Sex Offenses

The criminal defense attorneys at The Chastaine Law Office represent people throughout Sacramento and surrounding areas who have been accused of rape, molestation or other sex offenses.

There is a wide variety of conduct designated by the state as sex crimes. Most sex offenses are felonies, which means incarceration in state prison, and sentences can be quite lengthy.

In addition to fines, imprisonment, and the "usual" types of criminal penalties, conviction of sex crimes also subjects a person to registration as a Sex Offender under Section 290 of the California Penal Code.  290 Registration is a lifetime requirement and requires a person to register with the police in the city or county where he or she lives within five days of moving into an area. 

Section 290, along with Megan's Law, Jessica's Law, and other statutory enactments, impose significant restrictions on where registered sex offenders may live and work.  Besides notifying the local police, sex offender registries can be viewed by the public, making it exceedingly difficult for those convicted of sex offenses to re-enter society even after their period of incarceration or probation has been completed.  In addition to defending persons accused of sex crimes, the lawyers at The Chastaine Law Office work extensively with convicted offenders to obtain Certificates of Rehabilitation and other records clearances so that offenders may have a chance at rejoining society and live a normal life after their sentence has been completed.

The representation of individuals charged with sexual misconduct is a highly specialized area of criminal law.  Particularly when minors are involved, the rules regarding the use of witness testimony, medical records, and other evidence are different from that of any other area.  As a result, many criminal law attorneys do not take these cases or if they do, simply do not have the experience to handle them effectively. 

Mike Chastaine has been working in this area for a very long time, with great results.  If you have been charged with a crime involving sexual misconduct, or if you have already served a sentence and wish to know if it is possible to recover from any of the legal disabilities which have been imposed on you, contact The Chastaine Law Office to discuss your situation with one of our qualified and experienced attorneys.