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Statutory Rape Serving Families Throughout Fresno & The Surrounding Areas

Fresno Statutory Rape Defense Attorneys

Defending Clients in Fresno, Madera, Kings, & Tulare Counties

California has very strict laws regarding sexual contact between adults and minors. These laws are known as age of consent laws. They make it illegal for an adult to have sexual contact with a minor under the age of 18, even if the minor consents to the contact. These types of crimes are often referred to as statutory rape. If you or a loved one has been accused of statutory rape, you are facing life-altering consequences if convicted. The state of California takes these charges very seriously. You need an experienced and aggressive lawyer to fight for you in court.

At the Sawl Law Group, we have over 40 years of experience representing clients throughout Central California. Our Fresno statutory rape lawyers are well-versed in both state and federal sex crimes laws. We can help you navigate the legal process and make sure you understand your rights and options. Our attorneys will fight to protect your rights, your reputation, and your future.

Call us today at (559) 205-7757 or online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our lawyers.

What Is Statutory Rape in California?

It is important to understand that statutory rape is a strict liability crime. This means that the prosecution does not have to prove that the defendant knew the victim was underage or that the defendant intended to commit a crime. If the prosecution can prove that the sexual contact occurred, the defendant can be convicted, regardless of the circumstances.

In California, statutory rape is defined as sexual intercourse with a minor who is:

  • Under the age of 18
  • Not the spouse of the perpetrator

Statutory rape is a “wobbler” offense, which means it can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. If the victim is 14 years old or younger and the defendant is 10 or more years older, the crime will be charged as a felony. If the victim is 16 years old or younger and the defendant is at least 21 years old, the crime will also be charged as a felony. All other cases of statutory rape are typically charged as misdemeanors, which are punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and/or a maximum $1,000 fine.

If you are facing statutory rape charges, you need to take them seriously. Contact our firm today for skilled legal representation.

 

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    Sawl Law Group was such a big help to me. I would definitely recommend anyone who needs a lawyer to them. I currently live in a different state and was unable to appear in court. Sawl Law Group stood in on my behalf. I was so grateful. In the end my warrant was recalled, and I was able to complete the stipulations of my case in my current state. This was such a relief to me. My fee was very affordable, and I was able to be put on a payment arrangement. I couldn’t of asked for better service. My person of contact was Claudia, and she was very helpful, and informative. She answered all my questions, always contacted me back when a message was left, and was always available for me. She walked me through the whole process and I appreciate her support. I just want to thank my lawyer Michelle for working on my behalf and Sawl Law Group for helping me out when I most needed it. So if your searching for a good lawyer who would work on your behalf, please choose Sawl Law Group.

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    The Sawl Law Group really, really did an outstanding job for me. They were very invested in my interest to pursue a dismissal for some things I did as a young man. We won the dismissal and my attorney Michelle did a great job and was really caring about my situation. I definitely recommend this group to anyone seeking legal representation!

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    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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    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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