You need a sex crimes lawyer in Palmdale, 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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends people accused of sex crimes in Palmdale, 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). We investigate, challenge the evidence, negotiate when that protects you, and try the case when it does not.
We will listen to your side of the story. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to set up a no-strings-attached review of your charges.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Palmdale, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously in Palmdale, CA
Sex crime charges are serious. A conviction can lead to:
- Months or even years behind bars
- Years (or even a lifetime) on the sex offender registry
- A social stigma that will follow you after release
- Many collateral consequences
- Ongoing governmental supervision
Trying to "clear it up" with police, the accuser, or a school or Title IX office almost always makes the file worse. Get help from someone who will protect your rights.
Arrested for a Sex Crime in Palmdale, CA? Take These Steps Now
- Avoid contact with the alleged victim — Any contact, for whatever reason, is not a good idea. That can be charged as witness intimidation or violating a protective order.
- When interviewed, don't answer questions. Respectfully request to speak with your attorney.
- Do not consent to a phone or home search without a warrant and without checking with your Palmdale, CA, sex crimes lawyer first.
- Protect evidence that you have access to. Don't delete anything, as this can be twisted as hiding evidence.
- Share everything you know with your defense attorney: dates, locations, witnesses, alcohol, prior relationship, and who else had a motive.
- Obey court orders — failing to do so can send you to jail.
- Get help handling the pressure — 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 hard to stay on top of everything. But with a leading Palmdale, 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 Palmdale, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape is charged under Penal Code § 261. In Palmdale, CA, it is a felony with a triad of 3, 6, or 8 years in state prison in a typical case, plus fines and usually Tier 3 lifetime registration. Rape is one form of sexual assault. Sexual assault is not defined on its own in California law, but instead is a term used to describe a category of violent offenses of a sexual nature.
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. 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.
Online 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.
Lewd Conduct in Public
It may be easy to confuse lewd conduct in public with indecent exposure, but these are separate offenses in Palmdale, CA. Where indecent exposure refers to a person showing off their own genitalia in an offensive manner, one difference with lewd conduct can involve another person. Lewd conduct involves the alleged sexual touching of one's own or someone else's privates in a public place, offending other people in the area. Intentions don't matter — just whether or not someone was present who was upset by the actions.
Related Charges
In Palmdale, CA, we also defend indecent exposure (PC § 314), human trafficking (PC § 236.1), 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.
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 Palmdale, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
Pre-filing and investigation. If you are being investigated but not yet charged in Palmdale, CA court, we try to control contact with police, preserve favorable evidence, and, when appropriate, present a package that argues against filing.
Discovery and forensics. We obtain police reports, body-cam footage, SART/rape-kit notes, pretext-call recordings, phones, cloud accounts, and expert review of DNA, toxicology, and digital media. Many cases turn on delayed disclosure, inconsistent statements, suggestive interviewing of children, or missing intent.
Motions. Suppression. If we find that any of the state's evidence was wrongfully obtained, we will file a motion to suppress it, removing it from the case against you. And if their case is sufficiently weakened, we'll follow up with a motion to dismiss the charges against you.
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. 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 Palmdale, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Experience with your case type
- Dedication to Connections with prosecutors and judges in Palmdale
- A defense strategy that you can understand
- 24/7 availability
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Penalties (General Statutory Ranges)
| 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. Talk to a sex crimes lawyer about what your exposure actually is. If convicted of rape, you may also be required to pay a fine.
Sex Offender Registry Tiers in California
If convicted, many sex crimes require you to register at one of the three below tiers:
- Tier 1 — generally 10 years (5 years in some juvenile cases). Examples: many misdemeanor sexual battery and indecent exposure convictions; some PC § 261.5 convictions for offenses on or after January 1, 2026, under SB 680.
- 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., forcible rape, many child-victim force cases, many felony child pornography convictions) 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.
Effective Defenses Versus Sex Crime Charges in Palmdale, CA
- 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 (e.g. forcible sex crimes)
- 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 (intent, force, "lewd purpose," knowledge of age, possession vs. unsolicited file)
- Illegally acquired evidence
- Weak evidence that can be dismantled through examination
- Entrapment, when law enforcement goes too far in convincing the alleged offender
- Technical issues with the way the case was filed
Picking the right defense strategy is important, but it's not everything. You also need a persuasive Palmdale, 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. We protected our client's record after being accused of solicitation. Through skillful negotiation, we were able to have all charges dismissed after the completion of an educational program.
- Statutory Rape (PC § 261.5) — Protected Client From Jail, Sex Offender Registry, and Record. 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 at Preliminary Hearing. When our client was wrongly accused of participating in an assault, we presented a defense showing their lack of participation. The case records not viewable by the public.
- 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 demonstrated that the allegations had been fabricated, and the court dismissed all charges at the preliminary hearing. As an added bonus, our client's privacy is protected as any remaining records are not available to the public.
While past cases can help inform you on a firm's abilities, they do not necessarily represent results for a future case. Our sex crime defense attorneys will evaluate your case based on its own merits and help you in finding the best outcome for your unique situation.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sex Crime Charges in Palmdale, CA
Can a sex crimes lawyer still help if the accusations aren't true?
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.
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.
Do I have to stay on the sex offender registry for life in Palmdale, CA?
If you were convicted of a tier 1 offense, you can generally apply for removal after 10 years. Tier 2 is similar, just after 20 years. Tier 3 results in a lifetime sex offender registration.
Does statutory rape require registration now?
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.
What restrictions do sex offenders face in Califronia?
The main rule is to register with law enforcement and provide regular updates. In certain cases, additional restrictions (such as regarding career and housing) can also apply.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Premier Sex Crimes Lawyers in Palmdale, CA
There isn't an easy way out of this, but with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you'll get a team that is dedicated to protecting your rights and will fight for your freedom.
We are here to help — call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
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