Sex Crimes in California: Age of participants
The Long Beach Press Telegram reports a Long Beach man, who just also happens to be a Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy, has been accused of
sex crimes with a minor.
His arraignment was in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Long Beach Courthouse, where he entered a plea of not guilty to two felony counts of oral copulation with a person under the age of 18. The article says the Los Angeles deputy sheriff was 34 years old at the time the sex crimes took place and the alleged victim of the sex crimes was his 16 year old relative.
Age is significant because in California this behavior is no longer a crime between consenting adults.
The California Penal Code defines oral copulation as copulating one person's mouth with the sexual organ or anus of another.
Notice: the sex laws against oral copulation now only apply to copulation by force, copulation with minors, and other specific persons who are either unconscious, disabled, or intoxicated.
"Consent" means positive cooperation in act or attitude based on an exercise of free will. A consenting person acts freely and voluntarily and knows the nature of the act or transaction involved.
Age is also significant because the sentence or punishmennt for oral copulation in California often depends on the age of the alleged victim, or the age difference between the alleged victim and the person accused of the sex crime, or both.
If you or someone you know is accused of a sex crime in California, contact the experienced attorneys at Gold, Leftwich & Wagner today for a free consultation.