Fresno Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
Work with a Top-Rated Criminal Defense Firm
Being accused of sexual assault is a serious matter. If you are convicted, you could face life-altering consequences, including a lengthy prison sentence and mandatory registration as a sex offender. However, you are innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution has the burden of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. With the help of a skilled and experienced Fresno sexual assault lawyer, you can fight back against the charges and work to get them reduced or even dismissed.
At Sawl Law Group, our legal team understands that being accused of a crime like sexual assault can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. That is why we are here to help. Our team is prepared to use every resource at our disposal to craft a strong defense on your behalf. We have an in-depth understanding of California’s criminal justice system and can help you navigate the process from start to finish. You can rely on us to provide you with the effective and aggressive legal representation you need and deserve.
If you have been charged with sexual assault, contact Sawl Law Group at (559) 205-7757 to schedule a free consultation with our team.
What Is the Definition of Sexual Assault in California?
In California, sexual assault is a type of sexual battery. Sexual battery occurs when a person touches the intimate part of another person without the person’s consent. The touching must be against the person’s will, and it must be done with the specific intent to achieve sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse.
Examples of sexual battery include:
- Groping
- Forcing someone to touch you
- Forcing someone to touch themselves
- Forcing someone to touch someone else
Sexual assault is a more serious form of sexual battery. It occurs when a person touches the intimate part of another person with the specific intent to commit rape, rape by a foreign object, or oral copulation. Sexual assault can also occur when a person touches the intimate part of another person with the specific intent to cause the person to engage in a sexual act against their will.
Sexual assault can be committed in several different ways, including:
- Force, fear, or threats: A person can be convicted of sexual assault if they use force, fear, or threats to commit the crime. Fear or threats can include threats of violence, threats of harm to the victim’s loved ones, or threats to ruin the victim’s reputation.
- Unconsciousness or intoxication: A person can be convicted of sexual assault if they commit the crime while the victim is unconscious or intoxicated and therefore unable to give consent.
- Impersonation: A person can be convicted of sexual assault if they commit the crime by pretending to be someone else. For example, if a man pretends to be the victim’s husband, the man can be charged with sexual assault.
- Consent obtained by fraud: A person can be convicted of sexual assault if they obtain the victim’s consent to engage in a sexual act by using fraud. For example, if a man tells a woman that he is a doctor and needs to perform an examination on her, the man can be charged with sexual assault if he touches her intimate part during the examination.
Sexual assault is a wobbler in California, meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the defendant’s criminal record. If the defendant has a criminal record that includes a prior conviction for sexual assault or another serious sexual offense, they will likely face felony charges.
The penalties for sexual assault in California include:
- Up to 4 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Lengthy probation
- Restitution to the victim
- Required registration as a sex offender
Being convicted of sexual assault can also have long-lasting consequences for your personal and professional life. Employers, landlords, and others can see if you are a registered sex offender, which can make it difficult for you to find employment or secure housing. You may also be prohibited from living near a school, park, or other area where children are present.
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"I will forever be grateful to this office who helped me."I retained the office to help me with some very serious charges that would hurt my career and long time goals. I was wrongfully accused of taking materials from a job site. I did not take them, this law office help prove my innocence. They helped me find an investigator for my case. The staff was always ready to help me and willing to go the extra step when I had questions. The Attorney later was able to get my case dismissed. I will forever be grateful to this office who helped me. I recommend Sawl Law Group if you want someone fighting for you.- Preston D.
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"Martin was the perfect person to work on helping me get through my DUI."10/10 would recommend Martin, communication was always there, he was the perfect person to work on helping me get through my DUI.- Google Reviews - C.D. Carter
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"I would highly recommend the Sawl Law group to family and friends if they were ever in need of their services."
Just wanted to thank the Sawl Law group for a job well done. Corina did a great job and was very helpful. Corina explained the procedure in great detail. She always kept me well informed and always made herself available to me via phone, email and in person. I would highly recommend the Sawl Law group to family and friends if they were ever in need of their services.
