Child Molestation Charges And How Best to Defend Against Them.

Types of Child Molestation Charges:

Child molestation charges are all serious, and most, but not all, require lifetime registration as a sex offender. Child molestation laws also involve very long prison terms. The most serious charges involve alleged victims under age ten, and carry a potential life term in prison. If there are multiple alleged victims, a life term can also be involved. Most child molest cases involve alleged victims younger than fourteen. If an alleged victim is fourteen or fifteen and the accused is at least 10 years older, a less severe charge of child molestation is involved.

All child molest charges have to be defended vigorously. The alleged victim may have a lot of reasons for making the claim of molest. Often, there is a divorce and child-custody battle going on at the time between the parents. Sometimes, the accuser just wants to live with another parent, and fabricated the charges to be allowed to move. These cases require intense investigation and good investigation can often lead to the defendant disproving the allegations either before or during trial. You must have a lawyer who has a lot of experience in these difficult cases. This San Bernardino and Riverside Defense attorney has handled many of these cases and has had many dismissed.

Misdemeanor Child Molestation:

Some variations of child molestation are considered misdemeanors, such as "annoying a child" Such cases still require registration as a sex offender, and must be fought just as hard as felony cases. Statutory rape is one sex offense that does not require sex registration, as a misdemeanor of a felony. Statutory rape involves sexual intercourse between a person under the age of eighteen, and a defendant at least three years older than the alleged victim. Some child molest cases, originally files as a more serious charge, can be reduced to this non-registrable form of "unlawful sex" through negotiation.

Victims of child molestation have rights not to be forced to testify. See the Marcy's Law page on the homepage of this website, or call us to discuss Marcy's Law.

If you or a loved one face a charge of child molestation, call this San Bernardino & Riverside Criminal Defense Lawyer for a free consultation to see how best to defend against the charge