Rape Charges
Beverly Hills Sex Crime Attorney
According to City-data.com, there were 828 rapes in Los Angeles in 2011 or 21.6 per 100,000 residents. As of February 2013, there are 3,254 registered sex offenders living in Los Angeles. According to Rainn (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network):
- Every two minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted
- 44% of rape victims are under the age of 18
- Each year there are about 207,754 victims of sexual assault
- Approximately two-thirds of assaults are committed by someone known to the victim
- More than 50% of all rape/sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred within one mile of their home or at their home
Rape is sexual intercourse that is against a person’s will or without their consent. Rape is usually accompanies by physical force and/or violence. If you had sex with an individual with a mental or physical disability, who was intoxicated or drugged, who was unconscious or who felt tricked or threatened into the act, it is likely you could be accused of committing rape.
There are many different kinds of rape related offenses: sexual assault, date rape, spousal rape, statutory rape, oral copulation by force and forcible penetration with a foreign object. You can also be charged with aiding and abetting a rape. These subjects are covered in Penal Code 262 PC, Penal Code 261.5 PC, Penal Code 266c PC, and Penal Code 289 PC.
Penalties You Could Face
If you are convicted of rape in the state of California, you could face anywhere from three to eight years in state prison. If the victim was a minor, the minimum sentence is seven years and the maximum is 13 years. If a victim sustained a great bodily injury, you could face a possible three to five years in state prison as well. You will also be forced to pay a maximum fine of $10,000, be registered as a sex offender and receive a strike on your record, in accordance with California’s Three Strikes Law.
It is not uncommon for false rape accusations to be given. At other times, an individual believed that the accuser had consented to intercourse. There are many defenses that could be available to you including:
- False accusations
- Consent
- Insufficient evidence
- Mistaken eyewitness identification
If you contact the Law Office of Peter Berlin, we can look over the details surrounding your case and determine which defense tactics would be best suited to you.
Why you need a criminal defense attorney on your side today!
Most sexual assaults are charged as felonies, although lesser offenses can be charged as misdemeanors. When you are facing such a serious criminal accusation, it is imperative that you get hard-hitting legal defense on your side immediately. A criminal defense attorney will be able to arrange for your bail, help you understand the penalties you face and your chances of obtaining a charge dismissal or reduction, can help interview witnesses and gather evidence in your favor, can negotiate with the prosecutor, can craft the best defense for you and in the event of a conviction, can seek alternative sentencing on your behalf.
Rape is a serious offense which is why it requires a serious defender to combat these charges. Why is Peter Berlin the right advocate for you? Mr. Berlin has over 15 years of experience handling a wide range of criminal cases. Attorney Berlin will be available around the clock to answer your questions and will dedicate a 100% of his energy, time, skills and resources to crafting the best defense possible. Attorney Berlin has a stellar record of success you can trust implicitly (to check out his Case Results page, click here). Call the Law Office of Peter Berlin today to secure the competent legal services you deserve on your side!