You need a sex crimes lawyer in Chatsworth, 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.
For Chatsworth, 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.
Don't give up before speaking to one of our attorneys. Call (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form for a confidential, free case review.
Attorney David S. Chesley, Chatsworth, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Chatsworth, CA
Sex crime charges are serious. They go beyond the typical consequences of a conviction:
- Incarceration
- Mandatory or discretionary sex offender registration under Penal Code § 290
- A social stigma that will follow you after release
- The potential loss of child custody
- 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. Call our attorneys now — we'll fight for your freedom from day 1.
Arrested for a Sex Crime in Chatsworth, CA? Take These Steps Now
- Do not contact the accuser — Any contact, for whatever reason, is not a good idea. That can be charged as witness intimidation or violating a protective order.
- Keep quiet during interrogations. Only provide answers after consulting with your Chatsworth, CA, sex crimes lawyer
- Don't share your phone or let investigators access your property if there isn't a warrant for it and without checking with your Chatsworth, CA, sex crimes lawyer first.
- Preserve everything. Deletion can be a crime in and of itself, and make you look guilty.
- Share everything you know with your defense attorney: It's important that your lawyer has a full view of the situation.
- Obey all conditions of release — failing to do so can send you to jail.
- Get help handling the pressure — counseling can help give you clarity on how to move forward.
On your own, it can be a lot to handle. But with a leading Chatsworth, 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 Chatsworth, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
It's hard to think of a crime that is publicly regarded as worse than rape in Chatsworth, CA. A conviction means up to 8 years in prison, as well as sex offender 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.
Sexual battery under Penal Code section 243.4 involves nonconsensual touching of an intimate part for sexual arousal, gratification or abuse. Unlawful restraint is required by some subdivisions, but not every form of the offense. The charged subdivision controls the elements prosecutors must prove.
Child Sex Crimes
There are a wide range of potential child sex crime accusations in California, including lewd acts with a child, sexual abuse, and possession of child pornography. 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
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.
Online and Digital Sex Crimes
Online and digital sex crimes can be particularly complicated in California. Sending harmful material to a person believed to be a minor can violate PC § 288.2, even if the recipient is an adult posing as a minor. Prosecutors must prove the required knowledge and intent, including intent to arouse sexual desire and to engage in specified sexual conduct with that person. A belief about age alone does not make every message described as sexting this offense. Sexting can also overlap with stalking charges.
AI and Deepfake Pornography
As AI continues to advance at a fast rate, California lawmakers are setting limits for its use. These laws often intersect with sex crimes as they relate to pornography. Recent laws have established that AI-generated child pornography can be prosecuted as if it were an image of an actual child. Deepfake pornography is also addressed in other California criminal laws. As these laws continue to develop, it's important to work with a sex crimes lawyer in Chatsworth, CA, who is familiar with the most recent laws and updated regulations.
Lewd Conduct in Public
It may be easy to confuse lewd conduct in public with indecent exposure, but these are separate offenses in Chatsworth, 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 Chatsworth, 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)), 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). Former § 653.22 loitering-with-intent cases are historical because that provision was repealed effective January 1, 2023; former convictions have a separate relief path under § 653.29. Those pages are linked from the list below.
Prostitution
Penal Code section 647(b) addresses specified acts of prostitution, solicitation and agreements involving sexual intercourse or lewd acts for money or other compensation. An agreement charge requires both the specific intent to engage in the act and an additional act in furtherance. Ordinary adult cases are generally misdemeanors, but penalties differ for buyers who solicit minors and can include felony punishment in the circumstances specified in section 647(l). Section 647(b)(5) excludes commercially exploited children under 18 from prosecution for conduct undertaken to receive payment. The exact charge, ages and alleged conduct must be reviewed before stating the possible sentence.
Get Legal Support From a Chatsworth, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer With All of the Below Charges
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 Chatsworth, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Can Help
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. 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. 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. If the case should be tried, we try it. If there is a conviction, we litigate strikes, enhancements, and PC 290 placement.
