Child Molestation Lawyer in Ventura

Direct Attorney Access, Local Court Knowledge, Bilingual Defense

A child molestation accusation carries consequences that begin long before any verdict: damaged reputation, strained family relationships, and lost employment. If you or someone you care about is facing charges in Ventura County, time matters. Since 2011, Scott Bentley has been defending clients throughout Ventura County in California’s criminal courts. Clients at Bentley Law work directly with Scott Bentley, not a paralegal or rotating associate, and confidential consultations are available in both English and Spanish. Affordable representation isn’t a concession on quality; it’s a core commitment of this firm.

Facing child molestation charges in Ventura? Call Bentley Law now at (805) 210-8555 to speak directly with attorney Scott Bentley in a confidential consultation.

California Penal Code 288 & What the Charges Mean in Practice

California Penal Code 288 defines child molestation as any willful lewd or lascivious act committed upon the body of a child under 14, with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desires. A lewd and lascivious act can occur whether or not a sexual organ or bare skin is involved, and the statute covers a wide range of conduct that prosecutors pursue aggressively.

The penalties vary significantly depending on the age of the child, whether force or fear was involved, and the defendant’s prior criminal history:

• Lewd acts on a child under 14: Felony conviction carrying up to 8 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000
• Lewd acts on a child age 14 or 15 (wobbler): Misdemeanor carries up to 1 year in county jail; felony carries up to 3 years in state prison
• Lewd acts by force or fear: Felony carrying up to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000
• Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 (three or more acts with recurring access): Felony carrying 6, 12, or 16 years in state prison
• Sexual conduct with a child under 10: Punishable by 15 years to life in state prison for oral copulation or sexual penetration, or 25 years to life for sexual intercourse or sodomy, under California Penal Code 288.7

Beyond incarceration and fines, a conviction requires sex offender registration under California Penal Code 290. Under the tiered registration system established by Senate Bill 384, registration duration ranges from 10 years to life depending on the offense tier assigned to the conviction. A child molestation conviction may also count as a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law, which can dramatically increase sentencing in any subsequent felony case. Understanding exactly what charge you face and what the prosecution must prove is the starting point of any defense.

Why a Child Molestation Attorney in Ventura Matters from Day One

Ventura County prosecutors handle child molestation cases through units trained specifically for cases involving minors. These proceedings are aggressive from the outset, and the constitutional rights at stake extend from the moment of arrest through every phase of trial. An attorney can challenge the sufficiency of evidence, question witness credibility, and identify constitutional violations in how evidence was gathered or how an investigation was conducted.

One of the most important things to understand early: don’t make any statements to law enforcement, and don’t respond to pretext calls (recorded calls arranged by investigators to elicit admissions) without first speaking with an attorney. Anything said before representation is in place can be used to build the prosecution’s case.

Scott Bentley has firsthand familiarity with the Ventura Courthouse, the local judges who preside over criminal matters, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s office. Ventura County is widely recognized in California legal circles as having a notably stringent judicial environment. That local knowledge isn’t incidental. Understanding how a specific courthouse and its prosecutors approach these cases can shape how a defense is built and presented from the beginning.

What Sets Bentley Law Apart for Child Molestation Defense in Ventura

Choosing a child molestation lawyer in Ventura means evaluating more than credentials on paper. Here is what clients at Bentley Law receive:

• Direct Access to Scott Bentley: You work with the attorney who knows your case, not a staff member relaying information. Scott Bentley graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law and has been licensed in California since 2011, bringing over a decade of criminal defense experience to every case.
• Ventura County Bar Association Member: Bentley Law has been an active member of the Ventura County Bar Association since 2017, maintaining a sustained presence in the local legal community.
• Bilingual Representation: Scott Bentley is fluent in both English and Spanish, providing clear communication for Ventura’s diverse client base throughout every stage of the case.
• Cost-Effective Defense: Skilled criminal defense should be accessible. Bentley Law offers affordable representation without compromising the rigor of the defense strategy.
• Client Involvement: Clients are kept informed and active participants in their own defense. You’ll understand what is happening, why, and what comes next.
• Comprehensive Criminal Defense Practice: Beyond sex crimes defense, the firm handles expungements and restraining orders, offering legal support that can extend past the immediate proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Steps Should I Take If I Am Accused of Child Molestation?

Act promptly. Don’t make any statements to law enforcement without an attorney present. Collect any evidence or documentation that may support your defense, and keep a personal log of events and conversations related to the case. Avoid discussing the accusations on social media, as those statements can be used against you. Contact Bentley Law as soon as possible to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your defense options.

What Potential Penalties Am I Facing in Ventura?

Charges under California Penal Code 288 range from misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on the age of the child, whether force or fear was involved, and your prior criminal history. Penalties can include up to 8 years in state prison for lewd acts on a child under 14, up to 10 years if force was used, or 15 to 25 years to life for conduct involving a child under 10 depending on the specific acts alleged. Fines can reach $10,000, and sex offender registration is required upon conviction, with duration determined by the tier assigned under California’s tiered registration system. A conviction may also trigger a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law.

Why Choose Bentley Law?

You work directly with Scott Bentley throughout your case, not through intermediaries. The firm offers cost-effective representation, full bilingual service in English and Spanish, and firsthand familiarity with the Ventura County Superior Court, its judges, and the local prosecution environment. Clients are kept informed and involved throughout the process.

Speak Directly with a Ventura Child Molestation Attorney

When the stakes are this high, you deserve an attorney who knows the Ventura County courts, communicates clearly in English and Spanish, and is accessible at a cost that doesn’t add to your burden. At Bentley Law, you work directly with Scott Bentley from your first consultation through the resolution of your case.

Call us at (805) 210-8555 for a confidential consultation with our Ventura child molestation attorney.