Rape/sexual assault

Ventura Sexual Crimes Defense Attorneys: Sexual Assault and Rape

Have you been accused of sexual assault or rape? Sexual crimes carry serious penalties – there is no question that your freedom and reputation are on the line.

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here to guide you through this tumultuous process. We are sexual crimes defense lawyers in Ventura who are committed to protecting the rights of those who have been accused of sexual assault or rape.

Have You Been Charged with Sexual Assault or Rape? Your Freedom is at Stake.

Sexual crimes are serious and carry many consequences. If found guilty, you may have to register as a sex offender, pay costly fines and serve time in prison. Even after you have served your time, you may still suffer the social stigma of being a sexual predator. With so much on the line, you can’t afford to choose just any Ventura sexual crimes defense attorneys. You need the best – the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.

The experienced sex crimes lawyers in Ventura know how to defend sexual assault and rape cases that are covered under California Penal Code 243.4. We want you to know what rights you have and how to keep them protected throughout the investigation. If you are being accused of sexual assault or rape, we urge you not to talk to the police until you get in touch with one of our sex crimes attorneys.

Sexual Assault vs Rape: Is there a Difference?

Sexual assault and rape are often used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two. If you are being accused of either sexual assault or rape, it’s important to be informed. False allegations can be made intentionally or unintentionally.

• Sexual assault. Sexual assault refers to any unwanted sexual contact, such as fondling a woman’s breasts. To be convicted of sexual assault, a prosecutor must prove that you touched someone for the purpose of sexual gratification.

 

• Rape. Rape refers to unwanted penetration – oral, vaginal or anal. Even slight penetration is considered rape. To be convicted of rape, a prosecutor must prove that you penetrated the victim, and the victim did not give legal consent either because they were unable to or forced.

If you still feel a bit confused by the subtle differences between sexual assault and rape, you are not alone. Sexual assault and rape cases can be complicated because of “he said/she said” accounts. Victims are often portrayed as being vulnerable and innocent, while defendants are portrayed as being monsters. Depending on how the case is presented to the jury, your case could go one of two ways. One of them can steal your freedom.

Our Experienced Sexual Assault Lawyers Will Fight for Your Rights

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our team of Ventura sexual assault and rape attorneys are experienced, passionate and aggressive. Many of our lawyers are former prosecutors, judges and police from the state of California. We are comfortable in the courtrooms and will fight tirelessly for your rights. We are successful in getting reduced charges, reduced sentences and dismissed cases.

By choosing our experienced Ventura sex crimes attorneys, you can expect the following:

• Protect your rights. It’s not uncommon for those accused of sexual assault to be treated unfairly. This is even more prevalent with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements that have raised awareness of sexual assault in our country. Nonetheless, you have rights. Our lawyers will protect you from illegal actions by law enforcement, prosecutors and investigators.

 

• Receive ongoing communication. Our Ventura criminal defense lawyers maintain excellent communication throughout your case. We understand that this is an uneasy time for you and your family, and we will continue to keep you notified of any changes or updates.

 

• Knowledge of CA laws. Each state treats sexual assault cases slightly different. In the state of California, these are very serious crimes that can result in jail time, legal fines, probation, counseling, community service and registering as a sex offender. Our Ventura sex crimes attorneys are experienced in various legal defenses for assault and rape cases. If there is supporting evidence that the assault did occur, our lawyers will work from the angle of reducing the offenses.

 

• Excellent track record. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley have an excellent record. Many cases are dismissed, and for those that aren’t, we are often successful in getting charges and sentences reduced. Our success comes from our unique backgrounds as well as our ability to fight diligently for our clients. It’s what we do!

Legal Defenses for Sexual Assault & Rape Cases

Our experienced Ventura sexual assault defense lawyers always start with the facts. We offer a free consultation to all clients so that we have the opportunity to sit down with them and understand what led them here. Once we have the facts, we can start building a defense. Sexual assault defenses include:

• Innocence. Are you innocent of the crimes you are being accused of? This can be proven more easily if you were in a different place when the assault occurred. The case can also be thrown out if our Ventura rape defense attorneys find incriminating evidence, such as text messages from the accuser saying that the assault didn’t happen.

 

• Consent. Another defense is that the sexual encounter was mutual. Showing consent of both parties is difficult, however. If you were at a party drinking, the prosecutor can argue that the victim was intoxicated and couldn’t make this decision. Our lawyers tread on this carefully, but sometimes, the best defense is that two adults legally consented to sexual intercourse.

 

• Not for sexual gratification. This world is a very uneasy time for women and men. It’s possible that you could have accidentally touched someone and they viewed it as assault. Let’s say that you were at a work function and you touched a female’s breasts while playing volleyball. Because this touch was not for your own sexual gratification, it would not be considered sexual assault.

 

• Insanity. It’s possible that you may have had an untreated mental disease at the time of the assault. This is a defense that is only used when the perpetrator did not understand the criminal nature of their actions.

Being charged with sexual assault or rape is very serious. In the blink of an eye, you could end up in jail, with significant legal fines and as a registered sex offender. Do not trust your freedom to just anyone. Our experienced Ventura sexual assault defense attorneys have over 50 years of courtroom experience and will provide you with the best defense possible. Call us today at 800-755-5174 or email us for a free consultation.