If you are accused of a lewd and lascivious act with a minor, you need to know that this is a very serious crime and you will most likely be aggressively prosecuted by the government. Lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, commonly referred to as “child molestation,” is a violent sex crime that is punishable under California Penal Code Section 667.5(c).
In order to ensure your legal rights are well protected and that you are afforded the best defense possible, you should consult an experienced Los Angeles lewd conduct attorney. With a skilled attorney on your side, you have a better chance of overcoming this challenge.
Things To Know
If you are accused of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, there are things you need to know, such as:
- Never offer information. It is important that you never volunteer any information to law enforcement officers who may be investigating the alleged crime against you. Police officers are trained to encourage individuals involved or potentially involved in the crime to divulge damaging information.
- Request to talk to an attorney. Under the United States Constitution, you have the right to remain silent and request an attorney to be present during any questioning. Once you invoke your Miranda Warning rights, the law enforcement agent must stop the interrogation.
- Gather any contact information from supporting witnesses. Charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor are often a “he-said-she-said” situation. In most cases, testimony of the alleged victim may be unreliable given the age of the child. As such, the more evidence you have, the easier it may be to exonerate you.
- Prepare a defense fund. Defending such serious criminal allegations can get expensive. You will need to pay for a criminal attorney, expert witness testimony fees, trial expenses and fines.
- Immediately hire an experienced attorney. Perhaps the most important advice may be to hire an experienced Los Angeles lewd and lascivious conduct attorney to handle your claim.
Call an Experienced Los Angeles Lewd & Lascivious Conduct Attorney
A lewd and lascivious conduct charge can have serious penalties that may negatively impact all aspects of your life. Hiring an experienced Los Angeles lewd and lascivious conduct lawyer may mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal of the charges. In other words, your lawyer may effectively argue a defense on your behalf that will ensure your freedom.
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with criminal defense attorney Simon Aval, please call us at (800) 209-9808 or complete our online form. Mr. Aval is a Certified Specialist in criminal law by the state bar of California.