Punishment For Rape in Orange County – PC 261
If you are facing charges of rape in Orange County, you face the very real possibility of being required to register as a sex offender under California Penal Code section 290. To avoid this devastating consequence, it is important that you hire an experienced Orange County Rape Defense Attorney.
Sex Offender Registration for Rape in Orange County
Penal Code section 290 includes rape on the list of offenses that require registration. This means that if you are convicted of rape in Orange County, you must register with local law enforcement as a sex offender. This duty requires you to annually update your registration with a local law enforcement agency for as long as you work, live, or attend school in California. Registration is also required every time you change your name, address, or your employment.
In addition, personal information such as your name, address, and photograph are released to the public via a sex offender website run by the Department of Justice. This website makes you vulnerable to harassment and will make it difficult for you to find a place to live and work. You may be able to seek exclusion from Internet disclosure if your crime qualifies for exclusion.
Punishment for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Failure to register as a sex offender for rape in Orange County is a crime. Since rape is a felony offense, failure to register as a sex offender following a rape conviction is a felony punishable by up to three years in state prison.
Eliminating Sex Offender Registration Requirement
Although the obligation to register as a sex offender lasts a lifetime, there are ways to avoid this lifetime requirement. A person required to register under PC 290 may be relieved of his or her duties to register as a sex offender upon obtaining a Certificate of Rehabilitation or a Governor’s pardon. (See California Penal Code Section 290.5) This option, however, is only available in certain cases. Contact a Wallin & Klarich Rape Defense Attorney to help you determine if you may be relieved of your lifetime obligation to register as a sex offender.
Orange County Sex Crimes Attorney
The first and most critical step you must take is to contact an Orange County sex crimes Attorney who has experience in rape and sex offender registration cases. With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks, the attorneys at Wallin & Klarich, have over 40 years of experience in defending rape cases. We have been successful in defending our clients and keeping them off of the Sex Offender registry. If you have been convicted of rape, we can also assist you in relieving the lifetime duty to register as a sex offender.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will get through this together.