More and more in today's society, where people are going online, Tinder, some of these other dating applications, trying to find companionship or whatever you want to call it, they're ending up getting arrested at record numbers for sex-related offenses.

Whether it be an allegation that the alleged victim said no and the person continued their sexual pursuit, or whether it be a situation where the person was drunk and became unconscious and was allegedly attacked by an individual.

I'm having more and more clients coming in who met the person on some sort of dating application or one of the websites that's out there, had a date with them, and something sexual occurred.

Rape Charges under California Penal Code 261

Now the person's been arrested for some sort of date rape allegation or they're under investigation and the police want to talk to them and ask them questions or two other things can happen. Rape is defined under California Penal Code 261.

They could be called by the alleged victim with a bunch of accusations, with the police listening on the other line and tape-recording the conversation, or even text messages could be sent to the would-be defendant.

They are trying to get that person to admit that they did something wrong, and a lot of times, people receive these text messages and phone calls. They try to clean up the mess by saying they're sorry, when in reality, all that does is dig them deeper into the problem because now they're admitting and acknowledging that they did something wrong.

This is a constant problem now.  You're already behind the 8-ball because you have to look at it from the perspective of a juror.  A juror is going to say, How are you already having sex with the person.  You just met them and have known them for a couple of hours.  Who would consent to a situation like that?

Of course, some people do that, but remember these jurors — some of them older, retired people — are looking and wondering what's going on here?  So, you have to look at it from that mindset when you're thinking about what's going to happen with your case.

How should you handle it?  Who should you hire?  Should you report to the police and speak with them?  By the way, you should never go to the police and talk to them and give them a statement, in my opinion, if you're being looked at for some sort of a sex offense that occurred on a date with somebody whom you met through a dating site or a dating application. It's crucial to be aware of and avoid common mistakes in a sex crime case, which can help you stay informed and prepared.

Defending Sex Crime Allegations

What you should do is come to someone like me, who has been defending people with these types of charges for 26 years, having worked for the District Attorney's office in Los Angeles. I also worked for a Superior Court judge and have a fairly good understanding of how the system works and what they're likely to try to get you to admit. I can guide you through the legal process, from the initial investigation to the trial, and help you understand what to expect at each stage.

I know what type of evidence they're going to try to obtain against you, and what the likelihood is that they'll file a criminal case against you.

So, what I have you do is come into the office.  We sit down and go over everything.  Attorneys are permitted to discuss potential crimes or actual crimes with clients, and the attorney-client privilege protects the conversation and any statements made by the client.

Attorneys can't repeat the conversation to anybody, even if the client decides not to hire that particular attorney.  In fact, the confidence remains after the client's death.  You cannot provide any information, so this should be a clear indication to you that whatever you say to me when we meet will be protected and nobody will find out about it unless you want them to. This protection of attorney-client privilege ensures your security and confidence in our discussions.

So, I have you come in.  We'll gather all the information, and then I'll ask some pointed questions to determine exactly what happened between you and the other party. I'll also act as a buffer between you and the police, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you don't inadvertently say something that could harm your case. My role is to advocate for you and ensure that you receive a fair legal process.

Retain a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Once you hire me, I will talk to the police, find out what they're investigating, and why they want to talk to you. I will gather as much information as possible and then come back to you to advise on your best course of action.  However, this is not an uncommon occurrence.

Many people are being investigated and charged with crimes related to the dates that they had and the sexual activity that they had.  Sometimes, both parties end up getting intoxicated either by the use of alcohol or some sort of drug.

Then, end up getting involved in some sort of sexual contact, and then one of the parties has buyer's remorse or regrets after and tries to come after the person and claim that they did something wrong to them.

Sometimes the alleged victim doesn't even know what happened to them.  They just feel like somebody sexually assaulted them, so they go to the police, and now you're left trying to clean up a mess that could end with consequences of you having to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life and potentially face prison time. The potential consequences of a sex crime conviction are severe, and it's crucial to have a strong legal defense to avoid these outcomes.

So, you need to get an advocate on your side immediately and handle this situation the right way, doing damage control, so that you can get out of the criminal justice system as quickly as possible.

Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm located in Los Angeles County, at 16000 Ventura Blvd, #1208, Encino, CA 91436. We are also located at 633 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. Contact us for a free case evaluation at (213) 542-0979.