Are You in Need of a Sex Crime Lawyer in Los Angeles?

Sex crime charges are not like other criminal cases. Prosecutors, judges, and even jurors often enter the courtroom with strong emotions and deep bias. California’s laws are harsh, the penalties are unforgiving, and investigators often pursue these cases aggressively, even with limited or questionable evidence.

Sex crimes often come down to conflicting statements, gaps in evidence, and the credibility of witnesses. Early intervention by a skilled defense team can mean the difference between no charges being filed and facing years behind bars.

If you have been contacted by law enforcement or learned that you’re under investigation, it’s time to act. Even if you haven’t been formally charged, do not wait. Speak to a criminal defense attorney before saying anything to police.

Why Choose Us Over Other Sex Crime Lawyers in Los Angeles

At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we are a highly selective criminal defense firm that takes on serious, life-changing cases. And we know how to win.

Why clients trust us with their sex crime defense:

• Led by former senior prosecutors with decades of courtroom experience, including roles as Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant Head Deputy of the Major Crimes Division.
• Proven track record defending complex sex crime cases, including rape, sexual battery, child molestation, and internet-related offenses.
• Skilled in pre-charge intervention, often stopping cases before they escalate to formal charges.
• Strategic, discreet representation for professionals, executives, and high-profile individuals facing sensitive allegations.
• Recognized by Super Lawyers and AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell for legal skill and ethical excellence.
• Deep understanding of forensic evidence, including digital forensics and DNA, critical in sex offense investigations.
• Experienced in defending against false accusations, including cases driven by custody disputes, relationship breakdowns, or ulterior motives.
• Relentless commitment to protecting your freedom, your reputation, and your future.

Accused of a Sex Crime in Los Angeles?

Your freedom, reputation, and future are at risk. Call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP at (213) 688-0460 for immediate legal intervention.

Don’t Wait to Speak to an Attorney

In sex crime cases, timing is huge. Evidence may be collected and misinterpreted, statements may be taken out of context, and your words may be used to build the prosecution’s case. If you delay hiring an attorney, you could lose the chance to:

• Prevent charges from being filed
• Challenge the credibility of witnesses or accusers
• Present exonerating evidence early in the process
• Control the narrative before law enforcement or media distort it

What Is a Sex Crime?

In California, the term sex crime is a broad description that includes a range of offenses. Crimes such as rape, sexual assault, and prostitution are all examples of sex crimes. The following is a list of offenses that can fall under the umbrella of sex crimes:

• Child molestation
• Lewd conduct
• Failure to register as a sex offender
• Indecent exposure
• Possession of child pornography
• Pimping and pandering
• Revenge porn
• Human trafficking
• Rape
• Soliciting a prostitute
• Statutory rape (sexual intercourse with a minor)
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Sexual battery
• Distribution of child pornography
• Prostitution
• Oral copulation by force

While most of the above charges would be prosecuted in local or state courts, certain sex crimes come under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Child pornography is handled by the federal authorities, and most sex crimes involving children are federal offenses. Violent sex crimes, including rape, will often include federal charges such as kidnapping. Finally, if the crimes were committed across state lines, the federal courts will likely be involved.

Federal cases are more complicated and costlier to try in court. The first task we will attempt is ensuring that your case stays at the state level.

How an Attorney Can Help

Facing sex crime allegations without legal representation is one of the biggest mistakes a person can make. These are high-risk cases with permanent consequences - legally, financially, and personally. Here’s how our attorneys help from day one:

• Pre-Charge Intervention
  We work to prevent charges from being filed by presenting mitigating evidence to prosecutors and law enforcement before a case reaches court.
• Confidential Guidance
  We advise you on how to handle investigations, protect your rights, and avoid self-incrimination. We handle communication with all authorities on your behalf.
• Trial Strategy and Jury Defense
  If the case goes to trial, you’ll have a team with extensive jury trial experience and a reputation for commanding the courtroom. We handle every element with precision, from jury selection to the closing argument.
• Expert Witness Coordination
  We retain forensic psychologists, medical experts, digital analysts, and other specialists to counter the prosecution’s narrative.
• Media and Reputational Management
  For high-profile clients, we help manage the impact of media coverage, protect your public image, and maintain discretion throughout the case.
• Sex Offender Registration Avoidance
  Many convictions carry mandatory lifetime registration as a sex offender. Our goal is to avoid conviction altogether or negotiate outcomes that eliminate or reduce this requirement.
• Post-Conviction and Appeals
  If you’ve already been convicted and believe your case was mishandled, our legal can pursue appeals or post-conviction relief.

