Have you been charged with a sex crime involving a minor in Oakland, California? These are among the most aggressively prosecuted offenses in the state, and a conviction can result in decades in prison, along with permanent collateral consequences. However, you may still be able to fight back and offer an effective defense with help from the Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed.
Our Oakland sex crimes attorney has 20 years of experience practicing law and knows how the prosecution likes to try its cases. If you hire us to represent you, we’ll put the full force of our resources and dedication to work for you from the start.
Contact our law offices at (510) 271-0010 for more information. We offer an initial consultation to review your charges and offer some preliminary legal advice.
How Can the Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed Help if You’re Facing Sex Crime Charges Involving Minors in Oakland, CA?
The system starts working against you as soon as you’re accused of a sex crime involving a minor. Prosecutors in Alameda County pursue these cases with full force and almost always assume you’re guilty as well. Regardless of that state of affairs, however, the truth is that you’re afforded a presumption of innocence, among other important legal rights.
At the Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed, we understand that these accusations can be devastating on their own, long before a case goes to trial. Our Oakland criminal defense attorney will fight to protect your future from the very start.
Some of the ways our Oakland sex crimes attorney can help include:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the charges and the evidence against you
- Filing motions to suppress evidence that was improperly obtained
- Challenging the credibility and reliability of witness testimony
- Working to have your charges dropped where possible
- Ensuring your constitutional rights are protected at every stage
- Representing you at all hearings and at trial if your case reaches that point
Call our law offices in Oakland, CA, today to get started with an initial consultation.
Common Sex Crime Charges Involving Minors in California
California law includes a number of statutes that address sex offenses against individuals under the age of 18.
Prosecutors in Oakland may bring charges under any of the following, depending on the circumstances of the case:
- Statutory rape: Involves sexual intercourse with a person under 18. Penalties depend heavily on the age gap between the parties. Statutory rape is a wobbler in many cases, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
- Lewd acts with a minor: Covers touching a child for sexual purposes. If the child is under 14, a conviction can carry 3 to 8 years in state prison. Cases involving force can result in up to 10 years in prison.
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child: Applies when three or more acts of abuse occur over a period of at least three months. It is a felony punishable by 6 to 16 years in prison.
- Aggravated sexual assault of a child: Involves certain sexual acts committed against a child under 14 by a person who is at least seven years older. A conviction carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
- Child pornography offenses: Cover the possession, distribution, or production of sexual images involving minors.
Each of these charges carries distinct elements that the prosecution must prove. An experienced attorney can identify weaknesses in the state’s case and build a defense tailored to your situation.
Possible Defenses to Sex Crime Charges Involving Minors
The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of your charges beyond a reasonable doubt. That is the highest standard of proof in the legal system.
Defense strategies include:
- The alleged conduct did not occur, and you have been falsely accused
- The evidence against you was obtained through a constitutional violation
- Witness testimony is unreliable or was the result of coaching or outside influence
- There is insufficient evidence to support the charges
- A confession or statement was obtained in violation of your Miranda rights
False accusations are unfortunately not uncommon in cases like these, particularly when custody disputes, family conflict, or personal grudges are involved. A skilled defense attorney will know how to investigate these dynamics and expose inconsistencies in the accuser’s account.
Schedule an Initial Consultation With Our Oakland Sex Crimes Lawyer
Sex crime charges involving a minor in Oakland, CA, must be taken seriously. However, a charge is not the same thing as a conviction. Don’t lose hope about what’s to come until you’ve reached out to our legal team at the Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed.
Our Oakland sex crimes attorney has 20 years of experience and is one of the Bay Area’s most respected legal professionals. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more.
