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 Panorama City, CA to help you handle these charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends people accused of sex crimes in Panorama City, 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 will fight for you. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to talk to a sex crimes lawyer in Panorama City, CA.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Panorama City, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why Panorama City, CA, Sex Crime Cases Are Different
Panorama City, CA treats sex crime accusations very seriously. Without an experienced sex crimes attorney, you could be facing:
- Months or even years behind bars
- Years (or even a lifetime) on the sex offender registry
- Frequently, notifications to the public regarding your conviction
- Many collateral consequences
- Extensive fines and restitution requirements
Don't try to face these consequences alone. The right Panorama City, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you minimize or even avoid them.
How to Handle Panorama City, CA, Sex Crime Accusations
- Avoid contact with the alleged victim — even to apologize or "explain." You could face additional charges for witness intimidation.
- Do not talk to police, detectives, or campus investigators. Be respectful, but don't answer any questions. Instead, request to speak with your attorney.
- Don't share your phone or let investigators access your property if there isn't a warrant for it 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 Panorama City, 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.
- Talk to a professional for help handling the stress — look for local mental health resources to help cope with the stress of your case.
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Early counsel can sometimes intervene before filing, especially in online sting, statutory, and "he said / she said" investigations.
Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Panorama City, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape is charged under Penal Code § 261. In Panorama City, 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.
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.
California used to have a separate law regarding spousal rape, but this was repealed in 2021.
Child Sex Crimes
Child sex crimes are some of the most harshly viewed accusations in Panorama City, CA, making it essential to work with an experienced sex crimes lawyer to fight them. 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
Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor is a misdemeanor or a wobbler depending on ages. Important 2026 change: for offenses on or after January 1, 2026, SB 680 added certain PC § 261.5(c) and (d) convictions to PC § 290. Those cases can require Tier 1 (10-year) registration, unless the defendant was not more than 10 years older than the minor and that is the only registerable conviction. Courts can still order registration under PC § 290.006. Offenses before January 1, 2026 are not brought onto the registry by SB 680. This should be analyzed before any plea.
Internet and Digital Sex Crimes
Internet sex crimes vary widely in nature. Some overlap with child sex crimes (the possession, production, or distribution of child pornography, for example), while others are crimes even if the conduct only involved adults (posting of revenge porn, for example). Defenses often hinge on whether or not the alleged offender was the one to break the law, or if another person was using their computer/profile.
Deepfake Sexual Content
Deepfake sexual content can lead to serious criminal charges. California law has made it illegal to share photorealistic, intimate images of an identifiable person, even if they are artificial or AI-generated. A first conviction is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, while repeat convictions can be punished with up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
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 Panorama City, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you find a positive outcome.
Related Charges
In Panorama City, 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
Panorama City, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Guidance at Every Stage of Your Case
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 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. 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. Many criminal charges in Panorama City, 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. If the case should be tried, we try it. If there is a conviction, we litigate strikes, enhancements, and PC 290 placement.
Your Panorama City, CA, Sex Crime Lawyer Needs to Have These Qualities
- Knowledge of how to handle the exact charges against you
- Relationships in Panorama City, CA, courts
- Honesty and transparency when discussing your case
- Easy to contact and get updates on your case
- A person-centered approach
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. Every case is individual. 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.
The Sex Offender Registry (PC 290)
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 — generally 20 years. Examples: incest, some rape cases, and penetration with a foreign object.
- 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 Panorama City, 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 Panorama City, CA, Sex Crimes Charges
- Consent (where the statute allows it — not for children below the age of consent)
- False or motivated accusation False accusations — sometimes, it can be just as important to show why the person is making the accusation as it is to show your innocence. If an ulterior motive is revealed, this can be a powerful part of a defense startegy
- Misidentification — unfortunately, misidentification can result in false accusations, even if the alleged victim is not acting maliciously
- Insufficient proof of a required element (intent, force, "lewd purpose," knowledge of age, possession vs. unsolicited file)
- Illegally acquired evidence
- Weak evidence that can be dismantled through examination
- Entrapment in cases like prostitution
- Technical issues with the way the case was filed
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. 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. 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) — Felony Accusation, All Charges Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing. Our client was potentially up against 25 years in prison and a lifetime on the sex offender registry. They were present at an event where a woman was assaulted, but they took no part in it. The state charged them with rape, but we were able to argue in the preliminary hearing that the charges were not applicable due to our client's lack of participation. All charges were dismissed. No public record of the case remains.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — Successful Consent Based Defense Protect Our Client From Prison. 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) — Defense Secured Dismissal of Charges, Avoiding Prison 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. As an added bonus, our client's privacy is protected as any remaining records are not available to the public.
Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any 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 Accusations in Panorama City, CA
Can a sex crimes lawyer still help if the accusations aren't true?
Yes. Innocence does not stop an investigation, an arrest, or a filing decision. Counsel is how your evidence gets into the file and how illegal searches and bad interviews get challenged.
Is there a risk of deportation if I'm convicted?
To protect your immigration status, you need to take these charges seriously. A conviction can be considered an aggravated felony or crime of moral turpitude, depending on the statute.
Does California have a law against sexting?
Whether or not sexting breaks California law depends on who was involved and whether consent was obtained. It's illegal when the recipient does not consent, when an image includes a person who did not consent, or if a minor is involved at all.
Does statutory rape require registration now?
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.
If I'm on the sex offender registry, what rules do I have to follow?
Some of the main requirements are to register with local law enforcement where they live, provide annual updates, and may face residency limitations.
Accused of a Sex Crime? Call Now
There isn't a guaranteed way to beat these charges, but with professional help, you'll get guidance on how to maximize your chances.
We are ready for your case — call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online for a free review of the charges against you.
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