Thanks again for all your help and hard work!
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"They were able to lower my DUI to a much lesser charge of “Wet Reckless” saving me thousands of dollars, and time. So thank you Sawl Law Group, Claudia, and Michelle."
I just wanted to say a few things about Sawl Law Group. I had never needed to hire an attorney before, so I didn’t know what I was doing, or what to expect. When i had just been charged with a DUI; I had a pile of law offices to choose from. The first one that stood out was Sawl Law Group. They were very professional, and welcoming. Claudia made a long drive, just to meet with me face to face, and have a short conversation about my case, and my options. She made me feel confident that I could do much better than I had hoped. Claudia paired me up with Michelle, the attorney that would then, represent me. She took care of all my court dates (after signing a document of course) which was especially helpful with my crazy work schedule. Not only that, but they were able to lower my DUI to a much lesser charge of “Wet Reckless” saving me thousands of dollars, and time. So thank you Sawl Law Group, Claudia, and Michelle. And to anyone else who finds themselves in a bind; I definitely recommend starting here!
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"I highly recommend Martin Taleisnik to anyone needing legal representation and would seek him out again, if needed."
Our Experience with the Sawl Law Group was only positive. My adult son was in serious trouble and refused to follow our extended family’s advice on how to plea, so as to enable him to get the help we thought he needed. Martin Taleisnik represented us and went above and beyond his call-to-duty on repeatedly meeting with our son and trying to talk sense into him. Because of his familiarity with the D.A.’s and judges, he was able to counsel us as to what to expect and whom to avoid, if possible.
All we were concerned about was that my son would get a fair hearing and not be swept aside by the court process. During one court appearance, Mr. Taleisnik was in the judge’s chambers for over 20 minutes, presenting the mitigating factors in my son’s case. At the sentencing hearing, Mr. Taleisnik gave an impassioned speech to the judge which persuaded the judge to give my son probation. During that speech, a female sitting behind us in court tapped us on the shoulder and told us that she was impressed by our attorney.
Regarding the fee. We were quoted a reasonable global fee that would cover anything that would transpire, short of a trial. My son’s case was continued almost monthly for 6 months, due to his co-defendant and other court procedures. Mr. Taleisnik was always there, on time, and would speak to us afterward in the hall, at length, about what the proceedings meant and what the next step was.
I highly recommend Martin Taleisnik to anyone needing legal representation and would seek him out again, if needed.
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"Previous lawyers did not meet my expectations with their professionalism, concern or attentiveness. Sawl Law Group was very welcoming and understanding."
This was the first time I had ever been involved in any situation like this. I had spoken with a few lawyers before heading to Sawl Law Group. The previous lawyers did not meet my expectations with their professionalism, concern or attentiveness. Sawl Law Group was very welcoming and understanding.
They took immediate ownership of the problem at hand. This problem had wrecked havoc on my life by draining my time and my finances. Sawl Law Group was affordable and handled the case so I wasn’t required to miss work and physically be present. I would highly recommend Sawl Law Group to friends, family and anyone who needs a tough lawyer to receive justice.
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I highly recommend this firm. They are very busy, so sometimes you may need to be persistent in calling them. BUT they are experienced in accidents cases and fight for what money you deserve. They are honest and inform their clients on what to expect. Their lien doctors are excellent. You get all the medical treatment you need.
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"Had it not been for Sawl Law Group, I would not have been as far as I am today in my military career."This is by far the most experienced and professional team of lawyers I've had the pleasure of working with. The staff was amazing, polite and very attentive to all my questions and needs regarding my case. Mr. Taleisnik was very reassuring regarding the best possible outcome for my case. While preparing my case I was kept well informed and was consistently and accurately updated with any new information. Had it not been for Sawl Law Group, I would not have been as far as I am today in my military carrier. I highly recommend this professional and well experienced team of attorney's.- James M.