Riverside Statutory Rape Defense Lawyer

Just an accusation of statutory rape is enough for society to ostracize and vilify the accused, even if the case is dismissed or the defendant is adjudged not guilty. A conviction for statutory rape can leave the life of the accused in tatters, resulting in incarceration, fines, probation requirements, and other negative consequences. If you have been accused, indicted, or arrested for statutory rape, you need to seek out legal help from a Riverside statutory rape defense attorney immediately. 

Statutory rape laws were initially put on the books in California and elsewhere to protect the most vulnerable in our society—children—from being sexually exploited. Children are too immature to consent to have sex with adults, and these laws penalize adults who knowingly take advantage of the innocence and naivete of kids and teens. However, these same laws that protect children are oftentimes used to demonize defendants who are innocent of the charges against them.

Statutory Rape Defined

Each state has a slightly different language that is used to describe statutory rape, but the act is basically the same, no matter where you live. In California, statutory rape refers to the nonforcible sexual penetration of a person who is not old enough to consent—which is 18 years of age or older in California. However, when the victim in question is younger than 14 years of age, then the crime is generally classified as a sexual assault instead of statutory rape. 

Statutory rape can be a felony or a misdemeanor in the state of California, depending on the age of the parties involved in the sex act. More specifically, the difference in the ages of the participants is what determines if statutory rape occurred and if the offense meets the criteria for a felony or misdemeanor charge. Defendants who are age 21 or older face stiffer penalties. 

In California, the defendant may be charged with misdemeanor statutory rape if they are three years or less older than the victim. In cases where the accused is greater than three years older than the victim, the offense is known as a wobbler offense and may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony at the discretion of the prosecution. 

To be found guilty of statutory rape beyond a reasonable doubt, several elements must be found to be true. First, the accused must have had sexual intercourse with the victim. The victim and the defendant must not have been married at the time that the intercourse took place. The victim must be under age 18 when the parties had sex. 

Examples of Statutory Rape

The line between consensual sex and statutory rape is sometimes blurry, but it is legally defined by the state of California. Some examples: 

• A 24-year-old and a 15-year-old have sex. Both parties consented. However, the 15-year-old is not considered capable under the law of making the decision to engage in sexual activity, and the 24-year-old is charged with statutory rape. 
• A 20-year-old meets a 15-year-old on a dating website. The 15-year-old’s profile indicates that they are 19. The two meet and end up having sex. The 20-year-old is subsequently charged with statutory rape under California Penal Code 261.5. 
• An 18-year-old and a 17-year-old have sex. The 18-year-old may be guilty of statutory rape. 

Martial Exception

The only clear exception to the statutory rape laws in the state of California – the marital exception. Partners who are legally married, despite a difference in age, can legally have sex. With one parent’s consent, minors are legally permitted to marry whoever they choose, regardless of the partner’s age. 

What if the Underage Person Consents? 

In the state of California, statutory rape is a crime even when the victim has given consent to the accused. This is because the person who is underage is not legally capable of giving their consent to sexual activity. Unless the person you have sex with is age 18 or older, the state of California deems the person unable to make their own decisions about whether or not to have sex.

What if the Underage Person Lies About Their Age? 

The laws on statutory rape in the state of California are quite strict, and this includes cases where the underage person is not truthful about their age and makes the defendant believe they are older than they are. The defendant in this instance may still face charges of statutory rape. For instance, a 24-year-old meets a 15-year-old with a fake ID in a bar. The two ultimately have sex. The defendant can be charged with statutory rape, even if the underage person appeared to be older than 18 and backed up their lies with a fake document to make their story believable.

Understanding the Gravity of Statutory Rape Charges

The first step for any defendant in a sex-based case is to grasp a full understanding of the seriousness of the charges levied against them. As mentioned earlier, the crime of statutory rape can be classified and charged as a misdemeanor if the age difference between the victim and the accused is less than three years. The same is true for so-called “wobbler” charges, where the prosecution has the discretion to charge the defendant with a felony or a misdemeanor. The accused’s criminal history and the facts surrounding the case help determine which way the prosecution leans—felony or misdemeanor—and is not set in stone. 

Defendants convicted of felony statutory rape face heightened penalties and may face up to three years in prison. Sentencing is enhanced if the victim was under 16 and the defendant was older than 21 at the time the act was committed; a conviction may come with up to four years in prison. 

Although the California Penal Code does not require registration as a sex offender for statutory rape alone if the defendant faces other charges that warrant submission to the National Sex Offender Registry, those requirements must be met. For instance, if the offender is convicted under 261 PC for lewd and lascivious acts with a child, then there is a requirement for ongoing registration as a sex offender.

