Legal Tips & Guides

Child molestation, or a sex crime against a minor, is considered among the most serious of crimes in California. The penalties will include a state prison term, hefty fines, and the accused will have to go on the registry as a sex offender. Additionally, the stigma could cripple the accused emotionally, personally, and professionally.

Child molestation, or a sex crime against a minor, is considered among the most serious of crimes in California. The penalties will include a state prison term, hefty fines, and the accused will have to go on the registry as a sex offender.

In California, yes you can be charged with a sex crime as a minor. If the person accused was under the age of 18 at the time of the event, they can be charged as minors. In some cases, they may be tried as adults. Most of the time, the victim will also be someone that is under the age of 18.

In 2016, the California Senate overrode California Penal Code 801.1 and passed SB 813. SB 813 was signed into law September 28, 2016, by California Governor Jerry Brown, to eliminate the statute of limitations on most sexual assault crimes.

There are certain limits within the court system for different things. The statute of limitations is one such set of terms. In the case of sex crimes, the terms for reporting and litigating charges in court are very strict and different from other types of crimes.

Unlike many other crimes, sex crimes will stay with you for life. Years after your sentence is served and punishments fulfilled, you will have to answer for your crimes in many ways.