Felony charges of any kind can turn your life upside down, but rape allegations can cause irreparable damage to your reputation. Unfortunately, the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” seldom applies to cases involving rape or sexual assault; as soon as an accuser makes an allegation against you, your family members, friends, and the community begin to see you differently. If you are facing rape charges in Los Angeles County, you need to take several key steps to defend your future and your good name. Here’s how.
Understand the Consequences of the Rape Charges
Like most states, California takes a hard stance on rape and sexual assault crimes. Section 261 of the California penal code, forcible rape is defined as “an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person not the spouse of the perpetrator” and under any number of specific circumstances. For instance, prosecutors can bring rape charges against you if the victim was incapable of giving consent due to a disability or if the victim was unconscious at the time of the act. Rape is considered a felony offense in California, punishable by 3 to 8 years in state prison, and requires mandatory sex offender registration for life.
Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
When a person reports an alleged rape to the police, they will almost always direct the person to make a “pretext” phone call to the accused, in an effort to elicit some kind of admission or confession. Even if you know the allegations against you are false, do not speak with the party or with law enforcement until you’ve spoken to a trusted criminal defense lawyer. Merely admitting you know the person, were with the person, or have knowledge of any fact surrounding the allegations can be used against you. Law enforcement officers may claim to be “on your side,” but this claim is merely a tactic to get you to confess your guilt. While it may feel tempting to tell your side of the story just to clear things up, anything you say could be twisted and used against you later on. Instead, say nothing until you’ve had the chance to discuss the situation with your attorney.
Contact a Los Angeles County Criminal Defense Attorney Right Away
Facing felony rape charges can be devastating, but you should know that you don’t have to go through this stressful time alone. Working with a trusted criminal defense attorney can give you the support and strength you need as you fight for your future and your freedom. The sooner you reach out to your attorney, the more prepared you’ll be to navigate the criminal justice system in the weeks and months ahead. Together, you’ll develop a sound legal defense strategy to help you obtain the best possible outcome given the specifics of the case.
If you need help defending yourself against felony rape charges in Los Angeles County, call Wegman & Levin today at (818) 980-4000 to schedule a free consultation with an aggressive and effective criminal defense lawyer.