Sex crime defense is not just about knowing the law. It’s about protecting the person behind the accusation and giving them a future beyond the courtroom.

Sex Crime Charges Demand a Serious Defense

Our legal team has successfully handled the most complex and high-profile cases in California.

Speak with a proven criminal defense lawyer today: (213) 688-0460

What Is the Sex Offender Registry?

People who have been convicted of a sex crime will typically have to register as sex offenders, which will require them to supply their personal information, including a photograph, fingerprints, address, and place of employment. This information will be publicly available, and inclusion on the registry can have a negative impact on a person’s ability to find employment.

In many jurisdictions, registrants are subject to restrictions that bar them from certain zones, such as near schools and parks. This means they are forbidden to live, work, or even enter particular areas of a city.

Being charged with a sex crime also carries a stigma that will adversely affect your personal and professional reputation and may linger long after you have served time.

Different Tiers for Sex Offenders

The California sex offender registry works as follows:

• Tier 1: Defendants convicted of the lowest level of sex offenses, such as indecent exposure, must register as sex offenders for 10 years.
• Tier 2: Defendants convicted of mid-level sex offenses must register for a minimum of 20 years. These offenses include lewdness with a minor under the age of 14.
• Tier 3: Defendants will most likely spend the rest of their lives on the sex offender registry, since this tier encompasses the most severe sex crimes, including rape, sexual assault on a child, and sex trafficking.

Removing Your Name From the Sex Offender Registry

Removing your name from the registry before your time is up can prove difficult. But with a highly skilled team of attorneys on your side, you may be successful. One option would be a dismissal of your case after you have finished a probation or jail/prison sentence. This may get the conviction off your record, but still require registration as a sex offender.

The second way to have your name removed is to obtain a California certificate of rehabilitation. While this may not take your conviction off the record, it would allow you to be removed from the sex offender registry.

Legal Defense Against Sex Crimes

Successfully defending a sex crime charge requires more than legal knowledge; it requires trial-tested experience, strategic precision, and the ability to dismantle emotionally charged accusations under the scrutiny of judges and juries.

We build comprehensive, aggressive defenses based on the facts and the law. Common defense strategies may include:

Consent

In many sexual assault cases, the central issue is not whether the encounter occurred, but whether it was consensual. We scrutinize the circumstances, history between the parties, and communication to show that the act was voluntary.

False Allegations

Some accusations stem from personal motives such as jealousy, revenge, child custody disputes, or public embarrassment. We investigate the accuser’s background, timeline, and credibility to uncover inconsistencies and expose ulterior motives.

Mistaken Identity

We challenge faulty identifications or witness confusion, often using phone records, digital forensics, surveillance footage, or alibi witnesses to prove the accused was not involved.

Lack of Evidence

Sex crime cases often rely on “he said, she said” accounts with no physical evidence. We emphasize this lack of corroboration and challenge the admissibility and reliability of forensic results.

Illegal Searches or Interrogations

If your rights were violated through unlawful search and seizure, coercive interrogation, or Miranda violations, we will move to suppress the evidence, which may lead to dismissal.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

Incredibly skilled and seasoned attorney - Alex B. (5-Star Avvo Review)

Fantastic defense attorney. Alan Jackson is an incredibly skilled and seasoned attorney. He has passion for his clients and the law and you would be a fool not to hire him.

I cannot thank him enough - Allen T. (5-Star Yelp Review)

Mark Werksman is a professional, educated, and articulate lawyer. He goes above and beyond to successfully represent his clients. He is full of wit and quick on his feet. Before I came to Mark, my mind was full of doubt with previous lawyers. One of them even told me there was nothing they could do to help me. Mark managed to settle my case beyond my expectations. He kept me updated with constant positive follow-ups. He stays on top of things and he strives to achieve nothing but the best results for all of his clients. I felt this every time I spoke with him. Thanks to Mark, the stress and worries are out the window. I cannot thank him enough. There are many lawyers out there. However, rationale, quick thinking, and intellect are rare. Mark meets the criteria for a top-notch lawyer.

