There are so many different charges that you could be facing if you are convicted of a crime. Assault and battery are two similar (but also very different) charges. Add in a sexual crime and it can be even more confusing.
If you have been charged with sexual battery, it is important that you know exactly what you are being accused of.
So, what is sexual battery?
Basically, sexual battery is any unwanted sexual physical contact. However, the following need to apply in order to be considered sexual battery.
- Sexual battery is unwanted.
- These touches need to be made for sexual arousal, gratification, or even abuse.
- It doesn't matter if the victim is wearing clothes or not.
- Sexual battery is not a form of rape. It doesn't involve penetration or intercourse.
If you go farther than just touching, you may be looking at an aggravated sexual battery charge.
What is aggravated sexual battery?
In order to be considered an aggravated version, one or more of the following must occur.
- Force is used in an aggravated sexual battery. This may include just physical force, though a weapon might be used.
- Often, the victim does get harmed in some way.
- There may be more than one person involved in the crime. One person may hold the victim down so that the other one can touch him or her.
- Aggravated sexual battery is often considered when the victim is a minor, disabled, mentally ill, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you find yourself in legal trouble, you are going to need a good lawyer.
Call Us! We Can Help.
Since 1999, we have represented many individuals who were arrested for sexual battery and other sex-related offenses arising from Temecula, Menifee, Murrieta, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Perris, Corona and the surrounding Riverside County cities.
Don’t wait to contact us; see what the Law Office of Nicolai Cocis can do for you. Don’t let one mistake change your whole life.