Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founder, Daniel Perlman who has years of legal experience as a Federal Crimes attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.

Last Modified: November 14, 2024
November 14, 2024
Sex crime defense lawyer

Being accused of a sex crime can have a severe adverse impact on your personal and professional life. There are harsh penalties you could face if you are convicted.

A conviction for a sex crime in federal court can carry critical, life-altering consequences. These include a lengthy prison sentence, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and a criminal record that can follow you for life.

If you are facing charges for a federal sex crime like sex trafficking or child pornography, you must protect your rights. Sexual crimes are prosecuted vigorously at all levels, including the federal level. This means you must hire a knowledgeable sex crime defense lawyer equipped to handle the challenges of a federal sex crime case.

Daniel R. Perlman is a federal criminal defense lawyer with years of experience fighting for the rights of the wrongfully accused. With the skill and experience of the legal team at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers can help you highly improve your chances of receiving a favorable outcome in your case. 

Facing a sex crime charge is tough, and sex crime convictions come with stiff penalties. Learn more about sex crime allegations below. Then, contact our federal sex crime defense attorneys to schedule a free case consultation.

Our Knowledgeable Federal Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Defends Your Rights

Our knowledgeable federal sex crime lawyer defends your rights

When facing criminal charges for a sex offense, especially at the federal level, you need a seasoned, aggressive federal sex crimes attorney representing you in court. Federal sex crimes are some of the most major criminal offenses you can be charged with. Prosecuting sex crimes is always vigorous and forceful.

Hiring a federal criminal defense attorney at the beginning stages of your case is the best way to ensure your defense strategy is as strong as possible. You deserve a defense tailored to the details of your case. 

Having a skilled attorney representing your defense in federal court could mean the difference between clearing your name and being required to register as a sex offender. This stigma can follow you for the rest of your life.

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We Specialize in Defending Clients Against Sexual Crime Allegations

At Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers, our lawyers specialize in defending clients against federal criminal chargesWe are intimately familiar with the inner workings of the federal court process.

If you have been accused of committing a sex crime in Los Angeles or anywhere else in Southern California or throughout the United States, Daniel Perlman and his team of reputable federal criminal defense lawyers can help.

Our firm represents clients in sex offense cases in the California state court system and federal courts nationwide. We pride ourselves on our steadfast commitment to protecting our clients' rights.

With his experience as a former prosecutor, Daniel Perlman knows what it takes to successfully challenge the prosecution's evidence in a sex crime case. He can mount a winning defense on his clients' behalf. He brings a unique perspective to criminal cases that past clients have found extremely valuable.

Now, he is prepared to put his knowledge and experience to work for you. Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers offers prospective clients a free initial consultation and case evaluation. All you have to do is call.

What is a Sex Crime?

The term "sex crime" refers to any criminal offense that is sexual, involves sexual assault, sexual battery, or has a sexual motive. Most sex crimes are charged and prosecuted at the state level. But the federal government will intervene if the crime crosses state lines, involves a minor, or violates federal law.

Sexual Offense Examples

Some examples of federal sex crimes include the following:

Internet sex crimes like producing or selling child pornography are almost always considered federal crimes. The Internet is considered an "interstate commerce facility." This means it can be used to exchange commodities between residents across state lines.

Criminal Penalties for Federal Sex Offenses

Criminal penalties for federal sex offenses

Individuals charged with sex crimes in Los Angeles can be prosecuted in state or federal court. It depends on the details of the alleged offense. Federal sex offenses are considerably more severe than those charged at the state level.

Federal sex crimes typically carry a mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction. They are sometimes prosecuted in connection with other federal criminal charges, such as drug trafficking or kidnapping. This can result in increased criminal penalties.

Mandatory Minimums for Federal Sex Offenses

As a federal offense, sex trafficking of a minor carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years or 15 years. It depends on the victim's age and whether fraud, force, or coercion was used to commit the crime.

The federal crime of traveling across state lines with the intent to have sex with a minor carries a minimum 30-year prison sentence. The federal crime of producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years.

Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act

One severe, long-lasting consequence of a federal sex crime conviction is mandatory registration with the national sex offender registry. This punishment requires convicted sex offenders to register and regularly update their name, address, and other personal information with law enforcement. It must be made freely available to the public.

Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), established under Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, all U.S. states are required to maintain a sex offender registration system for monitoring and tracking convicted sex offenders following their release into the community.

There are three "tiers" of federal sex offenses. They are categorized according to the alleged victim's age, the length of the prison term required by law, and the presence of any aggravating factors. Each tier imposes specific reporting requirements on the convicted offender:

  • Tier III offenses. Tier III sex offenders must register for life, or, in the case of a juvenile delinquent who maintains a clean record for 25 years. They must appear every three months to have their photo taken and their registration information verified.
  • Tier II offenses. Tier II sex offenders must register for 25 years. They must appear every six months to have their photo taken and their registration information verified.
  • Tier I offenses. Tier I sex offenders must register for 15 years (or, with a clean record, ten years). They must appear yearly to have their photo taken and their registration information verified.