Case Results

Case 1

Kelly Quinn and another attorney filed an appeal in the Court of Appeals of California, Second District, on behalf of a defendant who was convicted of two counts of committing a lewd and lascivious act on a 15-year-old girl. Mark and Kelly argued that the decision must be reversed because the jury convicted their client based on charges not established at the preliminary hearing. The Court of Appeals agreed and overturned the conviction.

Case 2

A Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP attorney represented a student who was suspended from the University of California San Diego based on an allegation of non-consensual sexual conduct. A Superior Court judge overturned the school’s decision to suspend him, and the judge found serious procedural flaws in the university’s handling of the case that were inherently unfair to the accused. Legal reporters say this ruling may have major implications in similar cases across the Nation.

Speak With a Trusted Sex Crime Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles

If you or a loved one is facing sex crime charges, contact our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers immediately. The sooner Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP can review your case, the more quickly we can build an effective and thorough defense.

Call us today at (213) 688-0460 to schedule a free consultation.

Sex Crime Defense FAQs

What should I do if I’m being investigated for a sex crime but haven’t been charged yet?

Do not speak to law enforcement without a lawyer. Investigators may already have a strategy in place and are looking for statements they can use against you. Contact our firm immediately. We can intervene early, protect your rights, and may even prevent charges from being filed.

What are the penalties for sex crime convictions in California?

Penalties vary by charge but can include lengthy prison sentences, mandatory lifetime sex offender registration, restraining orders, and permanent damage to your reputation. Many offenses carry "strike" consequences under California’s Three Strikes Law.

Will I have to register as a sex offender if I’m convicted?

In many cases, yes. California law mandates tiered sex offender registration for most sex crimes. The duration of registration (10 years, 20 years, or lifetime) depends on the specific offense and your criminal history. We fight to prevent registration wherever possible.

What if I already talked to the police before hiring a lawyer?

You still have the right to remain silent moving forward. Tell investigators you will no longer answer questions without your attorney present. Then contact us immediately. We’ll assess any damage done and develop a strategy to protect you.

Can your firm help if I’ve already been convicted?

Yes. We handle appeals, post-conviction motions, and writs of habeas corpus for clients who believe they were wrongly convicted or received an unfair trial. If legal errors or ineffective counsel occurred, we can fight to reverse the outcome.

Meet Out Attorneys

Mark J. Werksman

Mark J. Werksman is the founding partner of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP and one of California’s most highly regarded criminal defense attorneys. With nearly four decades of courtroom experience, Mark has built a reputation for aggressive, strategic, and successful defense in the most serious and complex criminal cases in both state and federal court.

Before founding the firm, Mark served as a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County and later as an Assistant United States Attorney, where he prosecuted major crimes at the federal level. This background gives him rare insight into the tactics and priorities of law enforcement, and a powerful advantage when defending clients against the government.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is a nationally recognized criminal trial attorney and a partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, where he defends clients facing the most serious charges in California and federal courts. With more than two decades of experience and over 80 jury trials to verdict, Alan is known for his exceptional courtroom presence, sharp legal instincts, and ability to win high-stakes cases under intense pressure.

Before entering private practice, Alan served as Assistant Head Deputy of the Major Crimes Division at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. In that role, he prosecuted some of the most complex and high-profile cases in California, including capital murder and celebrity-related trials.

Kelly Quinn

Kelly Quinn is a partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP and a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization—an honor held by only a small percentage of attorneys statewide. Her practice focuses on criminal appeals, writs, and complex post-conviction matters, where her legal precision and depth of knowledge have earned her a reputation as one of California’s most respected appellate advocates.

Kelly has successfully represented clients before the California Courts of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and in federal appellate courts. She is often called upon to identify legal errors in trial court proceedings, challenge unconstitutional convictions, and develop strategies for sentence reduction, reversal, or retrial.

Additional Information

• When Does Sexual Harassment Become Sexual Abuse?
• What You Need to Know About the Sex Offender Registry