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(951) 667-5293

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(714) 758-5293

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Mr. Donath has spent his entire career defending people and standing up for the rights of the accused.

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  • former deputy public defender

    As a former Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County, Mr. Donath has always been on the defense side of the law. 

  • award winning certified criminal law specialist

    Top 100 Trial Attorneys in California 2012-2014, 2008 Trial Attorney of the Year by the Riverside County Public Defender's Office, and dozens of other awards and accolades.

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    Your lawyer should have a passion for defense, not just a passion for money. Reputation, vigor, and determination go a long way in this business.

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Riverside Child Seduction Crimes Attorney

If you have been wrongly accused of a child seduction crime, it can have serious repercussions on your life. The state of California is particularly harsh on sex offenders, including those who are convicted of child seduction crimes. You need an experienced child seduction crimes attorney to advocate for you. Call Riverside child seduction crimes lawyer Graham Donath at (951) 667-5293 for a free case review.

Types Of Child Seduction Charges In California

Several offenses fall under the child seduction crimes umbrella, and each of them carries different penalties as a consequence of conviction. The most common include:

  • Lewd acts with a minor. Touching a minor with the intent to sexually arouse the minor is punishable under Penal Code 288, lewd acts with a minor. Known as a wobbler offense, lewd acts with a minor can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the child’s age. If the child is 14 or under, a felony charge always applies. A felony conviction of this charge carries up to 8 years in prison. 
  • Sending harmful material to a minor. Penal Code 288.2 makes it illegal to send a minor any type of material that is sexually explicit or obscene. Delivery can be by text or email. The penalty for a conviction of this offense is up to 6 months in jail and fines of up to $1,000 for a misdemeanor offense and up to 3 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 for a felony conviction. 
  • Statutory rape. Engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor is statutory rape under Penal Code 261.5. If the accused is over age 21 and the minor is under the age 16, then the charge is a felony that carries up to 4 years in prison. If the age difference between the accused and the victim is less than three years, the charge may be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances, and jail time may be up to 3 years. 

Possible Defense Strategies for Child Seduction Crimes

There are several successful defenses that may apply in a child seduction case, depending on the defendant’s circumstances. Some of them include:

  • Entrapment. A police officer coerces or harasses you to meet up with a minor. You would not have met up with the minor if not encouraged to do so by a police officer, including in a “sting” operation.
  • False accusation. The victim in the case makes false statements regarding an encounter with you, or someone impersonated you by hacking your email or using your phone or computer without your permission.
  • Mistake in age. You honestly believed the victim was of legal age, especially if the victim purports to be 18 or older. 

An Advocate for You

Being accused of a child seduction crime in California can have lasting repercussions on your life, even if you avoid jail time. A conviction requires you to register as a sex offender and face the stigma that brings. 

Because of the serious nature of such offenses, it is important to seek experienced counsel and representation from a child seduction crimes lawyer who understands the nuances involved with these sensitive cases. If you are facing serious allegations such as soliciting a minor for lewd purposes or statutory rape, reach out to Riverside child seduction crimes attorney Graham Donath at (951) 667-5293 or by clicking here.