Item: Killedjian Law Corporation
Rating: 5
Author: Louie G.

Sex Crimes

Respected Criminal Defense Attorney Zealously Defending Clients Throughout Los Angeles County

Sex offenses are some of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in Southern California. From rape to lewd conduct to child pornography, all sex crimes are incredibly serious and require a thorough investigation and strategic defense. At the Killedjian Law Corporation, we stand at the side of individuals facing these serious charges, defending their freedom as well as their future. With more than 20 years of experience personally handling high stakes sex crimes cases, Attorney Melanie Killedjian has what it takes to defend against even the toughest cases.

Commonly Charged Sex Crimes in Los Angeles

While all sex offenses are incredibly serious, some carry far greater consequences than others. Thus, one of the first things many people want to know when after being arrested is what possible sentence they face, if convicted. Below is a list of some of the most common sex crimes as well as the possible sentences they carry.

Lewd Conduct (PC § 647) – A maximum base term of up to one year in county jail.
Child Pornography (PC § 311.11) – A maximum base term of up to five years in state prison.
Rape (PC § 261) – A maximum base term of up to eight years in state prison.
Sexual Assault (PC § a maximum base term of up to four years in state prison.

Of course, in certain situations, such as if the victim was a minor, the maximum sentence may be significantly higher. Additionally, the above sentences do not take into account the application of any California sentencing enhancements, such as those under the California Three Strikes Law or the various firearm enhancement statutes.

Sex Offender Registration Requirements in California

Those convicted of certain sex crimes in California are required to register under Penal Code § 290. California has a three-tiered sex offender registration system which determines how long you are subject to the registration requirement. Tier I offenses require 10 years of registration; Tier II offenses require 20 years of registration; and Tier III offenses require lifetime registration.

Those who are required to register as a sex offender under PC § 290 must check in with law enforcement annually, within five days of their birthdate. They must also register anytime they move residences. Those who are subject to the registration requirement but fail to register may face additional criminal charges.

Defenses to Sex Crimes

Like all other criminal offenses, there are many defenses to sex crimes. Some of the most common defenses include:

Consent – The fact that the alleged victim consented to the conduct giving rise to the charges is a defense in some sex crimes cases. However, consent is not a valid defense if the victim was a minor, disabled, or intoxicated.

Fabrication – Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for an alleged victim to falsely accuse someone of a sex crime. This is often the case where the defendant and victim know each other and have a tumultuous relationship.

Sufficiency of the Evidence – Like any other criminal offense, the prosecution must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. This requires the government plead and prove specific facts that, depending on the evidence, may be difficult to establish.

These are just a few of defenses to sex crimes; there are many others. An experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can help you determine which defenses are best suited for your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Case and Get Started Developing Your Defense Today

If you were recently arrested and charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles County, there couldn’t be more on the line. You deserve an attorney who will fight for you at every stage of the process, from arrest through trial. At the Killedjian Law Corporation, we take pride in providing each of our clients with individualized attention, working together to create the best defense possible. As an experienced negotiator, Attorney Killedjian is often successful in obtaining favorable plea agreements with prosecutors, but will never hesitate to take a case to trial if prosecutors aren’t willing to see a case for what it is. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Melanie Killedjian at the Killedjian Law Corporation, call (818) 986-0888 today. You can also connect with us through our online contact form.

★★★★★

I was referred to Melanie by a good friend of mine with whom she assisted in the past. This friend gave me nothing but glowing reviews of her and somehow, still managed to undersell how great Melanie is. From the day I made my first call to her, to the first time meeting her face to face (which was the very next day, so I'll add she's very accessible and prompt), until the very end she made it seemingly effortless on my part. She handled everything from beginning to end. Her professionalism was very assuring, and put my worries to rest. I went in her office feeling defeated and overwhelmed, fast forward to my final hearing and I left feeling victorious and overjoyed. Melanie, thank you for all your help! The services rendered and the peace of mind she gave me cannot be matched! Louie G.

I cannot say how grateful my family and I are to ms. Killedjian. The case she took on was very complex and multilayered. I fired two top lawyers before trusting Ms. Killedjian with my future. She remained confident and worked diligently for almost two years. She never changed or added to her fee. She worked with my immigration attorney to make sure I would not face immigration consequences. Ms. Killedjian law expertise and belief in her client got my case dismissed. We are so thankful to Ms. Killedjian and will forever remember how hard she fought for justice!! V.Y.

I just want to say that Melanie came HIGHLY recommended to me and she was the BEST decision I made for my criminal case. Melanie was so helpful, informative, straight forward, kind and always did everything she said she was going to do. She always responded to me contacting her and she always used the word "we" when communicating, as if "we" were in this thing together! I am so grateful for her professionalism and her approach. She was able to get my original severe charges dropped and i was given a minor charge because of how she presented the facts and evidence at hand. Shes amazing! So, if you're reading this and need not just a good attorney but a GREAT one, contact her! You will not regret it! Thank you Melanie for everything you did and continue to do! You're a life saver! Stacey S.

Melanie is amazing! She was able to help me with two felony charges in two different court systems simultaneously with results that far exceeded my expectations of what I thought was even possible. She refused to settle for anything less than the best possible outcome and has given me my complete freedom back. It honestly seems like she was able to work magic! There is no doubt that she knows what she is doing and knows how to get results. I was very selective in choosing a lawyer and she was definitely the right choice. She is kind, caring, compassionate, understanding, positive and supportive in every way. It has truly been a pleasure working with her and her delightful assistant, Elen. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of an exceptional defense attorney. Bradley S.

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