Melanie N. Roe - Indio Sex Crime Lawyer
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Melanie Roe is recognized as one of the most successful criminal defense attorneys serving Indio, Palm Springs and all of Riverside County …
Melanie N. Roe – Attorney At Law
Southern California Criminal Defense Attorney
Serving Indio, Palm Springs and Riverside County
Indio Sex Crime Attorney
Facing accusations of sex crimes carries incredibly high stakes. If you are found guilty, your life can drastically change. Not only will a conviction impact your current reputation and result in possible jail time, but it will also affect your future reputation and freedoms. Even if you are truly innocent, a conviction can be devastating. For this reason, it is vital to obtain the legal help of an Indio sex crime lawyer.
While you are not required to have a lawyer to defend you in court, sex crime cases can be difficult to handle without legal help because of the intricacies and complexities of the laws. In these cases, it can be beneficial to take extra precautions in order to secure your innocence. An experienced lawyer can make a great difference in the outcome of your case.
What Crimes Are Considered Sex Crimes?
Sex crimes is a general term that refers to any criminal activity that includes a sexual component. Sex crimes are non-consensual, meaning that the victim did not or could not comply with the actions that were forced upon them. These crimes can take many forms, including:
- Rape: This is non-consensual sexual intercourse. Victims are forced into this action through fear, intimidation, or force.
- Child Pornography: It is illegal to view, film, share, distribute, or own child pornography. Any of these actions is considered a crime.
- Sexual Assault: This is any form of sexual contact that is unwanted by the victim.
- Sexual Harassment: This is a term that often applies to unwanted sexual advances made in the workplace or other professional environments.
- Child Molestation: Any form of sexual contact with a minor is considered a sex crime.
- Indecent Exposure: This refers to revealing oneself to another person in a public place.
Felony or Misdemeanor?
In many cases, sex crimes are classified as felonies because of the severity of their nature. However, there are some instances in which a sex crime may be classified as a misdemeanor. One example of this is sexual battery, which is non-penetrative sexual touching. While not all sexual battery falls in the misdemeanor category, specific instances of it may. For legal help you can contact assault lawyer in Indio, CA.
Factors that are considered when trying to classify a sex crime include the following:
- Nature of the crime: If the crime was carried out in an aggravated or excessively aggressive manner, it may be classified as a felony.
- The presence or absence of minors: If a minor is included in the sex crime, it can be expected to be tried as a felony case.
- Additional factors such as the age of the offender and their criminal history are also often taken into consideration.
How a Lawyer Can Defend You
There are various defense options that a defense attorney may pursue. Depending on the particulars of the case, any of these defenses may be applicable:
- The sexual activity was consensual: In some cases, it may be difficult for the prosecution to truly determine that the sexual activity was forced. To be classified as a crime, the absence of consent must be proven.
- Proving insufficient evidence: An allegation is almost powerless without some amount of evidence.
- Arguing false accusations: In some cases, sex crimes are falsely charged. There may be various motives for this, but it can be a reasonable defense in the right circumstances.
- Arguing mistaken identity: In some cases involving sex crimes, it may not be completely clear who the offender was. An experienced lawyer will fight to protect your innocence, especially when the prosecution is unsure of the identity of the offender.
FAQs About Indio, CA Sex Crime Law
How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in California?
The cost of a criminal lawyer in California will vary depending on numerous factors. Not all lawyers charge their clients in the same way. For example, some lawyers charge by the hour, while others have set flat rates based on the services they provide. Additionally, the amount of time and work that a lawyer must put into a case may increase or decrease the overall cost.
Is There a Statute of Limitations on Sex Crimes in California?
There is a statute of limitations on sex crimes in California. According to PC 801.1, a person must be charged by the time they have reached the age of 40 if they were under the age of 18 at the time of the offense or within ten years of the offense if they were an adult at the time. There are scenarios in which this time frame may be altered, such as if there is DNA evidence found.
What Is a Sex Crime Investigator?
A sex crimes investigator is a legal professional who investigates sexual criminal activity. They may take on various tasks to determine what happened, such as visiting the crime scene, interviewing witnesses or any other involved individual, and working alongside the prosecutor or defense attorney. Sex crime investigators may work on cases involving any sexual component, including rape, sexual assault, molestation, pornography, and others.
What Are the Penalties for Sex Crimes in California?
The penalty a person may face if they are found guilty of a sex crime in Indio, California will depend on what crime they committed as well as whether they had any prior convictions. The common penalties include jail or prison time, fines, being required to register as a sex offender, and the loss of certain rights. The punishments for sex crimes are often harsh, which is why it is important to find an experienced lawyer who can defend your case.
Contact Indio Sex Crime Lawyer
Simply being charged with a sex crime can cause tremendous upheaval in both your personal and professional life. These crimes are often treated harshly, even before a conviction. If you have been accused of a sex crime, it is important to secure legal help as soon as possible.
