Sex Crime Allegations in Silicon Valley: Protecting Your Rights
May 7, 2025 | Nafiz M. Ahmed
Allegations of sex crimes are serious and can cause significant damage to your reputation, business, career, family, and overall life. These offenses often come with steep punishments if convicted. By understanding your rights and having a sex crimes lawyer by your side, you can have a chance at a better outcome.
Your Rights When Facing Allegations of Sex Crimes
In California, a sex crime is any sexual activity that is non-consensual and may even be violent. California requires individuals to obtain consent, and sexual acts that violate this can be subject to misdemeanor or felony charges and years in prison.
If you have been arrested for a sex crime in Santa Clara County or San Mateo County, or you think you may be charged with one, you are never without rights. The duty of a police officer arresting any person is to follow certain protocols. If they do not, you can take advantage of their inability to do their job. Below is a closer look at your rights when accused or charged with a sex crime.
The Right to Remain Silent and Hire a Lawyer
You have probably heard about it on television, but your Miranda Rights officially take effect when law enforcement brings you into custody. This provides you with the right to remain silent and hire a lawyer to ensure nothing you say is used against you. Your lawyer will speak and negotiate charges on your behalf.
The Right to Due Process
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution provides you the right to due process to ensure your side is heard and weighed before a decision is reached. It also ensures that you are treated fairly and not deprived of your basic human rights. You also cannot be tried for the same crime twice.
The Right to a Speedy Trial
Your Sixth Amendment rights allow you the right to a speedy trial before a judge and jury of your peers. You also have the right to hear the charges against you and provide a defense and your own witnesses as part of that defense.
Right to Defend Yourself Against Charges
In addition to the rights above, you also have the right to challenge the evidence against you and demonstrate why you are not guilty of the accusations against you. Your lawyer will choose the most effective defense when building your case and presenting arguments against the prosecution’s evidence.
Affirmative Defenses
Your legal team will strategize defense plans if applicable to the facts of your case. For example, arguing that you were falsely accused of the crime or misidentified as the perpetrator. Another defense could consist of having an alibi that shows you were somewhere else at the time of the incident. If the activity was consensual or did not occur at all, this could also serve as a strong basis for your defense.
Constitutional Defenses
Cases can also be impacted by a lack of sufficient evidence or by violations of your constitutional rights during the investigation, arrest, or questioning process.
Legal Representation Is Key to Protecting Your Rights
Seek out legal help immediately when facing charges for a sex crime. A lawyer can devise a strong defense that will help minimize the impact of these accusations on your life and help get your charges reduced or dropped.
They will also work to keep you off the sex offender list. These types of crimes are very sensitive, and it is essential to hire a lawyer who has years of legal experience and knowledge.
Contact our Sex Crimes Law Firm of Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys Today For Help
For more information please contact our criminal defense law firm of Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys at the nearest location for a free consultation.
Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys – San Jose Office
1625 The Alameda, Suite 405, San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 217-8818
Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Redwood City Office
600 Allerton St Suite 201G, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 299-0500