Most people have heard the terms “sex offender” and “sexual predator” used numerous times, often interchangeably. The reality, however, is that these two terms do not have the same legal meaning in the State of California. Whether you are an accused, a victim, or simply a concerned member of the “Sex Crimes in California: Sex Offender vs. Sexual Predator”
Domestic Violence in California: What Happens If a Victim Wants to Drop the Charges?
Many criminal offenses involved an alleged victim. Assault and battery, for example, involves the use of force or violence on another person. Sex crimes and domestic violence are other examples of criminal offenses that involve an alleged victim. When you are charged with a criminal offense in California the prosecutor “Domestic Violence in California: What Happens If a Victim Wants to Drop the Charges?”
What Is A Romeo and Juliet Law and Does California Have One?
As recently as the 1800s it was not unusual for people to get married long before they reached the end of their teenage years. These marriages frequently included a relatively young bride and a significantly older groom. Women also commonly became mothers before they reached their 16th birthday. Society largely “What Is A Romeo and Juliet Law and Does California Have One?”
Court Approves Sex Offender Assessment on 12 Year Old Conviction
Sentencing courts have been given the green light in federal criminal cases to modify the terms of supervised release to include a sexual offender assessment whenever a defendant has a prior sexual offense conviction, even if the conviction is twelve years old. In a case recently decided by the Ninth “Court Approves Sex Offender Assessment on 12 Year Old Conviction”
Child Pornography Distribution by File Sharing
It is a federal and state crime to knowingly possess child pornography. Substantial federal sentencing enhancements result from distributing a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct through interstate commerce. The visual depiction can be distributed by any means, including through the mail or by using a computer. The key element that “Child Pornography Distribution by File Sharing”
Indeterminate Commitment on Certain Sexually Violent Offenders
In California, the Sexually Violent Predators Act provides for the involuntary indeterminate civil commitment of certain sex offenders who are found to be sexually violent predators. A “SVP” is a person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense against one or more victims, and who has a diagnosed “Indeterminate Commitment on Certain Sexually Violent Offenders”
California Imposes Life Sentences for Specified Sex Crimes
In California, many people are familiar with the terms “three strikes” or “multiple strikes” convictions. Such terms refer to a California law that has dramatically increased punishment for individuals convicted of felony offenses who have previously been convicted of one or more serious or violent felonies. Persons with two or “California Imposes Life Sentences for Specified Sex Crimes”
California Has Increased Punishment for a Wide Range of Sex Offenses
Effective September 9, 2010, the former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law the Chelsea King Child Predator Prevention Act, otherwise known as “Chelsea’s Law,” which significantly increased punishment for various sex offenses. Under the new law, certain factors, such as the age range of the victim or the use of “California Has Increased Punishment for a Wide Range of Sex Offenses”
Sexual Assault Lab Kits Remain Untested for DNA
Over 6,000 rape kits from active investigations of sex crimes remain untested throughout the country. Experienced criminal defense lawyers know that innocent persons are prosecuted when police selectively test some evidence while ignoring other items of crucial evidentiary value.