Top 5 Chatsworth, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer Qualitities
- Experience with your case type
- Readiness to help right away, no matter what stage your case is at
- Honest assessment of registration risk, not just "jail vs. no jail"
- Availability and a single point of contact
- A feeling that you're being treated like a person, not a paycheck
Chatsworth, 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 |
Enhancements (great bodily injury, weapon use, multiple victims, age of the complaining witness, prior strikes) change these numbers. . 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
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 — 20 years for adults, but 10 years for some juveniles. Examples: many serious/violent registerable felonies that are not automatic lifetime.
- 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.
Life on the sex offender registry is difficult — the public is able to look up your information, and it can impact employment opportunities, and leave lasting impacts long after a prison sentence. Talk to a sex crimes attorney to get help once you're eligible for removal.
Defense Strategies Your Chatsworth, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyer May 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 — when you can show that you were not present when the alleged offense was committed, you can convince many people of your innocence
- Lack of evidence — ultimately, it's on the prosecution to prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If they fail to do so, we will highlight that
- Unlawful search of phones and cloud accounts
- Unreliable child forensic interviews
- Entrapment when the supposed offender did not have a predisposition towards the crime, and the government coerced them into it
Your Chatsworth, CA, sex crimes attorney can help you pick out the right defense strategy for your case. And if it goes to trial, they are prepared to argue it in front of a jury.
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) — Avoided Jail and Sex Offender Registration; Charges to be Dismissed. 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) — Facing 25 Years to Life, All Charges Dismissed Before Trial. 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. This also protected our client's reputation, as no records of the case are public.
- Kidnapping (PC § 207) and Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor (PC § 261.5) — We Protected Our Client Against Prison and Sex Offender Classification. By evaluating the evidence and presenting a narrative of 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. A conviction of these charges would have sent our client to prison for life, along with permanent sex offender registration. We examined the prosecution's evidence and were able to demonstrate to the court that the accusation was false, securing a dismissal.
While past cases can help inform you on a firm's abilities, they do not necessarily represent results for a future case. Your Chatsworth, CA, sex crimes lawyer can help you figure out the best approach to your case, and help you understand realistic outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sex Crime Charges in Chatsworth, CA
If I didn't do it, should I still contact a sex crimes lawyer?
Yes. A denial alone may not put relevant messages, witnesses or timeline evidence before investigators. Counsel can preserve records, review interview or search requests and identify the elements the state would have to prove. An innocent person may still be investigated or charged; representation cannot guarantee that prosecutors decline a filing. Do not ask an accuser or witness to change a statement, especially if a contact order applies.
Will a sex crime in Chatsworth, CA, affect immigration status?
It could, but the result depends on the precise conviction and the person's immigration history. Some convictions create serious immigration problems; neither deportation nor citizenship denial follows automatically from the broad label “sex crime.” Criminal and immigration counsel should review the proposed statutory disposition before a plea, including whether a different lawful outcome changes the analysis.
Can I get in trouble for sexting in California?
“Sexting” describes many different acts rather than one charge. Ages, content, whether an image was requested or created, how it was possessed or shared, and consent can point to different California or federal statutes. A text message, a file depicting a minor and a nonconsensually distributed adult intimate image raise different questions. Preserve the full exchange without forwarding potentially unlawful material and identify the actual statute before discussing a defense.
Are people convicted of stautory rape put on the sex offender registry?
For specified Penal Code § 261.5 convictions based on conduct committed on or after January 1, 2026, § 290 now requires a case-specific review. The statute includes an exception when the person was not more than ten years older than the minor and the conviction is that person's only registrable offense; § 290.006 also allows separate court-ordered registration. The offense date, subdivision, age evidence and entire record must be checked before a plea. Do not assume every § 261.5 allegation has the same registry result.
What are the rules for sex offenders in California?
Initial registration, changes of residence or other information, periodic updates and other circumstances can have different instructions. A tier label alone does not state every duty, and probation or parole terms may add separate conditions. Keep proof of compliance, check a move or travel plan against the current instructions and obtain advice before assuming a dismissal or minimum-period expiration ends registration.
Do You Need a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Chatsworth, CA? Call David Chesley
These charges can change your life. If you don't have the right attorney at your side, you could face consequences that last for decades. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley will help you evaluate your options and make the best choice to move forward.