Why the Law Offices of Graham Donath Should Defend Your Statutory Rape Case

The state of California takes a hard stance on those who commit statutory rape, so the penalties assessed are quite serious. Those convicted of statutory rape will more than likely face incarceration and fines, and they may be required to register as a sex offender—a stigma that can haunt the convicted person for decades or even life. What’s more, a conviction for statutory rape can affect your ability to rent the home you want, get the job you want, or even get in the school of your choice. 

Because statutory rape is such a serious offense that puts your liberty and freedom in jeopardy, you need the best possible criminal defense attorney. Attorney Graham Donath has unique qualifications to defend you against statutory rape charges. Attorney Donath is:

• A Certified Specialist in Criminal Law as recognized by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. 
• A former Riverside County deputy public defender. In this role, Mr. Donath was able to gain experience representing people who were charged with sex-based offenses, including statutory rape. 
• Experienced in handling all types of criminal matters. Attorney Donath has represented clients in thousands of criminal cases, including those charged with felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile offenses. 
• An active participant and leader in multiple criminal defense and criminal justice organizations and associations. This includes the Criminal Defense Panel of Riverside County and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. 
• Consistently named as one of Southern California’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers, a distinction Attorney Donath has enjoyed since 2013. 
• A compassionate and staunch advocate for clients, providing aggressive and thoughtful defense strategies to minimize the consequences clients face in court. 

How Your California Criminal Defense Attorney Protects Your Liberty and Freedom

The criminal justice system is designed to protect the safety of the public at large, but it is an imperfect system. Because of these flaws, many defendants who are falsely accused slip through the cracks, mainly due to the fact that they had counsel that didn’t work hard for them or prioritize their cases. 

There are definitive procedures that must be followed in a court of law. These standard practices help to ensure that while the criminal justice system is flawed and imperfect, defendants get their fair shake. 

As a seasoned and trusted criminal defense attorney, Mr. Donath understands the nuances of criminal court and how to analyze the particular circumstances revolving around every case. This is useful in building the best possible criminal defense strategy to give his clients a fighting chance at minimizing or eliminating the negative possibilities that come with a conviction. 

As a client of Mr. Donath’s, you can expect him to:

• Help you fully grasp the seriousness of the charges you are facing. Mr. Donath will break down the charges against you so that you are fully aware of the penalties that might be assessed if you are found guilty. 
• Undertake a full review of any evidence the prosecution has against you. By analyzing the evidence, Mr. Donath and his team can look for holes that create reasonable doubt that the allegations against you are accurate. 
• Work with the prosecutorial team to reduce or even drop the charges you are facing.
• Formulate the best possible strategy to take to a jury trial if necessary. 
• Interview and work with witnesses—including expert witnesses if needed—to best represent your innocence and support the strategy devised to defend you. 
• Prepare and submit all paperwork to the court. 
• Represent you and your best interests in all court hearings and proceedings. 

California Statutory Rape Defenses 

While every situation is different, there are some common defenses to the charge of statutory rape. The most common is that the accused believed that the victim was of majority age when the sex act occurred. Sometimes evidence of this belief can be backed up with messages from the accuser stating that they are 18 or older or in the observance of an ID that was shown to the accused that documented the accuser’s age. 

Another defense may be that the crime never occurred at all. If there is no physical evidence and no witnesses saying that it occurred, then the prosecution’s reliance solely on the statements of the accuser may not be sufficient to convince a jury of the accused’s guilt. After all, it is not unheard of for accusers to fabricate accusations for any number of reasons, or even no reason at all. 

What is the Statute of Limitations for Statutory Rape in California? 

The statute of limitations (the time period during which charges must be brought against the alleged perpetrator) for statutory rape varies from one to three years. If the crime is a misdemeanor, then the statute of limitations is one year. If the crime is classified as a felony, then the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the incident. 

What Should You Do When Charged with Statutory Rape?

Statutory rape is a serious offense, and when faced with the threat of losing your liberty and freedom by being incarcerated, your first inclination is likely to discuss the situation with investigators and protest your guilt. However, it is not advisable that you do so. 

You have the constitutional right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during questioning. If you fail to do so, anything you say—even if it is taken out of context—can be used against you in court. For this reason, stay silent until you have contacted your attorney who can advise you about which questions you can answer. Your attorney can also demand to see the evidence against you, which can help determine the strength of the prosecution’s case. 

Facing a Statutory Rape Charge? Let Our Riverside Criminal Defense Attorney Help

Being accused of a criminal offense can be scary, but when you are charged with a sexually based crime, it is particularly frightening and can also be embarrassing or humiliating. At the Law Offices of Graham Donath, our team understands what you are going through and works tirelessly to help you fight the charges against you with the goal of preserving your freedom and liberty. Discuss your case with our compassionate, nonjudgmental Riverside criminal defense attorney by reaching out to request a confidential consultation. You can also call us in Riverside at 951-667-5293 or in Orange County at 714-758-5293.