Former Los Angeles Sex Crimes Prosecutors Now Defending Charges Of Arranging Meeting With Minor For Lewd Act
If you have been accused of committing a sex crime involving a minor in Los Angeles, you must immediately consult with a qualified criminal defense lawyer with expertise in sex crimes defense in order prepare yourself for the path ahead. Every law enforcement agency throughout Los Angeles County takes these cases seriously and aggressively investigate all “credible” accusation. Sex crimes against minors include many different specific criminal acts, some of which do not require any physical contact, but merely an inappropriate conversation such as Arranging A Meeting With A Minor For The Purposes Of Committing A Lewd Act. Defined under California Penal Code 288.4:
Every person who, motivated by an unnatural or
abnormal sexual interest in children, arranges a meeting with a minor
or a person he or she believes to be a minor for the purpose of
exposing his or her genitals or pubic or rectal area, having the
child expose his or her genitals or pubic or rectal area, or engaging
in lewd or lascivious behavior is guilty of PC 288.4(a)(1).
If you have been recently arrested or believe yourself to be a suspect in a sex crime against a minor investigation, do not make any further statements to detectives or anybody else, and contact us immediately at (888) 579-4844. Criminal defense lawyers Eugene Hanrahan and Stephen Sitkoff have each practiced criminal law for over 30 years as former senior sex crimes prosecutors and since 1987, Los Angeles sex crimes defense attorneys.
Is PC 288.4 A Felony Or Misdemeanor?
You can be prosecuted for a felony or misdemeanor Arranging A Meeting With A Minor To Commit A Lewd Act depending on the
circumstances of your case and your prior criminal history. You would be charged with a felony under PC 288.4(a)(2) if one or both of the following apply to your case:
- You went to the arranged meeting place at or about the arranged time
- You are a registered sex offender pursuant to PC 290
Simply engaging in communication with a minor to arrange a meeting would constitute a misdemeanor sex crime under PC 288.4(a)(1). However, even a misdemeanor PC 288.4(a)(1) in Los Angeles would still mandate lifetime sex offender registration just as a felony conviction would.
Consequences And Penalties For PC 288.4 In Los Angeles
If you are charged with Arranging A Meeting With A Minor To Commit A Lewd Act, you face serious present and long term consequences if convicted. For a felony conviction, you face the following penalties:
- Up 4 years in California State Prison
- Formal (supervised) probation
- Up to $5,000 fine
- Lifetime registration as a sex offender
As a misdemeanor under PC 288.4(a)(1):
- Up to 1 year in Los Angeles County Jail
- Formal (supervised) or Informal (unsupervised) probation
- Up $5,000 fine
- Lifetime registration as a sex offender
Call Former LA Sex Crimes Prosecutors For A Free Case Review
With your freedom and liberty at stake, placing your case in the hands of an inexperienced criminal defense lawyer can have catastrophic consequences that cannot be undone. Mr. Hanrahan and Mr. Sitkoff have specialized in successfully defending sex crimes since 1987 utilizing their experience as former special prosecutors in the DA’s elite sex crimes unit. During your free consultation with us, we will focus on providing you with the answers you seek and offering you our unique insight and perspective into police investigative tactics, as well the criminal court procedure. Not only that, we will outline the path ahead and review potential defense strategies after patiently reviewing each of the facts of your case. Contact us now at (888) 579-4844 for a free no-obligation case review.