You need a sex crimes lawyer in Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, 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.
Don't give up before speaking to one of our attorneys. Call (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to talk to a sex crimes lawyer in Lancaster, CA.
President David S. Chesley, Lancaster, CA, criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Lancaster, CA
Sex crime charges are serious. A conviction can lead to:
- Months or even years behind bars
- Registration as a sex offender
- Frequently, notifications to the public regarding your conviction
- The potential loss of child custody
- Electronic monitoring
Don't wait while the prosecution builds a case against you. Call your Lancaster, CA, sex crimes lawyer and start building your defense now.
How to Handle Lancaster, CA, Sex Crime Accusations
- Do not contact the accuser — Any contact, for whatever reason, is not a good idea. Doing so often just looks like intimidating the alleged victim.
- When interviewed, don't answer questions. Only provide answers after consulting with your Lancaster, CA, sex crimes lawyer
- Don't share your phone or let investigators access your property if investigators don't have a warrant and without counsel.
- Save any evidence. Trying to delete or hide evidence can end up making you look more guilty.
- Talk about your case with your sex crimes lawyer in Lancaster, CA: Without a full picture, they won't be able to build a complete defense.
- Follow every release condition exactly (stay-away orders, no-contact, travel, devices).
- Get help handling the pressure — handling criminal charges is stressful, and it's normal to need some professional help.
On your own, it can be a lot to handle. But with a leading Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, CA
Rape and Sexual Assault
Rape is charged under Penal Code § 261. In Lancaster, 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, California has separate laws for rape between spouses versus general rape. However, this was repealed and does not apply today.
"Sexual assault" is not one statute — it often means rape, sexual battery (PC § 243.4), nonconsensual oral copulation (PC § 287), nonconsensual sodomy (PC § 286), or nonconsensual penetration with a foreign object (PC § 289).
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.
Internet 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 the digital evidence in these cases — how an image was generated, by whom, and what platform it moved through — is often the center of the defense.
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 Lancaster, 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.
Lewd Conduct in Public
Lewd conduct in public under Penal Code section 647(a) requires more than conduct someone considers inappropriate. For the completed offense, prosecutors must prove intentional touching of specified intimate areas for sexual arousal or gratification, or to annoy or offend, in a public place or a place open to public view. Another person who might be offended must be present, and the accused must know or reasonably should know that person is present. Intent, the location, and what witnesses could observe therefore matter to the defense.
It may be easy to confuse lewd conduct in public with indecent exposure, but these are separate offenses in Lancaster, CA.
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
Step-by-Step Guidance From an Experienced Lancaster, CA, Sex Crimes Attorney
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. The right motions can set your case up for success. In addition to motions we commonly file (like suppression and dismissal), in sex crime cases we often file a motion to suppress identification. Unfortunately, misidentification can occur more often than it should in criminal cases, and sex crimes are no exception.
Negotiation. Many criminal charges in Lancaster, 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.
Looking for a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Lancaster, 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
- A defense strategy that you can understand
- A positive reputation with former clients
- Confidence and honesty when planning your defense
Lancaster, 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 these numbers represent typical, general ranges, they can be altered by enhancing factors. Your case needs to be evaluated for its unique qualities. A rape conviction can also carry a separate PC § 264 restitution fine directed to victim assistance programs.
The Sex Offender Registry (PC 290)
If convicted, many sex crimes require you to register at one of the three below tiers:
- Tier 1 — normally a 10-year period on the registry. 5 years in some juvenile cases. Examples: most misdemeanor sex offenses fall into this tier, and some non-violent felony offenses.
- Tier 2 — 20 years for adults, but 10 years for some juveniles. Examples: repeated annoying of a child, some sodomy cases, and some rape cases.
- Tier 3 — lifetime for the most serious offenses (e.g., forcible rape, many child-victim force cases, many felony child pornography convictions) 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 Lancaster, CA, sex crimes lawyer should treat registry exposure as a charging and plea issue from day one, not an afterthought at sentencing.
Defenses Our Lancaster, CA, Sex Crimes Lawyers Use
- Consent (where the statute allows it — not for children below the age of consent)
- 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 (custody, immigration, breakup, school discipline)
- Identity / alibi
- Failure of the prosecution to prove the charges against you (intent, force, "lewd purpose," knowledge of age, possession vs. unsolicited file)
- Illegally acquired evidence
- Entrapment in cases like prostitution
- Statute of limitations or charging defects
When you have the right defense strategy and the right defense attorney on your side, you're maximizing your chances of a positive outcome.
Past 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 Before Trial. When our client was wrongly accused of participating in an assault, we presented a defense showing their lack of participation. 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. Through a defense built around consent, we negotiated a resolution giving the client credit for time served, avoiding a felony strike and 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 looked into the evidence, and found that the claims were false. At the preliminary hearing, the judge believed our story and dismissed the charges.
While past cases can help inform you on a firm's abilities, they do not necessarily represent results for a future case. Your Lancaster, 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 Accusations in Lancaster, CA
Do I need a lawyer if I am innocent?
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 Lancaster, 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.
Do I have to stay on the sex offender registry for life in Lancaster, CA?
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.
Does California's sex offender registry include statutory rape?
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 restrictions do sex offenders face in Califronia?
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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Is Ready to Defend Your Sex Crimes Case
Don't try to handle this yourself and end up digging a hole you can't get out of. With the right defense and the right lawyer presenting it, you'll maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to take your case. If you need a sex crimes lawyer in Lancaster, CA, call us right away at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to start building your defense.
Further questions about California sex-crime cases
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.
Is sexting illegal 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.
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.
