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 Hemet, CA to help you handle these charges.
For Hemet, CA, residents in need of defense against sex crime accusations, there's a clear choice of who to turn to: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our attorneys fight for our client's rights. We handle everything from investigation to trial.
We will fight for you. Call (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to speak with a sex crimes lawyer in Hemet, CA, about your charges.
President David S. Chesley, Hemet, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously in Hemet, CA
Sex crime charges are serious. They go beyond the typical consequences of a conviction:
- Incarceration
- Years (or even a lifetime) on the sex offender registry
- Public labelling as a sex offender
- Employment, licensing, housing, custody, and immigration consequences
- A federal firearms ban and, in some cases, passport restrictions
Don't wait while the Hemet, CA, district attorney builds a case against you. Call your Hemet, CA, sex crimes lawyer and start building your defense now.
What to Do if You Have Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Hemet, CA
- Don't talk to the person accusing you — even to apologize or "explain." This can hurt your case in the long run.
- Do not talk to police, detectives, or campus investigators. Be respectful, but don't answer any questions. Instead, request to speak with your attorney.
- Do not consent to a phone or home search if there isn't a warrant for it and if you haven't had a chance to check with your Hemet, CA sex charges attorney.
- Preserve everything. Trying to delete or hide evidence can end up making you look more guilty.
- Write a private timeline for your lawyer only: The more your attorney knows, the better defense they can build.
- Obey all conditions of release (stay-away orders, no-contact, travel, devices).
- Get counselling/mental health support — look for local mental health resources to help cope with the stress of your case.
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On your own, it can be a lot to handle. But with a leading Hemet, 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 Hemet, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape is arguably the most serious sex crime charge you can face in Hemet, CA. A conviction can send you to prison for years, and permanently put you on the sex offender registry. "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, California has separate laws for rape between spouses versus general rape. However, this was repealed and does not apply today.
Child Sex Crimes
There are a wide range of potential child sex crime accusations in California, including lewd acts with a child, sexual abuse, and possession of child pornography. California does not have a Romeo and Juliet law, so it's illegal for an adult to have sex with a minor even if they are close in age.
Statutory Rape
Not every statutory rape charge is the same, but all of them are serious. If the alleged victim was within 3 years of the alleged offender's age, it is a misdemeanor. Anything beyond that, and the prosecution has discretion to charge the crime as a felony. Additionally, there can be enhanced penalties if the alleged offender is over the age of 21 and the alleged victim is under the age of 16.
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-Generated and Deepfake Sexual Content
California law is rapidly evolving to regulate AI-generated sexual content. Effective January 1, 2025, AB 1831 and SB 1381 expanded Penal Code §§ 311, 311.2, 311.11, and 311.12 to criminalize the creation, distribution, and possession of AI-generated or digitally altered child sexual abuse material — now, you can face the same penalties for AI-generated child porn as with actual child porn. Separately, SB 926 extended California's revenge-porn law (PC § 647(j)(4)) to cover non-consensual, AI-generated sexually explicit images of adults that appear authentic. These are new, fast-evolving statutes, and the digital evidence in these cases — how an image was generated, by whom, and what platform it moved through — is often the center of the defense.
Human Trafficking
Sex trafficking is charged under Penal Code § 236.1(b) and (c) and carries some of the most severe penalties available in Hemet, CA, court. Subdivision (b) covers depriving someone of their liberty to commit pimping, pandering, or child pornography offenses, punishable by up to 20 years in state prison. Subdivision (c) covers persuading or attempting to persuade a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, and can carry 15 years to life when force, fear, fraud, or coercion is used. A conviction requires lifetime Tier 3 sex offender registration. These cases frequently overlap with pimping and pandering allegations and often turn on financial records, communications, and the alleged victim's own statements.
Related Charges
In Hemet, CA, we also defend indecent exposure (PC § 314), lewd conduct in public (PC § 647(a)), failure to register (PC § 290.018), prostitution and solicitation (PC § 647(b)), loitering with intent to commit prostitution (PC § 653.22), pimping/pandering (PC §§ 266h, 266i), 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.
Get Legal Support From a Hemet, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer With All of the Below Charges
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
Will Help You Fight the Charges
Pre-filing and investigation. Your defense doesn't begin when charges are filed — you should call a sex crimes lawyer in Hemet, 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. A sex crime charge defense isn't just about avoiding incarceration; it's about staying off of the sex offender registry. A plea deal can be a compromise that protects your reputation.
