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 Manhattan Beach, 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 Manhattan Beach, CA. We investigate, challenge the evidence, negotiate when that protects you, and try the case when it does not.
We give you someone you can count on. Call (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to talk to a sex crimes lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA.
President David S. Chesley, Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Manhattan Beach, CA
Manhattan Beach, CA treats sex crime accusations very seriously. Without an experienced sex crimes attorney, you could be facing:
- State prison or jail
- 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
It's never a good idea to try and handle your defense without support. Without help, you might be digging a hole you can't get out of. A sex crimes lawyer can change that.
What to Do if You Have Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Manhattan Beach, CA
- Don't talk to the person accusing you — even to apologize or "explain." 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 give permission to search your property if there isn't a warrant for it and if you haven't had a chance to check with your Manhattan Beach, CA sex charges attorney.
- Preserve everything. Trying to delete or hide evidence can end up making you look more guilty.
- Tell your Manhattan Beach, CA, sex crimes defense attorney everything: The more your attorney knows, the better defense they can build.
- Follow every release condition exactly — if you don't, it can make you look guilty.
- Talk to a professional for help handling the stress — counseling can help give you clarity on how to move forward.
No matter what else you do, the main thing you need to do is get help from an expert Manhattan Beach, CA, sex crimes defense lawyer right away. They can help guide you through the rest..
Charges a Manhattan Beach, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help You Fight
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape and sexual assault are probably the worst types of sex crimes to be charged with in Manhattan Beach, CA. Rape, in particular, is treated extremely harshly for allegedly using force to coerce someone into sexual intercourse.
Sexual assault (or sexual abuse) charges are often used as a catch-all that can include rape and other sexual crimes, most notably sexual battery. Sexual battery is defined in its own statute as the touching of another person's intimate parts without their consent, while the alleged victim was restrained. This touching must have been done for sexual purposes.
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
Child sex crimes are some of the most harshly viewed accusations in Manhattan Beach, CA, making it essential to work with an experienced sex crimes lawyer to fight them. 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
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 Manhattan Beach, CA, child sex crimes lawyer before taking a plea or establishing a defense.
Internet and Digital Sex Crimes
Online and digital sex crimes can be particularly complicated in California. For example, sexting with a minor is illegal, even if the supposed minor turned out to be an adult who was pretending. This is because the relevant statute (PC § 288.2) applies if the alleged offender believed they were talking to a minor, even if that wasn't true. Sexting can also overlap with stalking charges.
AI and Deepfake Pornography
As AI continues to advance at a fast rate, California lawmakers are setting limits for its use. These laws often intersect with sex crimes as they relate to pornography. 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 Manhattan Beach, CA, who is familiar with the most recent laws and updated regulations.
Prostitution
Prostitution has a long history in the United States, but is currently illegal in California. The state defines prostitution as exchanging a sexual act for something of value, which is often (but not always) money. The same law covers both acting as a prostitute and soliciting a prostitute, and the penalties include up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Additionally, sentence enhancements can add mandatory minimums of jail time and/or the suspension of your driver's license.
Related Charges
In Manhattan Beach, 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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Defends Each of the Following
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. The fight for your freedom doesn't begin when charges are filed — it begins as soon as the authorities start to look at you. These early days are crucial for setting your case up for success — having an expert sex crimes lawyer can help you preserve exculpatory evidence and maybe even negate charges from being filed in the first place.
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 under Penal Code § 1538.5, challenges to statements (Miranda / voluntariness), evidentiary fights under Evidence Code §§ 782, 1108, and 1101 (prior sexual conduct of the complaining witness, propensity evidence in sex offense cases, and character evidence generally), and motions to dismiss weak or overcharged counts.
Negotiation. Many criminal charges in Manhattan Beach, 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.
Your Manhattan Beach, CA, Sex Crime Lawyer Needs to Have These Qualities
- Knowledge of how to handle the exact charges against you
- Dedication to Connections with prosecutors and judges in Manhattan Beach
- Ideas for how to approach defense in your case
- Easy to contact and get updates on your case
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Manhattan Beach, 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 these numbers represent typical, general ranges, they can be altered by enhancing factors. 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 uses a three-tier system (SB 384, in effect since 2021):
- Tier 1 — normally 10 years, but some minors will only be put on the registry for 5 years. Examples: indecent exposure (misdemeanor) and sexual battery (misdemeanor).
- Tier 2 — generally 20 years. Examples: lewd acts with a minor under 14 and some sodomy cases.
- Tier 3 — lifetime for the most serious offenses (e.g., sex trafficking of a child, sodomy by force, forcible rape) and certain repeat or high-risk designations.
After the minimum period, Tier 1 and Tier 2 registrants may petition for termination under PC § 290.5 if they meet the statutory criteria. Tier 3 is different — relief, if any, is narrower. Failure to register is its own crime. Your Manhattan Beach, CA, sex crimes lawyer should treat registry exposure as a charging and plea issue from day one, not an afterthought at sentencing.
Defense Strategies Against Manhattan Beach, CA, Sex Crimes Charges
- Consent (where the statute allows it — not for children below the age of consent)
- In some cases, mistakes about the age of the other person can be used as a defense. This is most applicable in statutory or other minor-related cases, and isn't applicable in some others
- False or motivated accusation (custody, immigration, breakup, school discipline)
- Misidentification — unfortunately, misidentification can result in false accusations, even if the alleged victim is not acting maliciously
- Insufficient proof of a required element — you have the presumption of innocence on your side. When the prosecution fails to overcome this, your defense needs to explain it to the jury
- Violation of your rights
- Weak evidence that can be dismantled through examination
- Entrapment in cases like prostitution
- Charges were filed outside of the statute of limitations
This isn't just about defense strategies; this is about telling your side of the story in a convincing way, whether it's too a district attorney, a judge, or a jury.
Prior 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) — Avoided Jail and Sex Offender Registration; Charges to be Dismissed. 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. 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) — We Protected Our Client Against Prison and Sex Offender Classification. Through a defense built around consent, our lawyers secured a deal that released our client, crediting them for time served, 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. 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. Our client's reputation is also protected, as there are no public records of this case.
Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. If you have questions about realistic outcomes for your case, talk to one of our Manhattan Beach, CA, sex crime lawyers today.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sex Accusations in Manhattan Beach, CA
Do I need a lawyer if I am 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.
How will a sex crime conviction in Manhattan Beach, CA, affect immigration status?
It depends on the specific crime, but several sex crime convictions can be used as the basis for deportation.
Can a sex crimes lawyer help get charges reduced or dismissed?
While this is not a possibility in every sex crimes case, our attorneys will explore it as an option and negotiate for a favorable deal.
Will I be put on the sex offender registry if I'm convicted of statutory rape?
The specifics of statutory rape and the sex offender registry depends on the ages of those involved, when the alleged offense occurred, and the court's discretion. Contact an attorney prior to accepting any deal that includes sex offender registration.
How fast should I call?
As soon as you believe you're under suspicion. The sooner you bring in an expert Manhattan Beach, CA, sex crimes lawyer, the better your chances of a positive outcome.
Do You Need a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA? Call David Chesley
We won't sugarcoat it: These charges are a big deal, and you need someone who knows how to fight for your rights.
We are here to help — call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
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