Being forced to register as a convicted sex offender can hurt your ability to find housing or secure employment. It could even restrict your freedom to see certain people or visit or live near certain public areas. These include parks and schools.

Federal Sex Crimes Defense

Federal sex crime defense

Federal sex offenses carry some of the harshest criminal penalties upon conviction. This is particularly true of those that involve minors or particularly violent sexual abuse.

Unfortunately, even if you are innocent of the charges, defending your rights and fighting for your freedom in a federal sex crime case will be an uphill battle. But that doesn't mean your case is hopeless. The prosecutor in any federal sex crime case bears the burden of proving the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. That means establishing each element of the crime you are accused of committing.

Federal Sex Trafficking: The Elements

For instance, if you are facing charges for the federal crime of sex trafficking (18 U.S.C. Chapter 117 § 2421-2429), the prosecution must prove the following to get a conviction:

  • You committed at least one act against another person. Examples include recruiting, transporting, transferring, or receiving that person;
  • Using fraud, violence, threat of violence, deception, abduction, coercion, or abuse of power or position of vulnerability;
  • For sexual exploitation or sexual slavery.

Defense Strategies for Federal Sex Crimes

Federal criminal cases are more complicated than state cases and can be extremely difficult to defend. This is largely because the crimes tried in federal court are generally more severe than those tried in state court.

In addition, federal prosecutors typically only pursue cases in which they believe they have a good chance of winning. That makes raising a convincing defense against sex crime charges in federal court extremely complicated. This task requires more intensive research and a more aggressive approach by a trained federal criminal defense attorney.

The following are some possible defense strategies your lawyer may be able to use in your defense:

  • You have been falsely accused of a sex crime.
  • The prosecution doesn't have enough evidence to prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • You were unable to comprehend the wrongfulness of the crime as a result of severe mental disease or defect (insanity).
  • You are the victim of entrapment.
  • You are the victim of vindictive prosecution.
  • You committed the crime under duress.
  • You were intoxicated at the time you committed the crime.
  • You completely and voluntarily withdrew from the crime prior to its completion.
  • You did not commit the crime knowingly, willfully, or maliciously.
  • You are the victim of mistaken identity.

Federal Sex Crime Cases Are Always Complicated

Federal sex crimes tend to be complex cases. The potential consequences of a federal conviction are far more harsh than those for a state crime. Suppose you are found guilty of a federal sex crime like sex trafficking. You could bear the label of a convicted felon. In that case, you will have to deal with the lifelong stigma that accompanies sex offender status. This can be much more difficult to overcome.

Unfortunately, people are wrongfully accused and convicted of sex crimes all the time. Suppose you want to protect yourself from a sex crime conviction, hiring a reputable criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in sex crimes defense. 

In fact, the most important step in presenting a compelling defense in your federal sex crime case is choosing the right legal representation.

Count on Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers To Defend Your Rights

Our attorneys at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers know how crippling a sex crime conviction would be for you and your loved ones. We will use every resource to help you beat the charges you are facing. When you retain our firm, we will immediately get to work carefully reviewing every detail of your case. We will explore every legal option available to you to develop a compelling defense strategy.

We strive to maximize your chances of success. We know you want to avoid the life-altering criminal penalties that typically accompany a federal sex crime conviction. So, you need the guidance of a defense attorney who specializes in federal sex crime defense.

Equipped with the knowledge and experience of our top-rated criminal defense lawyers at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers, you may be able to get your sex offense charges dropped or your sentence reduced.

Contact Our Federal Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers Today

Contact our federal sex crimes lawyers today

The consequences of a federal sex crimes conviction can follow you for the rest of your life long after you have served your time in prison. If you have been accused of committing a sex crime in California, you are probably wondering how you can beat the charges.

At Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers, our sex crime defense lawyers believe that every individual accused of a sex crime deserves the chance to prove his or her innocence, and we will do everything in our power to help you do just that.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a sex crime, or if you are under investigation for a federal sex offense like child pornography or child sexual exploitation, contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Facing sex crime charges? Contact us! We're available 24/7
call (818) 383-6692

Daniel Perlman
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Daniel R. Perlman, the founding attorney at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers, leverages his extensive background as a former prosecutor to provide superior defense strategies for clients across federal courtrooms. Earning his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law, he first honed his legal skills with the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. 

This diverse experience enables him to advocate effectively, understanding prosecution tactics intimately, which he expertly counters in defense of his clients. With a profound commitment to justice, Daniel leads his team in tackling complex federal cases, from white-collar crimes to violent offenses, ensuring the highest level of defense through every phase of the criminal process.

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