Some of the most heinous of all crimes are those involving sexual assault, also referred to as sexual battery. Sexual assault involves touching someone intimately without a person’s consent, for purposes of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, and/or sexual abuse.
If you’ve been charged with sexual assault or sexual battery, contact Sacramento defense attorney David Knoll immediately. The consequences of a conviction are severe.
What Constitutes Sexual Assault in California?
The prosecutor can charge you with either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the circumstances of the alleged crime.
For example, you can be charged with felony sexual assault in California under the following circumstances:
- A male therapist fondles a patient’s breast after convincing her it will help with her sexual inhibitions;
- Convincing a mentally ill or debilitated person in a psychiatric facility to masturbate in front of you;
- Forcefully holding someone down to put your hand inside his or her underwear.
Penalties for Sexual Assault in California
If convicted of felony sexual assault in California, you face the following possible penalties:
- A maximum of a $10,000 fine;
- Two to four years in a state prison;
- Formal California probation;
- Registration as a sex offender for the rest of your life.
Legal Defense to Fight Sexual Assault Charges
If you’ve been charged with sexual assault, criminal defense attorney David Knoll understands that you need aggressive counsel to combat the charges against you. Legal defenses against sexual assault, depending on the circumstances, include:
- Consent: Showing that the alleged victim gave his or her consent, or there wasn’t sufficient time for you to know that the alleged victim did not give consent;
- Insufficient evidence: To convict under the law, there must be enough evidence, physical or otherwise, to support the charges of sexual assualt or battery;
- False accusations: This situation is very common when emotions run high, and because there is usually no physical evidence, it is very easy to accuse someone of sexual assault. If someone is angry with another, he or she can allege sexual assault to get back at the person.
The prosecuting attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that consent was not given on the part of the alleged victim. Sacramento attorney David Knoll provides a defense that demonstrates the weaknesses of the prosecution and may be able to get the charges dismissed without going to trial.
Help with Sexual Assault Charges