Ventura Sex Crimes Lawyer

Defending Against Sex Crime Charges in Ventura County

Sex crimes are some of the most serious charges an individual can face in California, and a conviction can result in severe and long-lasting consequences that can include hefty fines, jail time, and the stigma of being a registered sex offender. A skilled sex crimes lawyer in Ventura, such as Scott Bentley, can provide the legal support and expertise you need that is necessary to protect your rights and defend your case. He can help navigate the complex legal system and work to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Have you been accused of a sex crime? Call Bentley Law today at (805) 210-8555 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our sex crimes attorney in Ventura.

Types of Sex Crimes in California

A sex crime is a criminal offense that involves sexual activity without the given consent of one or more of the parties involved, or that involves sexual activity with another person who is unable to give consent based on age, disability, or other factors. Sex crimes in California are defined by the California Penal Code and can include a wide scope of offenses, that includes the following:

• Rape
• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Battery
• Lewd Acts with a Minor
• Child Molestation
• Indecent Exposure
• Revenge Porn

California Sex Offender Levels

As of January 2021, California has replaced it's law which requires convicted sex offenders to register for life. With the introduction of SB 384 there will now be 3 tiers of sex offenders that will determine the severity of their offense & the length of their registry requirements.

The new tiers are as follows:

• Tier 1 - Includes the least severe offenses, such as misdemeanor sex crimes; offenders can petition to be removed from the registry after 10 years.
• Tier 2 - Includes increased offenses such as sexual acts with minors; offenders can petition to be removed from the registry after 20 years.
• Tier 3 - Includes extremely severe offenses such as human trafficking; offenders will be required to register for life.

Part of what makes sex crime cases difficult to handle is the sensitive nature of the cases. These crimes do occur, and no one wants to trivialize them. At the same time, however, there are some people who will try to twist the facts to their advantage to hurt another person. At Bentley Law, we strive to get to the truth of the matter and ensure that our clients have an opportunity to tell their side of the story.

Defense Against Sex Crime Charges

As a defendant in a criminal case, your goal is not to prove innocence but to establish reasonable doubt that you could have committed the crime(s) you are charged with. If someone is lying about the details of the alleged crime, then finding inconsistencies in their story is critical to your defense.

Some possible defenses for a sex crime charge include the following:

• Mistaken identity
• False accusations
• Inconsistent witness testimony
• Lack of evidence
• Bias from police or prosecution
• Faulty forensic testing

Contact Our Sex Crimes Attorney in Ventura Today

Your life can change as soon as you are arrested for a sex crime. People in your life may be unsure of what to think or how to treat you, which can make an already difficult situation even more stressful. Focusing too much on what is happening now will not help your case. If you’ve been charged with a crime, you should now be concerned with building your defense.

Our sex crimes lawyer in Ventura is here to help you stay on track and plan for the future. We want to hear your side of the story and protect your rights however we can.

Contact Bentley Law today to get started on your defense with our Ventura sex crimes lawyer.