California has complicated statutes of limitations in several ways, including the fact that when it comes to specific crimes, such as child molestation, the statute of limitations can range greatly from one year to forever. Recent changes have made these rules even more complex and difficult to understand.
If you have been charged with child molestation or a similar sex crime, contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation with a criminal defense attorney. We will work to find the best possible way forward for your case.
Nine Offenses Can Fall within the Child Molestation Laws in California
Part of the problem is that in California, there are nine different offenses that can fall within child molestation laws, and most of them have different statutes of limitations. This includes:
- Statuary rape: 1 year if the charge is a misdemeanor and 3 years if the charge is a felony
- Oral copulation with a minor: No statute of limitations in some cases
- Lewd or lascivious act with a child: No statute of limitation in some cases
- Sending sexually explicit content to a minor: 1 year if the charge is a misdemeanor and 3 years if the charge is a felony
- Contact a minor in order to commit a felony or a sex crime: 3 years
- Arranging to meet a minor to engage in sexual conduct: 1 year if the charge is a misdemeanor and 3 years if the charge is a felony
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14: No statute of limitations
- Sexual acts with a child under the age of 10: No statute of limitations
- Irritating a minor with sexual interest: 1 year if the charge is a misdemeanor and 3 years if the charge is a felony
It is easy to see that these are very complex and potentially confusing rules that can have a huge impact on many people’s lives. It can be difficult for a person accused of these crimes to live in a world of uncertainty.
New DNA Evidence is Found All Bets Are Off
In the event new DNA evidence is discovered, the criminal statute of limitations can open for another year in some states, including California. Other states that have similar rules include Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York.
If you have been accused of a crime that is listed above, or if new evidence has been found in a case in which you are suspected of having committed a crime, we invite you to contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 as soon as possible for a free legal consultation. We can provide the help you need to get out of the predicament you are in.
