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Greater Los Angeles Lewd Acts with a Child Defense Lawyers

Few things in life are worse than being accused of a crime. Registering as a sex offender is one of them. If you or your family member are under investigation for lewd acts with a minor, it can be a frightening experience. Unfortunately, accusations alone can have lifelong consequences. Don’t gamble with your freedom.

Waiting to hire an attorney puts your future at risk. We need to begin right away so we can start preserving evidence and get ahead of the prosecution team trying to put you behind bars. Bad things can happen to good people, and we want to provide the help you are looking for.

Get Ahead of the Prosecution

Give yourself every fighting chance by hiring a sex crimes lawyer to devise a case strategy that works in your favor.

Prosecutors Must Prove Their Case Against You

Penal Code 288 makes it illegal for anyone to knowingly and willfully commit lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 with the intent to gratify yourself or the child sexually.

Sex charges are often difficult to fight as they usually take place behind closed doors, without witnesses or evidence aside from the allegations themselves.  Claims are often false, invented for revenge or in an effort to gain an advantage in family court proceedings. When you work with us, we will examine the evidence in your case and explore all defenses available.

For prosecutors to convict you of this crime, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

  1. You acted intentionally
  2. The act was offensive
  3. Your intent was for sexual gratification

Instead of letting the prosecution mount a one-sided case, hire a sex crimes lawyer to help you successfully defend the charges. Amicus Legal Group is ready to defend the case while working toward a dismissal or reduced charges and/or penalties. Our team is always in your corner.

You can also send us a private and secure message here.

Circumstances Can Lead to More Severe Penalties

If you are accused and convicted of using force or violence during the alleged lewd act, the consequences are even more severe. Convictions of crimes with children involving force are taken seriously with imprisonment, fines up to $10,000, and sex registration being very real possibilities. 

Maximum sentences for various sex charges include:

  • Up to 8 years state prison

    Lewd acts with child (PC 288)

  • 7 years to life

    Lewd acts with child, plus injury (PC 288a)

  • Up to 10 years in state prison

    Lewd act with child, repeated with force (PC 288(b)(1))

  • Up to 4 years in state prison

    Arrange to meet minor for lewd act (PC 288.4(b))

  • Up to 16 years in state prison

    Continuous sexual abuse (PC 288.5):

  • 25 years to life

    Intercourse/sodomy with child (PC 288.7(a))

  • 15 years to life

    Oral copulation with child (PC 288.7(b))

Additional Consequences to Consider

Larger numbers of cases are being prosecuted due to pressure from advocacy groups and the revenue that convictions generate. While most of the consequences of a conviction are well known (court fines, probation, jail time), consider how a domestic violence conviction could impact your life:

Employment

Could a conviction affect your job or future employment opportunities?

Reputation

How will friends and family react to a potential conviction for such accusations?

Family Relationships

What might happen in family court proceedings?

Your Health

Could you manage a lengthy jail or prison sentence?

Don't gamble with your future

No one ever wants to appear on the sex offender registry. Give yourself every fighting chance by hiring a sex crimes lawyer to devise a case strategy that works in your favor.

If you are charged for lewd acts with a minor, you may want to discuss your case with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer who carries a fierce reputation. Waiting to hire an attorney puts your future at risk. We need to begin right away so we can start preserving evidence and get ahead of the prosecution team trying to put you behind bars.

Registering as a Sex Offender in California

If convicted of lewd acts with a minor, you will have to register as a sex offender. Depending upon the severity of the circumstances, you will have to register as a sex offender for 10 to 20 years, or perhaps the remainder of your life. It will appear on a public registry, with your picture, address, and the offense for which you are guilty. Not only does this create a severe stigma, but it also makes it challenging to find a good job, make friends, or to go to college.

Statutory Deadlines for Charges

There is a statute of limitations by which prosecutors have to file criminal charges against you. They must file misdemeanor charges within one year of the alleged act. For felonies, the deadline extends to the accuser's 28th birthday. If the government delays in bringing charges against you, we can fight to get the case dismissed for violating your speedy trial rights under the law.

Amicus Legal Group Can Help

Our criminal defense team is here to help you and your family through this difficult time. For a more in-depth talk about your rights and options, contact Amicus Legal Group at (888) 588-1777 to schedule a free consultation.

You can also send us a private and secure message here.

Client testimonials quote

Client Testimonials

Five Star California Law Firm
Attorney John Paul-Serrao helped us to win our case against the insurance company after we were involved in a traffic accident where our car was rear ended, we tried to handle it ourselves with the insurance company and they did not want to cooperate with us, so we hired Mr. Serrao and he was able to get us a settlement above with the insurance company was willing to pay. I would highly recommend him.
Lupe G.

I had the pleasure of working a very large scale drug case with Mr. Serrao, representing co-defendants. Mr. Serrao was a pleasure to work with. Highly skilled and very aggressive in his advocacy on his client’s behalf. I highly recommend Mr. Serrao for anyone looking for a criminal defense attorney.

Babak Farahan

John-Paul is well known in our community as a smart and effective criminal defense lawyer who is sensitive to his clients’ situations and responsive to their needs. I refer my clients to him with confidence when they need help with the criminal justice system.

Lawrence Brock

John-Paul is an extremely effective criminal defense attorney. The one thing that makes him stand out from other defense attorneys is that he talks to his clients to learn the circumstances surrounding their incident and then he makes a forceful and articulate argument in defense of his clients. I recommend my clients to John-Paul when they are in need of a criminal defense attorney because I know he will stand up for them.

Stephen Rinka

John-Paul is a superb attorney. He was my mentor when I was in law school, and now as an attorney I still go to him for advice on complex cases. When my brother required representation I referred him to John-Paul. That is how highly I think of JP as an attorney. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs representation.

Kit Westbrook

Occasionally you meet another attorney who is so impressive both personally and professionally that you want to be affiliated with them in any way you can both personally and professionally. That is how I feel about John-Paul. I not only consider him one of the finest attorneys I know, but I now proudly call him my friend. He is among the very best.

David Booth

Mr. Serrao worked on my DUI charge earlier this year and all I can say is WOW! Not only did he keep me updated with the case but his knowledge of the process helped calm my nerves, which was very important to me. He showed care for me as a client and I can’t thank him enough. I would recommend him to anyone in need of a quality criminal defense attorney.

Derrick J.

John-Paul took my civil case when no one else would because other lawyers didn’t have confidence in my daughter who has special needs to testify, if needed. John-Paul won her case against the school district without a jury because he cared about my child, believed she was honest and deserved justice. He still doesn’t mind taking my calls whenever I have a question regarding her case.

Dionne L.
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