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(805) 208-1866Put our 25+ years of experience in your corner to ensure the best possible outcome in your case.
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Rape is one of the most serious crimes in California and, as such, it is punished with the harshest penalties. The social opinion on the crime is so strong that many people who are falsely accused of the crime end up having to pay legal and social ramifications from something that wasn’t true.
A skilled Criminal Defense Attorney is available, however, for those charged with rape, and it is important to utilize those legal services so that he or she is protected against an unfair or false conviction.
Turn to our team for help. If you’ve been accused of rape or sexual assault in Southern California, Ridley Defense is ready to explain your rights, review the facts of the case and walk you through every step of the legal process. Let us protect your rights. Call for a complimentary consultation: 805.953.7624.
Contrary to popular belief, rape is actually a complex area of criminal law. While the fundamental element is that there is the presence of nonconsensual sexual intercourse, there are several difference charges under the larger category of rape. Rape can occur in marital or previously established romantic relationships, and even consensual relationships can include rape if the two partners have a large age differential. These different rape charges include:
Date rape
In California, the prosecutor will be expected to prove several things before conviction is possible. The first is that the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with their accuser. While some states require full penetration in order to constitute a rape charge, California does not.
The next element required will be proof that the intercourse occurred against the will of the accuser. This is the point at which many false accusations are brought to light because alleged victims may change their story in order to punish or humiliate the alleged defendant. Because the justice system favors victims of sexual offenses, it is far too easy for a consenting individual to turn and accuse their partner of rape in a moment of anger or passion.
The different rape charges have different elements of proof and unique punishments. However, any conviction of a rape-related charge is sure to be accompanied by life-long consequences, including life-long registration as sex offender.
If you have been accused of rape or if you know someone who has, a criminal defense attorney from Ridley Defense can defend you against your accuser. We represent people in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and Southern California, and have helped hundreds of people defend their rights and protect their future from damaging criminal charges and false allegations.
Backed by 20 years of criminal defense experience, our defense team is well known for being compassionate, staunch advocates for our clients, detail oriented and capable of handling even the most complex case.
Our clients also benefit from attorney Douglas H. Ridley’s previous experience as the deputy district attorney for Ventura County and good rapport with law enforcement and judges in the area. His hard work and dedication to getting positive results for his clients are among many reasons why he has received a large number of awards and accolades over the course of his career.
Contact our office today and discuss your case with a member of our legal team so that we can begin building a case for your defense. Contact us online or call (805) 208-1866. We are available 24/7.
Whether you need advisement, negotiation, damage control, or aggressive courtroom representation, our caring, compassionate, and tactically brilliant attorneys will fight for you.
