Orange County & Los Angeles
Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
Free, confidential phone consultations 24/7/365. Payment plans available.
The Short Answer
If you are accused of a sex offense in California, the two things that matter most are speed and silence: do not talk to detectives without counsel, and get a defense lawyer involved before charges are filed, when outcomes can still be shaped. Penalties range from misdemeanor jail time to state prison, but sex offender registration is usually the most life-altering consequence, and a central goal of a good defense is resolving the case to a charge that carries no registration at all.
No accusation does more damage faster than a sex offense allegation. People lose jobs, marriages, and reputations before any evidence is ever tested in court. If you are being investigated or have been charged in Orange County or Los Angeles, the time to get a defense lawyer involved is now, ideally before charges are filed.
Farris Law Firm defends these cases with total discretion. Every consultation is confidential, and we intentionally limit our caseload so your defense gets the attorney attention an accusation like this demands.
Sex Offense Charges We Defend
Sexual battery (PC 243.4)
Touching an intimate part of another person against their will. Chargeable as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the allegations.
Indecent exposure (PC 314)
A misdemeanor first offense, but one that carries sex offender registration, which is why these cases must be fought.
Lewd conduct in public (PC 647(a))
Often charged from undercover operations. Frequently defensible on entrapment and identification grounds.
Rape and sexual assault (PC 261)
The most serious allegations, carrying prison exposure and lifetime registration. These cases demand full investigation and expert work.
Lewd acts with a minor (PC 288)
Charges involving minors carry the harshest penalties and require immediate, careful defense work before you speak to anyone.
Failure to register (PC 290(b))
We defend people accused of violating registration requirements and pursue relief from registration where the law allows.
What a Conviction Can Mean
Exact exposure depends on the charge, the alleged facts, and your record. The table summarizes common ranges; registration is often the most life-altering consequence.
| Charge | Level | Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual battery (misdemeanor) | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year county jail, fines, and possible 10 year (Tier 1) registration |
| Sexual battery (felony) | Felony | 2 to 4 years state prison and registration |
| Indecent exposure (first offense) | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months jail and Tier 1 registration |
| Rape (PC 261) | Felony | 3 to 8 years or more in prison and Tier 3 (lifetime) registration |
How These Cases Get Defended
Sex offense cases are rarely about forensic proof. They usually turn on credibility, context, and what the electronic record actually shows. Our defense work includes:
- False accusation and motive evidence: custody disputes, breakups, and money are recurring engines of untrue allegations, and we investigate them thoroughly
- Consent and reasonable belief defenses supported by messages, witnesses, and conduct after the alleged incident
- Text, social media, and location records that contradict the accusation timeline
- Attacking suggestive identification procedures and defective police interviews
- Pre-filing intervention with detectives and prosecutors to stop charges before they are filed
- Where appropriate, negotiating to non-registerable offenses so your future is not defined by a registry
Frequently Asked Questions
The police want my side of the story. Should I talk to them?
No, not without counsel. In sex crime investigations, the interview is often the whole case: detectives are trained to obtain admissions to corroborate an otherwise unprovable allegation, including through pretext phone calls from the accuser. Politely decline and call us first. We can communicate with detectives on your behalf without adding evidence against you.
Will I have to register as a sex offender?
Not necessarily. Registration depends on the specific conviction. California uses a three tier system: 10 years, 20 years, and lifetime. A central goal of our defense is resolving cases to charges that carry no registration at all, and for past convictions we pursue tier termination petitions where eligible.
What if the accuser wants to drop the charges?
The decision belongs to the prosecutor, not the accuser, so charges do not simply disappear when someone recants. However, a recanting or uncooperative complaining witness dramatically weakens the case, and we know how to use that reality in negotiations and at trial, lawfully and effectively.
I have not been charged yet, just contacted. Is it too early to hire a lawyer?
It is the best possible time. Pre-filing is when a defense lawyer has the most leverage: we can present exculpatory evidence to the detective or filing deputy and sometimes prevent the case from ever being filed. Once charges exist, the same result takes months and costs far more.
Charged or under investigation? Talk to a defense attorney tonight.
Free, confidential phone consultation any hour, any day. Payment plans available.