Facing a child molestation charge is not only terrifying; it is an extremely serious criminal charge that can have grave legal consequences if the person is convicted. A child molestation charge can ruin a person’s life even if the charge is false. Once the allegation has been made against a person, the public and even the justice system are inclined to believe the accuser. The person is labeled as a sex offender even before the person has a chance to defend himself or herself in court. One molestation allegation, whether it is true or false, can destroy a person’s life.
As soon as possible, it is imperative that you contact an attorney with extensive experience defending Riverside child molestation charges. Your freedom and your future are at stake as well as your reputation. This is not something that will simply go away if you ignore it. You must take an immediate, proactive response to protect your freedom. You are innocent until proven guilty; however, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure that your future is protected, and that you receive a fair, impartial hearing.
What is Child Molestation?
Child molestation is a form of sexual assault involving a child. It refers to any inappropriate sexual conduct with a child or any form of contact with a child that is intended to give the perpetrator sexual stimulation or gratification. The action does not have to reoccur to be considered molestation. One occurrence of a sexual crime can be punished as aggressively and severely as repeated offenses.
Many people incorrectly assume that child molestation only applies to sexual contact with a child. While direct sexual contact is a molestation crime, exposing a child to sexually explicit materials such as videos or pictures is also considered child molestation, as well as exposing one’s genitalia to a child. Because there are several different criminal statutes that govern child molestation, the penalties and punishment for convictions of child molestation vary. Previous or concurrent sexual abuse charges can result in enhanced penalties. It is crucial for someone who is facing these types of charges to hire an attorney who is an experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorney.
Defending a Riverside Child Molestation Charge
People who work with children are particularly at risk of being accused of this type of child abuse. However, anyone who has contact with children, even their own children, can find themselves on the wrong side of a Riverside child molestation charge. Unfortunately, false accusations of child molestation are rising in the United States. Parents use allegations of child molestation as a tool in highly contested child custody cases or as a way of punishing their spouse. Feelings of anger or revenge can cloud good judgment. In other cases, allegations of child molestation are entirely false and based on lies, manipulation and misrepresentation. In some cases, the allegations of child molestation are based on nothing more than the statement of a child and/or parent without any physical evidence to support the claim of abuse.
Aggressive and immediate legal representation is the best chance you have of proving that you are innocent of a Riverside child molestation charge. Waiting to “see what happens” is not in your best interest. Any delay in preparing a strong defense could result in losing your freedom. The key to proving you are innocent of child molestation charges is to hire a criminal defense attorney who will develop an aggressive defense strategy.
The criminal defense attorneys at Greenberg, Greenberg & Kenyon have extensive experience defending Riverside child molestation charges; therefore, they understand the importance of beginning to work immediately on a strong, aggressive defense designed to refute the allegations and prove your innocence. Yes, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty; however, you do not want to rely on that as your sole defense, because when it comes to child molestation charges, the public and the prosecutor often have decided you are guilty as soon as the allegations are made against you.
False Allegations of Child Molestation
As we discussed above, false allegations of child molestation are very common. Without warning, you are being accused of a terrible crime that you did not commit. You are in shock, your family and friends are questioning whether they can trust you and you are terrified that you will go to jail for a crime that you did not commit. Fear, anger, frustration and confusion combine to cripple you so that you do not know what to do. Greenberg, Greenberg & Kenyon is here to help you. We understand what is at stake—fines, your freedom and your reputation.
Even though it may be difficult for most people to understand the motivation to falsely accuse someone of such a terrible crime, it does happen. Some common reasons for false allegations of sexual crimes include:
- Child custody disputes – An allegation of sexual abuse in a child custody case is a tool that a desperate parent uses to gain an advantage in a child custody case. Unfortunately, some people try so hard that they do not care if they destroy the other person’s life as long as they win.
- Revenge – For someone who wants to destroy another person out of revenge or hatred, using allegations of child molestation is a powerful way to do so.
- Emotional or psychological issues – If a child is scared, very young or confused, he or she may make up “stories” for a variety of reasons.
- Undue influence – Adults can unduly influence a child, creating a situation where the child falsely accused a person of molestation to please his or her parents or other adults. In some cases, adults can convince a child that something happened when it did not.
Contact Greenberg, Greenberg & Kenyon
The criminal defense attorneys at Greenberg, Greenberg & Kenyon have extensive experience defending Riverside child molestation allegations. We are skilled trial attorneys as well as highly trained negotiators. Because we understand you are anxious and you need answers to your questions quickly, our office accepts calls 24 hours a day.
We offer free consultations so that you can discuss your situation with an attorney in a private, confidential setting. It is important that you act quickly to protect your freedom and your future.
