One big concern people have when they search for an attorney if they're charged with some sex crime or sex offense is how much money it will cost.

I've been doing this for 30 years and have handled thousands of sex crime cases, and I think I charge a pretty fair price. I will give you some ideas of the factors I look at when deciding what I'm going to charge.  

First, we look at crime. How serious is the crime? The more serious the crime, the more difficult it will probably be to resolved. We might have to fight the case. 

It may not be a situation where we're strictly negotiating mitigation information.  If you have to fight the case in court through motions, a preliminary hearing, and even a trial, that's more time-consuming and will cost more money. 

If the crime is severe, it will be much more challenging to resolve with the prosecutors than the defense and the prosecution. Our California criminal defense lawyers will examine this topic more closely below.

Where is the Case Prosecuted?

Another factor for me is the location.  In other words, where is the case?  People say my case is in Los Angeles County Superior Court.  At one point, when I was practicing, there were over 40 courts in Los Angeles county, so depending on which one the case was in, that would dictate my price. 

There are approximately 25 because they've closed many courts and consolidated them.  But still, I want to know where the case is.  Is it in Lancaster?  Is it in Long Beach?  Is it somewhere in between? 

My main office is in Los Angeles county, but depending on which case is in, how difficult I perceive the prosecutors and the judges, and even how far it is from my main office, that's going to dictate what I charge.

What Type of Sex Crimes Are You Charged With?

As noted, the type of crime you face is a primary factor determining your law. Some sex crimes are “wobblers” that can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, while the more severe crimes are always a felony with harsher penalties.  The most common sex crime charges in California include:

• Penal Code 243.4 PC - sexual battery,
• Penal Code 261 PC – rape,
• Penal Code 261.5 PC – statutory rape,
• Penal Code 288.5 PC - continuous sexual abuse of a child,
• Penal Code 289 PC - forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object,
• Penal Code 266h and 266i PC – pimping and pandering,
• Penal Code 288.4 PC – arrange a meeting with minor,
• Penal Code 288.2 PC – send the harmful matter to seduce a minor,
• Penal Code 288.3 PC - contacting minor to commit a felony,
• Penal Code 311 PC – child pornography,
• Penal Code 647.6 PC – child molestation,
• Penal Code 288 PC – lewd acts with minor,
• Penal Code 288a PC – oral copulation with a minor,
• Penal Code 290 PC – failure to register as a sex offender,
• Penal Code 314 PC – indecent exposure,
• Penal Code 647(b) PC - solicitation of prostitution,
• Penal Code 647(a) PC – lewd conduct in public,
• Penal Code 647(J)(4) PC – revenge porn,
• Penal Code 653.22 PC - loitering for prostitution,
• Penal Code 653.23 PC - supervising or aiding prostitution.

Reviewing Your Case During a Free Consultation

So, I think your best bet if you're looking for an attorney and you or a loved one is being charged with a sex offense, in my opinion, you want to get the best attorney that you can afford. 

You don't want to settle for some cheap attorney because what will end up happening is that you're going to get a horrible result.  What's the point in hiring a lawyer if you're not going to handle a good one, and most of the good lawyers will charge you?

I usually have you come in.  It's typically a free consultation.  We'll review the whole case if you're serious about hiring an attorney.  I'll ask all of my questions.  I'll let you ask all of your questions, and then I'll quote you a fee.

If you think that is something you can cover, you think it's reasonable, you'll retain me, and I'll start working on the case and, of course, do everything I can to help you. There are countless examples of potential legal defenses, but they will always depend on the details of the case. Some defenses are:

• You are not the one who committed this crime;
• What evidence does the prosecutor have?
• Do they have DNA?
• Do they have witnesses?
• Do they have video evidence?
• Was the alleged sexual activity consensual?

Sometimes people claim individuals did things, but they have ulterior motives behind their claims. Another defense is intoxication.  People go out on a date, and one or both get very intoxicated. They have sex, and now the person wakes up in the morning and says that that individual took advantage of me. 

So, some of these defenses will be designed around what type of case you have, what the allegations are, and what happened in a particular case. 

Contact the Criminal Lawyers at the Hedding Law Firm for Help

I do think my prices are fair.  I know what other lawyers charge for particular crimes.  Some lawyers charge astronomical fees, and I don't understand why they do that, other than I guess they figure they can charge an astronomical price if a small percentage of people retain them.

Then, they'll get a lot of money on the case versus other lawyers who are a little bit fairer, looking at all of the facts and circumstances of the case – really trying to help people – those people are going to charge you a much more reasonable fee.

So, if you or a loved one wants the best, I've worked for the District Attorney's office in East LA; I've worked for a superior court judge, and then, in 1994, I began defending people like you.

Pick up the phone.  Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding.  I'll give you a free consultation.  We'll go over everything, and I'll give you a fair price to represent you or your loved one. The Hedding Law Firm provides a free case evaluation by phone or use the contact form.