A sex crimes lawyer in sex crimes lawyer in Westlake Village, CA is a person you're probably not excited to call, but if you're facing accusations, you need one immediately. Whatever your situation is, this isn't the time to sit around and wait. The sooner you reach out to an expert, the better your chances are of a positive outcome. You need to get help now.
For Westlake Village, 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. We handle everything from investigation to trial.
We're here to help, not to judge. Call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to get help from your Westlake Village, CA, sex crimes lawyer.
President David S. Chesley, Westlake Village, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Why You Need to Treat Sex Crime Charges Seriously in Westlake Village, CA
Westlake Village, CA treats sex crime accusations very seriously. Without an experienced sex crimes attorney, you could be facing:
- State prison or jail
- Mandatory or discretionary sex offender registration under Penal Code § 290
- Public Megan's Law listing in many cases
- Many collateral consequences
- A federal firearms ban and, in some cases, passport restrictions
Trying to "clear it up" with police, the accuser, or a school or Title IX office almost always makes the file worse. You need counsel who will protect the record and the rest of your life.
How to Handle Westlake Village, CA, Sex Crime Accusations
- Avoid contact with the alleged victim — even to apologize or "explain." Doing so often just looks like intimidating the alleged victim.
- Keep quiet during interrogations. Be respectful, but don't answer any questions. Instead, request to speak with your attorney.
- Don't give permission to search your property without a warrant and without counsel.
- Preserve everything. Deletion can be a crime in and of itself, and make you look guilty.
- Write a private timeline for your lawyer only: It's important that your lawyer has a full view of the situation.
- Obey court orders — failing to do so can send you to jail.
- Get counselling/mental health support — counseling can help give you clarity on how to move forward.
Together with your Westlake Village, 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 Westlake Village, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape and sexual assault are probably the worst types of sex crimes to be charged with in Westlake Village, CA. Rape, in particular, is treated extremely harshly for allegedly using force to coerce someone into sexual intercourse. 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
Child sex crimes are some of the most harshly viewed accusations in Westlake Village, CA, making it essential to work with an experienced sex crimes lawyer to fight them. California has no general "Romeo and Juliet" defense. Age, force, and the specific code section drive both prison exposure and the registration tier.
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 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.
AI and Deepfake Pornography
As AI continues to advance at a fast rate, California lawmakers are setting limits for its use. This is related to sex crimes, specifically for generative pornographic content. Recent laws have established that AI-generated child pornography can be prosecuted as if it were an image of an actual child. Additional laws have also made it illegal to create and share deepfake pornography that appears to be actual images of the subject. As these laws continue to develop, it's important to work with a sex crimes lawyer in Westlake Village, 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 Westlake Village, 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 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 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. A sex crime charge defense isn't just about avoiding incarceration; it's about staying off of the sex offender registry. A plea deal can be a compromise that protects your reputation.
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 Westlake Village, CA? Don't Overlook These Factors
- Knowledge of how to handle the exact charges against you
- Readiness to help right away, no matter what stage your case is at
- Honesty and transparency when discussing your case
- Availability and a single point of contact
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Westlake Village, 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. Every case is individual. If convicted of rape, you may also be required to pay a fine.
California's Three-Tier Sex Offender Registry System
California uses a three-tier system (SB 384, in effect since 2021):
- Tier 1 — typically for a 10-year term, or 5 years for most juvenile cases. 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., forcible rape, kidnapping in conjunction with a sex crime, aggravated sexual assault of a child) 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 Westlake Village, CA
- Consent can be a powerful defense and/or mitigating factor — so long as the alleged victim had the capacity to give it
- Reasonable, good-faith mistake as to the accuser's age (the "Hernandez defense," CALCRIM No. 1071) — available for statutory rape under PC § 261.5, but not available for lewd acts with a child under 14 (PC § 288) or for human trafficking (PC § 236.1), where a defendant's belief about age is not a defense as a matter of law
- 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
- 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 — when the prosecution fails to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, your attorney can use that to sway the jury
- Unlawful search of phones and cloud accounts
- Weak evidence that can be dismantled through examination
- Entrapment in cases like prostitution
- Statute of limitations or charging defects
Picking the right defense strategy is important, but it's not everything. You also need a persuasive Westlake Village, CA, sex crimes lawyer to present it.
Former 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 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. Using a consent-based defense, we negotiated a resolution giving the client credit 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. Our client was being held without bail and could have been sent to prison for life, if convicted. We examined the prosecution's evidence and were able to demonstrate to the court that the accusation was false, securing a dismissal. 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. 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 Westlake Village, CA
If I didn't do it, should I still contact a sex crimes lawyer?
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.
Will a sex crime in Westlake Village, CA, affect immigration status?
It depends on the specific crime, but several sex crime convictions can be used as the basis for deportation.
Is sexting legal in California?
Sexting in and of itself is not illegal, but California does have restrictions on it. It is a crime if consent wasn't obtained, or if a minor was involved.
Will I be put on the sex offender registry if I'm convicted of statutory rape?
California updated its sex offender registration requirements for statutory rape effective January 1st, 2026. This mandates Tier 1 registration for most statutory rape convicts, unless the age gap was more than 10 years. Talk to your sex crimes lawyer before accepting any plea.
When should I contact an attorney?
As soon as you believe you're under suspicion. After an accusation or a "detective wants to hear your side" call, hours matter.
Do You Need a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Westlake Village, CA? Call David Chesley
This isn't a time to settle for second best. You need a strong, experienced criminal defense attorney to build your defense. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Protect your freedom now — call us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online to talk with your Westlake Village, CA, sex crimes lawyer.
Payment Plans