Our team understands the difficulties of preparing such a defense and can answer any questions you may have. Her extensive experience in defending similar clients can be of great help to your case. Contact the team at Melanie N. Roe, Criminal Defense Attorney to learn more about how you can take the first steps in legally preparing a strong defense.
A True Guardian Angel
I was charged with two counts of child molestation by the government when I was accused of inappropriate touching while at my job one day which was a year before the charges where filed against me. After three and a half years of this nightmare hanging over my head Melanie Roe fought the case for me and paid strict attention to every small detail even planning an appeal for me before the trial began when the government violated my constitutional right to a speedy trial. She stood with me in court even though she had to cancel her vacation plans due to the fact of the government always wanting continuances and the courthouse having a hard time having to find a room to have the trial in. She was very professional and a true defender of my rights in and out of the courtroom. She persuaded the jury that the government failed to prove the false accusations I was criminally charged with and they returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty on both counts. If you are ever accused of a crime or know a loved one that has been accused do not ever go talk to the police even when asked by them. They are not looking out for you or will give you the benefit of the doubt at all. First go talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney, preferably Melanie Roe; and she will fight her hardest to see that you or a loved one are treated fairly by a system that is too often willing to overlook your individual rights for the easiest way to convict and add more meat for the criminal justice system grinder.
More About Melanie Roe, Criminal Defense Attorney
SCHOOL
Whittier College School of Law
University of California, Los Angeles
MAJOR
LAW
Political Science
DEGREE
JD - Juris Doctor
BA - Bachelor of Arts
GRADUATED
1990
1987
Melanie Roe's Experience:
- ZStone & Hiles, Beverly Hills, California (Associate);
- ZWard, Kroll & Jampol, Beverly Hills, California (Senior Associate);
- ZBerman & Roe, Los Angeles, California (General Partner);
- ZRiverside County Public Defender, Indio, California (Deputy Public Defender);
- ZKennedy & Roe, Palm Springs, California (General Partner).
- ZMelanie Roe For The Defense ( Attorney/Owner )
- ZDesert Conflict Panel ( Appointed Counsel )
Melanie Roe's Qualifications:
- ZAdmitted to the Bar, State of California, 1991
- ZSupreme Court of the United States
- ZU.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- ZU.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- ZU.S. Court of Veterans’ Appeals
- ZU.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims
- ZU.S. District Court, Central and Southern Districts of California
Melanie Roe's Practice Areas:
- ZCriminal Law
- ZCrimes Of Violence
- ZDUI / DWI
- ZDomestic Violence
- ZSex Crimes
- ZAssault / Homicide
- ZPolice Misconduct
- ZCivil Rights Violations
- ZExcessive Force
Melanie Roe Accolades:
Avvo.com, a private online attorney rating service has rated Attorney Roe with a ‘SUPERB – 10” rating, the highest possible rating achievable by an attorney.
Additionally, since 2013, The National Trial Lawyers has named Attorney Roe as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Criminal Defense in the State of California based on her performance as an exceptional trial lawyer in the practice area of criminal defense law. The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers is a premier group of attorneys who practice criminal defense or civil plaintiff law in California. Members must exemplify not only superior qualifications and trial results but also leadership in their respective states or major geographical areas.
Since 2012, Attorney Roe has been named one of the Top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers, by a specialty association of The National Trial Lawyers. This association is composed of distinguished individuals who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, representation, influence, stature, and public profile and whose membership is invitation-only
Attorney Roe has also been lauded as a Top Lawyer in Criminal Defense in the Coachella Valley by Palm Springs Life Magazine, every year since 2013.
In 2012 and 2016, she received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award for receiving 5 out of 5 stars on all client reviews and the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award in 2012 for having earned a Client Review Rating Score of 4.5 or higher on a scale of 1-5. The latter award recognized her excellence in quality of service, communication ability, responsiveness, and value for money. Less than 4% of the 900,000+ attorneys listed on martindale.com and lawyers.com have been accorded this enviable Martindale-Hubbell honor of distinction.
Melanie Roe Awards:
AWARD NAME
Numerous Golden Spike Awards for Acquittals (2000-2006)
AWARD NAME
AVVO
AWARD NAME
Martindale-Hubbell*
*Score of 4.5 or higher on a scale of 1-5. Less than 4% of the 900,000+ attorneys listed on martindale.com and lawyers.com have been accorded this Martindale-Hubbell honor of distinction.
GRANTING ORGANIZATION
Law Offices of the Public Defender, Riverside County
GRANTING ORGANIZATION
Client's Choice Award 2012
GRANTING ORGANIZATION
Client Distinction Aware - 4.5% Rating
DATE
2000-2006
DATE
October 28th, 2012
DATE
October 3rd, 2012