Child Molest / Rape / Sexual Assault

Being accused of assaulting or molesting a child can destroy someone’s professional and personal life. Many people assume that anyone charged with child molest must be guilty. The stigma associated with these crimes can be enough to destroy your career, your marriage, and your reputation in your community. Jessica Agnich understands that not everyone who is accused of these charges is guilty. There are verifiable examples of cases in which false child molest accusations have been made and later retracted or proved false, including (among many possible examples) this case involving a teacher / coach and the well-known Los Angeles McMartin preschool trial. The legal consequences of these charges can be extremely severe if the allegations result in a conviction. Most molest or lewd acts charges involve sex offender registration, and limitations on where a person can live or work. In the event of a conviction, many of these charges carry a mandated prison sentence with no probation unless there are unusual circumstances. Furthermore, some of these charges are punishable by life in prison. Possibly more than any other type of case, it is paramount to have an attorney who is specifically skilled and experienced with sex offense cases defending your case. Knowledge of credit limitations, probation eligibility, required consecutive sentencing, and sex offender registration is essential. Hiring an attorney who is an experienced litigator is also very important because these cases often go to jury trial. Jessica Agnich has extensive experience litigating child molest, rape, and statutory rape cases. Although these cases are very difficult to win, Jessica has had success fighting these charges in court and in trial. See some of Jessica’s case results, below:

client acquitted of lewd acts offense

After jury trial, the client was acquitted of a lewd acts offense that would have resulted in lifetime sex offender registration. Read press coverage...

client walks in sixteen count sexual molest case

After two years of fighting the case and nine weeks of jury trial, the client was found not guilty of all sixteen counts in sexual molest case. If convicted, the maximum exposure was over forty years in prison. See the verdict form...

investigation in sexual assault case leads to dismissal

Client was arrested for assault to commit rape. After investigation revealed significant impeachment materials on the alleged victim and suggested that the firm’s client was innocent, the District Attorney’s Office agreed to dismiss the case just before trial.

client acquitted of continuing sexual abuse of a minor

The client was facing sixteen years in prison, potential lifetime sex offender registration, and potential deportation proceedings for charges of continuing sexual abuse of a minor. A jury found him not guilty and he was released from custody. See the verdict form…

rape and statutory rape charges dismissed

After aggressive pretrial motions and extensive investigation, all charges were dismissed against a client looking at statutory rape and rape charges. See the court record…

legal consultation with a san mateo county criminal defense attorney

california certified criminal law specialist jessica agnich

Jessica Agnich is a criminal defense attorney located in San Mateo County. She is a criminal law specialist certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. This distinction requires that the applicant have knowledge of many criminal legal areas, including child molest or sex assault cases. Jessica also attends legal trainings specifically addressing legal concepts related to this complex and evolving field of law. The presumption of innocence and the District Attorney’s burden to prove their case do not disappear just because of the type of charge a person is facing. It is important to have an advocate experienced with child molest or lewd acts cases defending your case. If you are being accused of a sexual assault or molest and no charges have yet been filed, you should consider hiring an attorney before charges are filed. Pre-filing representation is particularly important in child molest or lewd acts cases, because of the nature of these police investigations. Also see the FAQ page for further information about NOT making statements to the police, accusers, family of accusers, or anyone else if you are a suspect in a criminal investigation. If you or a loved one are being accused of a sexual offense and charges have been filed, contact the Law Office of Jessica Agnich to set up a free legal consultation.