If you need an experienced Chatsworth, CA, sex crimes lawyer, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is here for you. Call now at (800) 755-5174 or use our contact form to get started today.
Further questions about California sex-crime cases
Can someone ask to end sex-offender registration?
The adult tier system generally has ten-year, twenty-year and lifetime categories, with different juvenile-court rules. A person who meets an applicable minimum and other conditions may be eligible to petition for termination; time alone does not end the duty. The particular offense, other convictions, risk rules and court record matter. Keep following current registration instructions until an effective order changes them.
Must a registrant tell neighbors about registration?
Penal Code § 290 requires reporting to the designated law-enforcement agency, not a blanket personal announcement to neighbors. Public Megan's Law display is a separate question, and an individual court or supervision order could impose other conditions. Read the actual agency instructions and order before deciding what is required in a particular case.
How soon should I contact counsel after an accusation?
Prompt advice is useful before a substantive investigator interview and after receiving a citation, summons, search request or protective order. If no arrest has occurred, keep the investigator's agency and case number; an investigation is not the same as a filed charge, and counsel can help verify its status. Read the dates on the actual papers. Preserve unedited messages and other lawfully held records; outside video or platform material can become unavailable. There is no fixed “first 48 hours” rule that determines the outcome of every case.
Can charges be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes, after examination of the actual count, evidence, motions and lawful negotiation. A missing public report, disputed accusation or prior firm result cannot promise dismissal. A proposed reduction should be assessed for custody, registration and immigration consequences as well as its title. The court process and decision depend on the specific case.
Does every sex-crime conviction require registration or public Megan's Law display?
No. Penal Code § 290 specifies offenses and other conditions; adult and juvenile rules differ. Registration duty, tier length and public website display are separate questions. A misdemeanor label alone does not resolve them. Before any plea, compare the exact subdivision, date and proposed conviction with the statute and the applicable DOJ tier guidance.
Can a sex-related offense be filed as a misdemeanor?
Some provisions are misdemeanors, some felonies and some have distinct branches. Sexual battery under § 243.4 and unlawful sexual intercourse under § 261.5 illustrate why a broad charge label is insufficient. Check the filed subdivision, facts and prior-conviction rules. The charging level does not by itself answer registration or licensing questions.
What if the other person was over 18 and said they consented?
Consent can matter in an adult-contact case, but the law asks whether the person could consent and whether consent applied to the alleged act at the relevant time. A prior relationship or isolated message is not conclusive. Preserve the full sequence and ask counsel to compare capacity, force or fear allegations, and the precise charged elements.
Can a case proceed without physical evidence?
Yes. Testimony, communications and circumstantial evidence may be considered, and the state still must prove the charged elements. No DNA or medical result automatically defeats a count; the presence of one does not establish every element either. Ask what proof exists, what it actually shows and which independent records might test it.
Can police search my phone?
A warrant, valid consent or another lawful basis may be relevant, and scope matters. If a device or account has been searched, retain the warrant, property receipt and account notice for counsel. Do not delete or reset material. A possible search issue requires record review and, if supported, a court ruling; suppression is not automatic.
What if I believe an accusation of rape or sexual assault is false?
Take the claim seriously and preserve the complete timeline, messages, witness information and any lawful physical or digital record. Even before filing, an allegation can affect work, family and reputation; those effects do not prove guilt or predict a filing. Counsel can compare earlier and later statements and investigate possible mistake or fabrication. Avoid pressuring the accuser or witnesses and obey any contact order. Neither a denial nor an inconsistency alone guarantees that charges will be declined.
What happens after a charge is filed?
At arraignment, the court ordinarily advises the defendant of the charge and rights and asks for a plea. Discovery, motions, negotiations and, in a felony case, a preliminary hearing may follow. The path differs by charge and court. Use the latest court notice for appearances and comply with any release or protective order while counsel reviews the file.
Could a conviction affect work or a professional license?
It can, but the answer depends on the precise conviction, job and governing licensing rule. California's Fair Chance Act limits some employer uses of criminal history and has exceptions. Licensing boards apply their own statutes. A dismissal or acquittal may be important, but neither guarantees a particular employer or board decision. Check the relevant rule before a plea or job-related disclosure.
