You never thought it would come to this. The accusation may be a misunderstanding, exaggerated, or false. In Manhattan Beach, CA, a sex crime allegation can put prison, PC 290 registration, and your reputation at risk before a case is even filed. What you do in the first 48 hours matters.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends people accused of sex crimes in Manhattan Beach, CA — with offices across Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties) as well as Central and Northern California (Kern, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Fresno, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento, Sonoma, Alameda, San Joaquin, and San Francisco counties, and beyond). 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 reach out online to set up a no-strings-attached review of your charges.
President David S. Chesley, Manhattan Beach, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously 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
- Frequently, notifications to the public regarding your conviction
- The potential loss of child custody
- 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 — for any reason whatsoever. This can hurt your case in the long run.
- Don't speak without an attorney present. Only provide answers after consulting with your Manhattan Beach, CA, sex crimes lawyer
- Decline any search requests without a warrant and without counsel.
- Protect evidence that you have access to. Don't delete texts, photos, apps, location history, or social media — deletion is often argued as consciousness of guilt.
- Talk about your case with your sex crimes lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA: Without a full picture, they won't be able to build a complete defense.
- If given bail conditions, take every effort to adhere to them — 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.
Together with your Manhattan Beach, CA, sex charge defense attorney, you can set your case up for a positive outcome.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Defends All of the Below Sex Crime Charges in Manhattan Beach, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
It's hard to think of a crime that is publicly regarded as worse than rape in Manhattan Beach, CA. A conviction means up to 8 years in prison, as well as sex offender registration.
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.
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
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. Some child sex crimes don't even have to involve actually abusing a child — California's enticing a minor statute makes it a crime just to try and presuade a child into engaging in sexual conduct, whether or not they actually do.
Statutory Rape
Whether or not a minor agreed to have sex with an adult, the adult can be convicted of statutory rape (AKA unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor). This charge can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances and prosecutorial discretion. But a prison sentence isn't the only concern: You can also be forced to register as a sex offender, particularly if the alleged offense occurred after December 31st, 2025.
Internet and Digital Sex Crimes
Internet sex crimes are unique in that they don't always involve a direct action being taken against the victim. For example, possession of child pornography is a crime whether or not you were the one to produce it. Possession can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, while distribution or production is always a felony.
AI and Deepfake Pornography
As AI continues to advance at a fast rate, California lawmakers are creating regulations on 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.
Indecent Exposure
Indecent exposure might not sound like as big of a deal as sex crimes like rape, but you can still face major consequences. This charge alleges that someone intentionally exposed their privates to another person in an offensive way. Most first offenses are only a misdemeanor, but aggravated or repeat convictions can be elevated to a felony. Additionally, even for a misdemeanor conviction, sex offender registration is required. To minimize your chance of long-term consequences, call your Manhattan Beach, CA, sex crimes lawyer right away.
Related Charges
In Manhattan Beach, CA, we also defend human trafficking (PC § 236.1), 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.
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
Manhattan Beach, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Guidance at Every Stage of Your 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. 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. The right motions can set your case up for success. In addition to motions we commonly file (like suppression and dismissal), in sex crime cases we often file a motion to suppress identification. Unfortunately, misidentification can occur more often than it should in criminal cases, and sex crimes are no exception.
Negotiation. Since prosecutors have large caseloads, they often prefer to settle through a plea deal rather than go to trial. The right sex charges defense attorney can leverage this to their advantage and find a good deal that protects your record.
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.
Looking for a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Experience with your case type
- Relationships in Manhattan Beach, CA, courts
- Ideas for how to approach defense in your case
- A positive reputation with former clients
- A record of results in Manhattan Beach, CA, courts — not just a list of charges
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 the majority of sex crime cases may follow these guidelines, sentencing enhancements can greatly alter the end punishment. Talk to a sex crimes lawyer about what your exposure actually is. 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.
Sex Offender Registry Tiers in California
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: indecent exposure (misdemeanor) and sexual battery (misdemeanor).
- Tier 2 — generally 20 years. Examples: many serious/violent registerable felonies that are not automatic lifetime.
- 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.
Life on the sex offender registry is difficult — the public is able to look up your information, and it can impact employment opportunities, and leave lasting impacts long after a prison sentence. Talk to a sex crimes attorney to get help once you're eligible for removal.
Defense Strategies Against Manhattan Beach, CA, Sex Crimes Charges
- Consent (where the statute allows it — not for children below the age of consent)
- Honest misunderstandings regarding the age of the alleged victim. If they lied about their age, that may be enough to prove a lack of intent
- 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
- 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
- Illegally acquired evidence
- Entrapment when the supposed offender did not have a predisposition towards the crime, and the government coerced them into it
Your Manhattan Beach, 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) — No Jail Time, No Sex Offender Registration, Dismissed Upon Completion of Probation. Our skillful team leveraged plea negotiations to help our client avoid a prison sentence and stay off of the ex offender registry.
- Rape (PC § 261) — Felony Accusation, All Charges Dismissed Before Trial. When our client was wrongly accused of participating in an assault, we presented a defense showing their lack of participation. No public record of the case remains.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — Our Defense Protected Our Client From 6 Years in Prison and Sex Offender Registration. Through a defense built around consent, we protected our client from an extended jail sentence and secured a favorable outcome, and our resolution also kept our client off of the California sex offender registry.
- Child Molestation (PC § 288) and Sodomy with a Child Under 10 (PC § 288.7) — Charges Dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing. A conviction of these charges would have sent our client to prison for life, along with permanent sex offender registration. 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.
These results are representative of past performance, but do not guarantee future results. Every case in Manhattan Beach, CA, is evaluated on its own facts, and results depend on the specific evidence and circumstances involved.
Common Questions for Sex Crimes in Manhattan Beach, CA
If I didn't do it, should I still contact a sex crimes lawyer?
It's critical to work with an attorney, whether or not the accusation has any merit. It's easy for mistakes to be misconstrued, and your lawyer can help you present your side of the story.
How will a sex crime conviction in Manhattan Beach, CA, affect immigration status?
Many sex convictions are treated as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude. Discuss immigration consequences before any plea.
Does California's sex offender registry include 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.
How fast should I call?
Before you speak to police if you can. After an accusation or a "detective wants to hear your side" call, hours matter.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Sex Crimes Lawyers in Manhattan Beach, CA
We won't sugarcoat it: These charges are a big deal, and you need someone who knows how to fight for your rights.
Our phone lines are open 24/7. If you need a sex crimes lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA, call now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online. We're committed to our clients.
Payment Plans
