Tustin Child Molestation Defense Attorney
What Is Child Molestation?
Child molestation is a broad term used to cover several different crimes involving unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Although many believe that you must have had sexual contact with a child in order to be guilty of child molestation, this is not the case. Even if you never touched the child, inappropriate conduct can still be deemed child molestation. If you are accused of this crime, you need an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible to avoid serious repercussions.
Some common child molestation crimes that our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have successfully defended against include:
- Statutory rape (PC Section 261.5)
- Oral copulation with a minor (PC Section 287)
- Lewd and lascivious acts on a minor (PC Section 288)
- Contacting a minor with intent to commit felonies (PC Section 288.3)
- Soliciting a minor for lewd purposes (PC Section 288.4)
- Continuous sexual abuse of a minor (PC Section 288.5)
- Sex with a child 10 years or younger (PC Section 288.7)
- Annoying or molesting a child (PC Section 647.6)
Tustin Child Molestation Penalties
Sex crimes against children are taken very seriously, so you may be facing serious legal penalties if you are convicted. Depending on the circumstances of your case, child molestation crimes can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Below, we’ve outlined the possible penalties you may face for different child molestation offenses.
Misdemeanor Penalties
- For misdemeanors such as annoying or molesting a child, you may be facing up to 1 year in county jail.
- For misdemeanors like annoying or molesting a child, there is a maximum fine of $5,000.
- Probation
- Sex offender registration
Felony Penalties
- For felonies such as felony molestation of a child, you may be facing up to 3 years in state prison or 6 years if you have a prior conviction.
- For felony molestation of a child, there is a maximum fine of $5,000.
- Sex offender registration
- Ban on firearm possession
Personal and Professional Consequences
Even if you are not convicted, the mere allegation that you committed a crime involving child molestation could ruin your relationships, reputation, and quality of life. It may be especially challenging to maintain your marriage or friendships after an accusation due to the social stigma associated with sex crimes with minors. Further, if you are found guilty, your required sex offender registration may affect your future dating and work prospects. In the event that you believe you may be the subject of a false child molestation accusation, you should speak with an expert defense attorney immediately to preserve your livelihood.
Defenses for Child Molestation
Being falsely accused of child molestation in Tustin may make you feel hopeless and overwhelmed. With over 40 years of experience, our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich are ready to help. We have helped many clients successfully defend against child molestation charges by effectively using the defense strategies below.
No Sexual Contact
Sexual contact is a necessary component of many child molestation crimes. You can be found not guilty if the prosecution is unable to establish that you had made sexual contact with the alleged victim. For instance, if you were accused of child molestation, a simple embrace or pat on the back without any sexual intent would not be enough to convict you. Your attorney will argue this defense to support your side of the story.
Insufficient Evidence
The prosecution must establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in order to secure a conviction. In the situation above, if you have been accused of child molestation but the alleged victim did not inform anyone else and there is no other evidence, your attorney can argue that there is not enough proof. The prosecution will not be able to meet the standard of proof required to charge you because this crime did not actually take place. As a result, your case will probably be dismissed.
Entrapment
Entrapment occurs when a police officer coerces or persuades a defendant to commit a crime in their presence. This is particularly prevalent in sex crimes. For example, if an undercover police officer posing as a minor contacts you repeatedly to meet, you may be able to use entrapment as a defense. However, keep in mind that merely offering someone the chance to take part in criminal behavior does not constitute entrapment.
False Accusation
False allegations happen more often than you may imagine. During a custody dispute or divorce, for example, these accusations could be brought against you out of malice. If the alleged victim did not get a good look at the culprit, it may also just be a case of mistaken identity. If that’s the case, our attorneys will investigate your case’s circumstances and look for proof that the alleged occurrence didn’t actually take place. Our team will strive to establish your innocence.
Hiring a Tustin Defense Attorney | How We Can Help You
When you are facing serious criminal charges in Tustin, you need a skilled attorney with a history of success in the courtroom. At Wallin & Klarich, we believe in four key aspects that set us apart from other firms:
- Experience
- Communication
- Success
- Credibility
40+ Years of Experience Defending Child Molestation Charges
With over 40 years of experience and offices throughout Southern California, our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich know the best strategies to use in the courtroom based on the specific details of each case. Our lawyers know how to use the most successful defense methods in even the toughest situations, often getting cases completely dismissed so that our clients have total relief. We are also familiar with the Southern California courts, having offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, Torrance, West Covina, Los Angeles, and San Diego. This allows us the additional advantage of knowing local prosecutors and judges. You, as our client, will undoubtedly benefit from our resources and knowledge.
24/7 Communication with Your Attorney
We believe that communication and transparency are the foundation of success here at Wallin & Klarich. We guarantee that we will always be open and honest in our communications, and we are never more than a phone call or email away. We want to keep you updated on the details of your case and take time to listen to and address your concerns. With 24/7 open lines of communication, our attorneys are always here when you need us.
Track Record of Success
Our staff has a proven track record of success with thousands of clients spanning over 40 years. Because of the stigma of child molestation charges and the potential for serious repercussions, you need a qualified and experienced defense attorney to help you achieve redress. We want you to be just as confident in our abilities, so we invite you to look at some of our clients’ success stories and big wins in the courtroom.
Reputation and Credibility
It can be challenging to choose the right law firm to defend you. Because our clients know we are committed to them, Wallin & Klarich has been a well-respected firm in the Southern California community for many years. Our team will continue to serve our community with integrity and excellence, and we hope that you will give us the chance to defend you as well.
Discover how our skilled negotiators can help you fight a child molestation charge. Contact us today, toll-free at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free consultation with a skilled defense attorney.