Riverside County, California is known for its vibrant towns, beautiful landscape, and robust legal system. Unfortunately, the area is also home to a growing number of incidents involving lewd acts on a child. While these are serious criminal offenses that carry serious penalties, with the help of experienced criminal defense lawyers in Riverside County, you can protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.
If you or someone you love has been accused of committing a lewd act on a child under the age of 14 in Riverside County, California, it is important to understand the severity of the crime and to seek legal representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Lewd Acts Defined
Under California Penal Code 288, it is a felony for an adult to engage in any lewd or lascivious act with a child under the age of 14. Lewd acts are defined as those that involve touching a child with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of the perpetrator or the child. In addition to touching, the crime may also include displaying lewd or pornographic material to a child, or encouraging the child to participate in sexual activities.
Consequences
The consequences of a conviction for lewd acts with a child under 14 are serious and can include a sentence of three, six, or eight years in prison, as well as a “strike” under California’s three-strikes law. You may also be required to register as a sex offender for life. In addition, a conviction can also have serious repercussions in other areas of life, such as the loss of employment and the inability to obtain housing or educational loans.
If you or someone you love has been accused of a lewd act on a child under the age of 14, you need a top-notch criminal defense attorney by your side. The right criminal defense attorney can make all the difference. Your attorney will help you to understand the charges, advise you of your legal rights and options, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your specific case. They’ll also be able to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce your charges or seek a more lenient sentence. Your attorney can help you to present the best possible defense in an effort to minimize the consequences of a conviction.
At the Law Office of Nic Cocis, we understand that this is a difficult and trying time for you and your family. We are zealously committed to defending your rights and potential freedom, and we are dedicated to providing professional, ethical, and knowledgeable legal counsel. If you've been accused of lewd acts on a child in cities of Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Winchester or Hemet, contact us today to discuss the details of your case and to begin building your defense. We can help!