- Do not talk to police, detectives, or campus investigators. Plead the Fifth Amendment and politely ask to speak with your lawyer.
- Don't give permission to search your property if there isn't a warrant for it and without counsel.
- Protect evidence that you have access to. Don't delete anything, as this can be twisted as hiding evidence.
- Tell your Commerce, CA, sex crimes defense attorney everything: The more your attorney knows, the better defense they can build.
- If given bail conditions, take every effort to adhere to them — if you don't, it can make you look guilty in the eyes of the jury.
- Talk to a professional for help handling the stress — handling criminal charges is stressful, and it's normal to need some professional help.
On your own, it can be hard to stay on top of everything. But with a leading Commerce, CA, sex crimes lawyer, you have an advantage inside and outside of court.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Defends All of the Below Sex Crime Charges in Commerce, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape and sexual assault are probably the worst types of sex crimes to be charged with in Commerce, CA. Rape, in particular, is treated extremely harshly for allegedly using force to coerce someone into sexual intercourse. Sexual assault, meanwhile, is a catch-all term for several violent sex crimes (often including rape and sexual battery).
Spousal rape under former PC § 262 was repealed in 2021. As of January 1, 2026, SB 258 also removed the remaining spouse-capacity carve-out in PC § 261. Rape inside a marriage is charged like rape between any other two people.
Child Sex Crimes
In California, child molestation is not covered by a single law, but is a category for acts such as lewd acts with a child and the sexual abuse of a child. 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
In California court, statutory rape is often referred to as "unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor." These allegations state that a person had sex with someone under the age of 18. This technically makes it illegal for two minors to have sex with each other, but most of the time, these allegations are used in cases where an adult supposedly had sex with a minor. Common defenses include demonstrating an honest belief that the adult believed the minor was over the age of 18 or that sexual intercourse did not occur (though the latter defense can still result in other child sex crime charges). Talk with your Commerce, CA, child sex crimes lawyer before taking a plea or establishing a defense.
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.
AI and Deepfake Pornography
As AI continues to advance at a fast rate, California lawmakers are creating regulations on its use. This is related to sex crimes, specifically for generative pornographic content. Recent laws have established that AI-generated child pornography can be prosecuted as if it were an image of an actual child. Deepfake pornography is also addressed in other California criminal laws. As these laws continue to develop, it's important to work with a sex crimes lawyer in Commerce, CA, who is familiar with the most recent laws and updated regulations.
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 Commerce, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you find a positive outcome.
Related Charges
In Commerce, 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.
Accused of a Below Sex Crime? Call Us Today
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 We Defend the Case
Pre-filing and investigation. The best way to beat a criminal charge is to avoid having it filed in the first place. You don't have to wait until you're under arrest to get an attorney — our sex crime defense attorneys can help you the moment police contact you. We will guide you through interviews, negotiate with authorities, and set the ground for a strong legal defense, should it become necessary.
Discovery and forensics. Anything that the police and prosecution find, they have to turn over to us in discovery. Our team will then comb through the evidence, looking for holes in the prosecution's case and opportunities to create reasonable doubt.
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. The registration tier often matters more than a few months of custody. Reducing a Tier 3 offense to a non-registerable or Tier 1/2 charge can be the entire case.
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 Commerce, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Experience with your case type
- Relationships in Commerce, CA, courts
- Honest assessment of registration risk, not just "jail vs. no jail"
- Easy to contact and get updates on your case
- A record of results in Commerce, CA, courts — not just a list of charges
Commerce, 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. But a conviction won't just lead to incarceration; it can also put you on the sex offender registry.
California's Three-Tier Sex Offender Registry System
Not every sex crime in California requires a person to register as a sex offender (prostitution, for example, normally does not). When it is required, though, it typically falls into one of the below three categories:
- Tier 1 — normally a 10-year period on the registry. 5 years in some juvenile cases. Examples: misdemeanor sex crimes are often Tier 1, notably sexual battery and some child pornography possession.
- Tier 2 — 20 years for adults, but 10 years for some juveniles. Examples: many serious/violent registerable felonies that are not automatic lifetime.
- Tier 3 — lifetime for the most serious offenses (e.g., most rape offenses, aiding a rape attempt, pimping a minor) 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.
Effective Defenses Versus Sex Crime Charges in Commerce, CA
- 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 False accusations — some people use false sexual assault or rape allegations as a way to hurt another person or gain leverage in a custody battle
- Identity / alibi
- Lack of evidence — when the prosecution fails to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, your attorney can use that to sway the jury
- Illegally acquired evidence
- Weak evidence that can be dismantled through examination
- Entrapment or lack of intent in sting cases
- Charges were filed outside of the statute of limitations
Picking the right defense strategy is important, but it's not everything. You also need a persuasive Commerce, CA, sex crimes lawyer to present it.
Past 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. When our client was accused of statutory rape, we leveraged our defense to negotiate a probation sentence which, if completed, will allow for the dismissal of all charges, no prison time, and keep our client off of the California sex offender registry.
- Rape (PC § 261) — Facing 25 Years to Life, All Charges Dismissed Before Trial. Our client came to us after being accused of rape. They were present at an event where two other individuals (charged separately) had assaulted a woman, but our client took no part in it. We presented our defense in the preliminary hearing and the case was dismissed. No public record of the case remains.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — Facing 6 Years State Prison, No Jail Time, No Sex Offender Registration. By evaluating the evidence and presenting a narrative of consent, we protected our client from an extended jail sentence and secured a favorable outcome, with no strike and no sex offender registration.
- Child Molestation (PC § 288) and Sodomy with a Child Under 10 (PC § 288.7) — Protected Client Against Lifetime Imprisonment and Sex Offender Registration. Our client was being held without bail and could have been sent to prison for life, if convicted. We demonstrated that the allegations had been fabricated, and the court dismissed all charges at the preliminary hearing. Our client's reputation is also protected, as there are no public records of this case.
These results are representative of past performance, but do not guarantee future results. Your Commerce, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you figure out the best approach to your case, and help you understand realistic outcomes.
Common Questions for Sex Accusations in Commerce, CA
Can a sex crimes lawyer still help if the accusations aren't true?
Yes — unfortunately, the police can make mistakes in their investigations and end up charging the wrong person. Your freedom and rights deserve professional protection.
Will a sex crime in Commerce, CA, affect immigration status?
Convictions of sex crimes can be harmful to your immigration status, and potentially lead to deportation. Talk to a sex crimes defense lawyer who can also act as your immigration attorney and help you protect your status.
Is there a way off the sex offender registry in California?
Whether or not you can get off California's sex offender registry depends on what tier you were applied to it on. Tier 3 offenses generally do not allow the possibility for removal, while lower tiers do.
Will I be put on the sex offender registry if I'm convicted of statutory rape?
For many PC § 261.5(c) and (d) offenses committed on or after January 1, 2026, yes — Tier 1 — unless the 10-year age-gap exception applies. The court may still order PC § 290.006 registration. Get the dates and ages reviewed before you plead.
Does California require sex offenders to inform their neighbors?
No — sex offenders themselves are not required to inform their neighbors, just register with local law enforcement. Law enforcement may decide to make a public announcement, though.
Accused of a Sex Crime? Call Now
We won't sugarcoat it: These charges are a big deal, and you need someone who knows how to fight for your rights.
Protect your freedom today — call us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to talk with your Commerce, CA, sex crimes lawyer.
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