Trial and sentencing. Not every plea deal offered is acceptable. If we can't find an option that works for you, we're prepared to fight in court for your freedom. Even if the outcome at trial isn't what you were hoping for, we'll advocate for lenient sentencing.
What to Look for in Your Hemet, CA Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Direct experience with your statute (PC 261 is not the same case as PC 288.4)
- Dedication to Connections with prosecutors and judges in Hemet
- Ideas for how to approach defense in your case
- Availability and a single point of contact
- A record of results in Hemet, CA, courts — not just a list of charges
Hemet, 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 |
Enhancements (great bodily injury, weapon use, multiple victims, age of the complaining witness, prior strikes) change these numbers. Every case is individual. But a conviction won't just lead to incarceration; it can also put you on the sex offender registry.
Sex Offender Registry Tiers in California
California maintains a public sex offender registry. The length of time a person is required to be on the registry depends on the specific offense:
- Tier 1 — typically for a 10-year term, or 5 years for most juvenile cases. Examples: most misdemeanor sex offenses fall into this tier, and some non-violent felony offenses.
- Tier 2 — 20 years for adults, but 10 years for some juveniles. Examples: lewd acts with a minor under 14 and some sodomy cases.
- 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.
Rather than automatically being removed after a time period, it's on the individual to request removal after their time is up. Your sex crimes attorney can help you petition for removal from the sex offender registery.
Defense Strategies Against Hemet, CA, Sex Crimes Charges
- Consent applies in several sex crime charges, since many are only illegal if a party did not consent
- False or motivated accusation False accusations — unfortunately, some people will make up criminal accusations in order to get something they want
- Identity / alibi
- Insufficient proof of a required element — when the prosecution fails to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, your attorney can use that to sway the jury
- Violation of your rights
- Unreliable child forensic interviews
- Entrapment when the supposed offender did not have a predisposition towards the crime, and the government coerced them into it
- Statute of limitations or charging defects
Your Hemet, CA, sex crimes attorney can help you pick out the right defense strategy for your case. And if it goes to trial, they are prepared to argue it in front of a jury.
Recent Sex Offense Case Results
- Soliciting a Prostitute (PC § 647(b)) and Loitering with Intent to Commit Prostitution (PC § 653.22) — All Charges Dismissed. Our client was accused of soliciting a prostitute who was actually a police officer. We negotiated a diversionary program and the dismissal of all charges.
- Statutory Rape (PC § 261.5) — Protected Client From Jail, Sex Offender Registry, and Record. 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 at Preliminary Hearing. 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. This also protected our client's reputation, as no records of the case are public.
- 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 negotiated a resolution giving the client credit for time served, avoiding a felony strike and sex offender registration.
- Child Molestation (PC § 288) and Sodomy with a Child Under 10 (PC § 288.7) — Charges Dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing. 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.
While past cases can help inform you on a firm's abilities, they do not necessarily represent results for a future case. Every case in Hemet, CA, is evaluated on its own facts, and results depend on the specific evidence and circumstances involved.
Common Questions for Sex Crime Charges in Hemet, 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.
Would a conviction of a sex crime affect my immigration status?
Many sex convictions are treated as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude. Discuss immigration consequences before any plea.
Does California have a law against sexting?
Sexting in and of itself is not illegal, but California does have restrictions on it. It is a crime if consent wasn't obtained, or if a minor was involved.
Does statutory rape require registration now?
California updated its sex offender registration requirements for statutory rape effective January 1st, 2026. This mandates Tier 1 registration for most statutory rape convicts, unless the age gap was more than 10 years. Talk to your sex crimes lawyer before accepting any plea.
If I'm on the sex offender registry, what rules do I have to follow?
Every Hemet, CA, resident on the sex offender registry is required to update their information regularly with local law enforcement. Some people may face additional restrictions, such as notifying law enforcement before travel, a ban on firearm possession, and restricted use of the internet.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Is Ready to Defend Your Sex Crimes Case
This isn't a time to settle for second best. You need a strong, experienced criminal defense attorney to build your defense. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to take your case. If you need a sex crimes lawyer in Hemet, CA, get in touch now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to start building your defense.
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