For the individual who is charged with statutory rape, he should make sure that he hires a proper Criminal Defense Attorney Los Angeles who can help him with the right strategy and make sure that he does not lose his freedom.

The crime of statutory rape may be considered as a misdemeanor or a felony and the penalties vary depending on the allegations at the complaints.

The following are some of the factors that could affect an individual’s sentence when charged with statutory rape:

It is a misdemeanor if the individual is not more than 3 years older than the victim. The penalty is punishment of up to one year in county jail and a maximum of a $1,000 fine.
It becomes a felony if the individual is 21 or older and the victim is younger than 16. It is punishable by up to 4 years in county jail and a maximum fine of up to a $10,000 fine.
After conviction, the individual charged has the duty to register as a sex offender.

Other than the penalties, he may also be liable to pay civil penalties. According to California Penal Code section 261.5(e)(2): “The district attorney may bring actions to recover civil penalties pursuant to this subdivision. From the amounts collected for each case, an amount equal to the costs of pursuing the action shall be deposited with the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered, and the remainder shall be deposited in the Underage Pregnancy Prevention Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. Amounts deposited in the Underage Pregnancy Prevention Fund may be used only for the purpose of preventing underage pregnancy upon appropriation by the Legislature.”

If you are faced with this predicament, you need to make sure that you hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer Los Angeles County who can help you.