You never thought it would come to this. The accusation may be a misunderstanding, exaggerated, or false. In Santa Monica, 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.
For Santa Monica, 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. When you call us, you're getting a team that's ready to help, whatever you need.
We're here to help, not to judge. Call (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to talk to a sex crimes lawyer in Santa Monica, CA.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Santa Monica, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously in Santa Monica, CA
A sex crime charge is not a typical misdemeanor or even a typical felony. A conviction can mean:
- State prison or jail
- Mandatory or discretionary sex offender registration under Penal Code § 290
- A social stigma that will follow you after release
- Many collateral consequences
- Ongoing governmental supervision
Don't try to face these consequences alone. The right Santa Monica, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you minimize or even avoid them.
Arrested for a Sex Crime in Santa Monica, CA? Take These Steps Now
- Avoid contact with the alleged victim — No matter what your intentions are, it's a bad idea. That can be charged as witness intimidation or violating a protective order.
- Keep quiet during interrogations. Say only: "I want to speak with my attorney."
- Don't give permission to search your property without a warrant and without checking with your Santa Monica, CA, sex crimes lawyer first.
- Save any evidence. Don't delete texts, photos, apps, location history, or social media — deletion is often argued as consciousness of guilt.
- Tell your Santa Monica, CA, sex crimes defense attorney everything: The more your attorney knows, the better defense they can build.
- Follow every release condition exactly — you can face serious penalties for breaking these.
- Get counselling/mental health support — look for local mental health resources to help cope with the stress of your case.
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Together with your Santa Monica, CA, sex charge defense attorney, you can set your case up for a positive outcome.
Get Help With the Following Santa Monica, CA, Sex Crime Charges
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape is charged under Penal Code § 261. In Santa Monica, 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, meanwhile, is a catch-all term for several violent sex crimes (often including rape and sexual battery).
In the past, a rape accusation between spouses had different consequences that were considered more lenient. Today, though, this no longer applies, and alleged rapes between spouses are treated the same as any other.
Child Sex Crimes
Child sex crimes are some of the most harshly viewed accusations in Santa Monica, 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
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
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 address 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 you need a sex crimes lawyer in Santa Monica, CA, who is an expert on AI functionality to defend you.
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 Santa Monica, 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
Santa Monica, 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. Evidence can play a major role in sex crime cases. We'll not only look at everything that the state has discovered, but also conduct our own investigations to find anything that can help your defense.
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 Santa Monica, 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. Not every case can be handled through negotiations. When talks break down, we use our defensive strategy to persuade the jury. And if the outcome is guilty on any charge, we'll advocate for you in sentencing.
Looking for a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Santa Monica, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Direct experience with your statute (PC 261 is not the same case as PC 288.4)
- Dedication to Connections with prosecutors and judges in Santa Monica
- Ideas for how to approach defense in your case
- 24/7 availability
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Santa Monica, CA, Sex Crime Penalties: What You're Facing
| 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. . A rape conviction can also carry a separate PC § 264 restitution fine directed to victim assistance programs.
California's Three-Tier Sex Offender Registry System
California uses a three-tier system (SB 384, in effect since 2021):
- Tier 1 — normally a 10-year period on the registry. 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: 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.
On top of the lengthy time periods of registration, failure to register is an offense in and of itself. While on the registry, you can be facing challenges finding a house or job, restrictions on where you are able to travel, and a devastating social stigma. Your sex crimes lawyer can help you petition for removal once you're eligible for relief.
Defenses Our Santa Monica, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyers Use
- Consent applies in several sex crime charges, since many are only illegal if a party did not 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 — unfortunately, some people will make up criminal accusations in order to get something they want
- Alibi — one of the strongest defenses against a sex crime accusation is to prove you were elsewhere at the time
- 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
- Evidence obtained in a way that violated your rights
- Unreliable child forensic interviews
- Entrapment in cases like prostitution
- Statute of limitations or charging defects
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.
Past 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) — Client Avoided Jail and Sex Offender Registration; Dismissal Available After Probation. 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 Before Trial. The client was present at a gathering where two other individuals were separately accused of assaulting a woman; the client had no involvement in the alleged conduct. We demonstrated the client's lack of involvement, and the court dismissed all charges at the preliminary hearing. 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. Using a consent-based defense, we negotiated a resolution giving the client credit for time served, 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. Our client was being held without bail and could have been sent to prison for life, if convicted. 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.
The above cases are selected as a representation of the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's results — they do not guarantee a specific outcome in a given 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 Santa Monica, CA
Is it still important to hire an attorney if you're innocent?
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.
Will a sex crime in Santa Monica, CA, affect immigration status?
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.
Can a sex crimes lawyer help get charges reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes — through pretrial motions, incomplete proof, or a negotiated reduction that also fixes registration. It depends on the evidence and the statute.
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.
If I'm on the sex offender registry, what rules do I have to follow?
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 Is Ready to Defend Your Sex Crimes Case
Working with the right attorney can protect your freedom and defend you against the related social stigma. And you need to get started right away.
Get help right away — call us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to talk with your Santa Monica, CA, sex crimes lawyer.
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