Long Beach Sex Crimes Attorney

Facing charges of sexual offenses or lewd conduct crimes in Long Beach, California, can be harrowing, to say the least.

Local law enforcement in Long Beach takes these types of allegations very seriously, and Long Beach prosecutors tend to pursue the maximum penalties allowed by law.

Long Beach Police Department

Conviction for these offenses can result in harsh penalties, including substantial jail time, hefty fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. This designation can impact nearly every aspect of your life.

Whether the alleged offense occurs at Alamitos Beach, downtown Long Beach, or Belmont Heights, if you are accused of such a crime, hiring an experienced Long Beach criminal defense attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case and the consequences you could face.

Our sex crimes attorneys specialize in defending individuals accused of sexual offenses. We provide legal counsel, investigate cases, and represent clients in court, aiming to achieve the best possible outcome, such as dismissal of charges, reduced penalties, or acquittal.

Sex crimes encompass a broad category of offenses in California--some being misdemeanors and some being felonies, but all are considered serious. Some of the most frequently prosecuted cases in Long Beach are discussed below.

Indecent Exposure (PC 314)

California Penal Code 314, the indecent exposure law, criminalizes the willful exposure of one's genitals in public for the purpose of offending or to satisfy sexual desires. For a first offense, it is usually charged as a misdemeanor. Still, aggravated forms, such as exposing oneself to a minor or having prior convictions, may elevate this to a felony.

PC 314 says, "Every person who willfully and lewdly, either:

Exposes his person, or the private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where there are present other persons to be offended or annoyed thereby; or,
Procures, counsels, or assists any person so to expose himself or take part in any model artist exhibition, or to make any other exhibition of himself to public view, or the view of any number of persons, such as is offensive to decency, or is adapted to excite to vicious or lewd thoughts or acts, is guilty of a misdemeanor."

Annoying or Molesting a Child (PC 647.6)

This crime involves engaging in sexual conduct directed at a child under 18 with the intent to annoy or disturb them.

This offense does not necessarily require physical contact but rather focuses on sexually motivated behavior or communication. A first-time offense is typically a misdemeanor, but repeat violations may result in felony charges.

PC 647.6 says, "(2) Every person who, motivated by an unnatural or abnormal sexual interest in children, engages in conduct with an adult whom he or she believes to be a child under 18 years of age, which conduct, if directed toward a child under 18 years of age, would be a violation of this section, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment."

Sexual Battery (PC 243.4)

Sexual battery involves sexual touching of another person's body without their consent for purposes of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.

Depending on whether force, restraint, or the victim's incapacitation was involved, this crime may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony.

PC 243.4 says, "(a) Any person who touches an intimate part of another person while that person is unlawfully restrained by the accused or an accomplice, and if the touching is against the will of the person touched and is for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of sexual battery. A violation of this subdivision is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, and by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000); or by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, and by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000)."

Lewd Conduct in Public (PC 647(a))

PC 647(a) criminalizes sexual acts conducted in public view, such as masturbating or engaging in explicit physical behavior in parks or restrooms. While often charged as a misdemeanor, convictions can still lead to significant repercussions.

PC 647 says, "Except as provided in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) and in subdivisions (k) and (l), every person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor:

(a) An individual who solicits anyone to engage in or who engages in lewd or dissolute conduct in a public place or a place open to the public or exposed to public view."

Possession or Distribution of Child Porn (PC 311.11)

This crime involves knowingly having or distributing explicit images or videos of minors. Law enforcement in Long Beach aggressively investigates such cases, often through online monitoring.

Child porn possession alone is an offense, but creating or distributing such materials carries even harsher penalties.

PC 311.11 says, "(a) (1) Every person who knowingly possesses or controls any matter, representation of information, data, or image, including, but not limited to, any film, filmstrip, photograph, negative, slide, photocopy, videotape, video laser disc, computer hardware, computer software, computer floppy disc, data storage media, CD-ROM, or computer-generated equipment or any other computer-generated image that contains or incorporates in any manner, any film, filmstrip, or any digitally altered or artificial-intelligence-generated matter, the production of which involves the use of a person under 18 years of age, knowing that the matter depicts a person under 18 years of age personally engaging in or simulating sexual conduct, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 311.4, is guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison, or a county jail for up to one year, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or by both the fine and imprisonment."

Other Common Sex Crimes in Long Beach

There are other common types of sex-related crimes in the City of Long Beach, CA, including the following:

PC 236.1 Human Trafficking
PC 261 Rape
PC 261.5 Statutory Rape
PC 266h Pimping
PC 266i Pandering
PC 266j Transport Minor
PC 290 Failure to Register
PC 647(b) Prostitution
PC 647(j) Revenge Porn
PC 286 Sodomy
PC 288 Lewd Acts with a Minor
PC 288.3 Contact a Minor
PC 288.4 Arrange Meeting
PC 288.5 Continuous Sex Abuse
PC 289 Foreign Object Penetration

Enforcement for Sex and Lewd Conduct Crimes

Sex crime enforcement in Long Beach is handled by local and county law enforcement agencies, including the Long Beach Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Long Beach Courthouse

Officers often patrol high-traffic areas such as Downtown Long Beach or Belmont Shore, or around local schools, looking for suspicious behavior.

Undercover sting operations targeting child predators or individuals soliciting prostitution are also common. Prosecutions, however, take place in California state courts, such as the Long Beach Superior Court.

The Long Beach criminal court is located at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, 275 Magnolia, Long Beach, CA 90802.

This courthouse handles misdemeanor and felony cases in the area surrounding Long Beach, including Carson, Gardena, Maywood, and Lakewood.

Police Departments in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles Police Department
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Long Beach Police Department
Glendale Police Department
Pasadena Police Department
Beverly Hills Police Department
Burbank Police Department
Culver City Police Department
San Marino Police Department
Torrance Police Department

Potential Penalties for Long Beach Sex Offenses

The penalties for sex crimes in Long Beach vary depending on the nature of the offense, the defendant's criminal history, and whether aggravating circumstances are present. Here is a summary of possible penalties:

Imprisonment: Both misdemeanor and felony convictions can result in jail or prison time. Minor offenses like public lewdness may carry a few months in jail, whereas convictions for sexual battery or child molestation can lead to several years in state prison.
Fines: Convicted individuals may face fines ranging from a few hundred dollars for misdemeanors to thousands for felonies.
Sex Offender Registration: Many sex crimes require offenders to register as sex offenders in Long Beach for 10 years, 20 years, or for life. This registration is public and severely restricts housing and employment opportunities.

Defending Against Sex Crimes in Long Beach

Being accused of a sex crime is overwhelming, but remember that charges do not equate to guilt. With the right legal defense, it's possible to challenge the accusations against you. Defense strategies commonly used by criminal defense attorneys include:

Lack of Intent: For example, if charged under PC 647.6, it must be shown that the behavior was sexually motivated. Demonstrating that your actions were misinterpreted can be a strong defense.
Consent: If you are accused of sexual contact, proof of the other party's consent could be a key defense. This applies to crimes like sexual battery, where lack of consent is a critical element. (For sex crimes involving minors, consent is not a valid defense.)
False Allegations: Unfortunately, some accusations may arise out of spite, revenge, or misunderstanding. Demonstrating inconsistencies in the accuser's statements can cast doubt on their credibility.

Contact Eisner Gorin LLP for a confidential consultation and a clear plan to protect your freedom and future.

By appointment, the law firm may meet the client at 100 Oceangate, Suite 1200, Long Beach, CA 90802 for case preparation, strategy, and review.

Long Beach Sex Crimes