Statewide Service. Call us for free consultation 1 (877) 887-2644
Statewide Service. Call us for free consultation
1 (877) 887-2644
The Law Office of Bruce Bridgman has extensive experience handling sex offenses including PC 288 cases and PC 290 issues. We have worked with sex crime clients in virtually every county in the state. The Law Office of Bruce Bridgman has a wide range of backgrounds with sex crimes in both state and federal court, misdemeanors through crimes that are punishable by life in prison. In addition, the laws concerning sex offenders have become more severe. In addition to criminal penalties, the collateral consequences of the conviction, such as Internet posting and
registration, drastically affect the lives of thousands of people. With the new and complex tiered registration system, it is now more important than ever to understand the long term and potentially lifetime consequences of the charges you are facing. There is no substitute for this level of talent and experience.
Child Molestation
Any sexual encounter between an adult and a minor falls within the definition of child molestation. Conduct can range from touching or groping to violent child rape. Few crimes are punished in California more severely than a child molestation sex crime. Jessica’s Law in California makes sex crimes involving minors punishable by long prison terms, including life. Special rules also make it difficult to avoid jail, registration and create other harsh penalties.
Internet Sex Crimes
This is a rapidly expanding area of criminal law. Both state and federal authorities prosecute individuals and groups that possess or distribute child pornography, solicit sex for money or attempt to meet minors for sex on the Internet.
Internet Solicitation
It is common for prostitution to be arranged on the Internet. Law enforcement often set up decoys to pose as prostitutes for sting operations. In other cases law enforcement will monitor ads and Internet chat rooms looking for sex for hire. The most serious cases involve paying for sex with a minor.
Child Pornography
Production, use, possession and/or distribution of child pornography is illegal. The penalties are severe and depend on the number of images and the age of the minors. The level of involvement with a group or other individuals is also considered significant as is a person’s previous record of crime.
Using the Internet To Meet Minors For Sex
Police aggressively hunt for people that use the Internet to find victims. The use of chat rooms, even adult chat rooms, and social media sites are often reviewed by law enforcement searching for violators and many sting operations are set up to apprehend suspects. And now, under the new tiered registration system, these offenses are subject
to lifetime registration. It is now more important than ever to defend against these charges and reach a fair resolution.
Defenses and Resolutions
There are numerous technical and factual defenses to Internet sex crimes. They include entrapment, lack of intent, illegal police searches and/or conduct and lack of knowledge. The Law Office of Bruce Bridgman looks at all defenses and have the expertise needed to expertly handle these cases. Just as important, we are skilled at arranging plea bargains in appropriate cases. An experienced attorney knows when to put the focus on reducing charges and penalties rather than enrage the court and prosecution by presenting a meritless defense.
Rape and Other Forcible Conduct
Rape
Essentially this is defined as non-consensual sexual intercourse. Rape laws have been radically changed in the last few years and now are easier to prosecute. In addition, the penalties involve lengthy prison terms including a “one strike” life in prison law. Usually force or threats of force are involved in traditional rape. Date rape, nonconsensual intercourse with a person with whom there is a prior relationship, is also a common crime. An individual’s intent is key to these cases.
Statutory Rape
In California it is illegal for an adult to have intercourse with anyone under the age of 18. Consent is not a defense. The greater the age difference the more serious the crime. Although these offenses do not carry mandatory sex offender registration, they are subject to large civil penalties up to $25,000.
Forcible Oral Copulation or Penetration
Forcing someone to engage in oral copulation or penetration is also a crime, and if it is committed against a minor, it is even more serious.
What You Need To Know
These crimes are specially prosecuted by prosecutors who only handle sex crimes. There are many complex rules of evidence that apply to these sex crimes and a number of laws that results in lengthy prison sentences. Moreover, most of these offenses are subject to mandatory lifetime registration under the new tiered registration system.
If you are being investigated or have been charged with any type of rape you must have a truly skillful attorney. Too much is at risk to trust your future to anyone but the best.
Sexual Battery
A sexual battery occurs when there is non-consensual and deliberate touching, contact or groping of another person’s private parts. Incidental and accidental contact is not a crime. The circumstances of the act are critical to determine if the contact should be considered a sex crime. Oftentimes, this is used to plea down from more serious offenses, but this maneuver must now bee considered more serious because this crime now carries lifetime registration under the new tiered registration system if convicted as a felony.
Indecent Exposure
When an individual intentionally exposes his/her private body parts in an inappropriate place a sex crime is committed. This sex crime is especially serous if committed near a school or if the victim(s) are children. This sex crime can be either a felony or misdemeanor.
There are many defenses to indecent exposure, particularly regarding intent. If you are charged with this sex crime a knowledgeable attorney can be of real help. Many cases are dismissed, not filed or the charges are reduced.
Prostitution/Solicitation
As they often say, this is the oldest profession. Although in many places paying for sex or soliciting sex for money is legal, they are crimes in California. Related crimes are pandering and pimping which involve arranging sex business for a prostitute. Prostitution and solicitation usually results in a county jail sentence and pandering a term in state prison.
Law enforcement typically uses undercover officers to investigate massage parlors, escort services, online ads and street activity. These operations often raise entrapment defenses. Intent, the lack of a video/or audio record and other factors are also helpful in defending individuals charged with this sex crime.
Lewd Conduct
A lewd act is broadly described as any sexual conduct that is considered lewd or offensive and is performed in a public place. Typically these sex crimes are committed at a park, beach or public restroom. Usually filed as a misdemeanor, these cases often involve undercover police personnel. Repeat offenders can face a felony prosecution and a potential prison sentence.
Pornography
In the not too distant past this sex crime encompassed all sexually explicit material, involving adults and minors. As a young Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Mr. Bridgman remembers prosecution of adult filmmakers and actors for conduct that is now legal.
Today in California this sex crime is almost always confined to the possession, distribution or production of sexually explicit material involving minors. Prosecutions for “obscene” material featuring adults are extremely rare.
Police relentlessly investigate these cases and the sentences are severe. In fact, police agencies can force Internet service providers to turn over records of users. Forensic computer experts are also used to search computers for explicit material.
It is often possible to raise successful legal defense in these cases. In situations where the evidence is overwhelming, a good lawyer may be able to work out a plea bargain that will significantly reduce the consequences of this crime.
Unlike most firms, when you call the Law Office of Bruce Bridgman for help you will speak with Mr. Bridgman personally. A former high-level prosecutor with over 30 years of experience, Mr. Bridgman has handled virtually every nature of sex crime, has been involved with numerous high profile cases and has been in both the local and national media. He graduated from two of the top universities in the world and has experience with local and state police agencies as well as the FBI and Homeland Security. When evaluating attorneys look for this type of broad background and ask if you will be dealing with the lead attorney. Sex crimes are punished severely and demand skillful lawyers who are powerful advocates at every stage of the process. At the post- conviction stage, the Law Office of Bruce Bridgman is responsible for the removal of hundreds of people from the public Megan’s law sex crime website and has relieved others from their obligation to register annually as a sex crime offender.
Winning strategies for sex crimes require top legal skills, hard work and resources. If you are involved with a sex crime of any type you should call the Law Office of Bruce Bridgman to discuss your case. You will receive honest and valuable advice that you need with any sex crime offense. You can reach Mr. Bridgman 24/7 for a free consultation.
Although each sex crime is unique every sex crime is serious. It is essential to engage a qualified sex crime attorney as soon as possible. Never speak to the police or on the phone with anyone before consulting with an attorney. Do not make mistakes at the beginning of your case that will seriously hurt you later.