California Statutory Rape Attorney

Sex with a minor under the age of consent is illegal in every state and is a horrendous crime that happens much too frequently. If you or your child was the victim of statutory rape, you can sue the perpetrator. Defendants in statutory rape suits can include adults or teenagers who are at least 3 years older than the underage victim.

At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we serve as a compassionate legal resource and are here to protect the interests of minors who have been victims of statutory rape. We can help you explore your options for a civil lawsuit to hold the perpetrator(s) accountable for their heinous actions and seek monetary compensation in court.

Why Choose Our Trusted California Statutory Rape Lawyers?

  • We have experience. You need a lawyer with experience handling the civil side of sex crimes, including rape and statutory rape, for an effective claim. Our lawyers have spent more than 20 years helping sexual assault survivors.
  • We understand the law. With our experience and professional legal resources, we have an in-depth understanding of California’s statutory rape laws. We can help you navigate these laws for a strong claim to damages.
  • We prioritize confidentiality. We understand how hard it can be to come forward about a crime such as statutory rape. Our law firm can protect your identity and keep it anonymous for 100% of your case if desired.

How Statutory Rape Is Handled in Criminal Versus Civil Court

Criminal and civil sexual abuse may encompass the same act, but legally, they are handled differently. The standard of proof is also different.

  • Criminal sexual abuse: This is prosecuted by a district attorney’s office as a criminal offense. The defendant is the older adult who is charged with sex acts with an underage minor. The criminal punishments for statutory rape may include fines, incarceration, probation, and mandatory sex offender registration for life. In criminal court, defendants must be found guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” meaning the judge and/or jury is suitably convinced of their guilt.
  • Civil sexual abuse: This involves the victim or his/her family directly bringing a lawsuit against the person who committed the sexual abuse. The purpose of a civil lawsuit is to recover damages for the victim’s pain and suffering. These cases are brought in civil court by a personal injury lawyer on behalf of the victim, and any applicable punishment against the defender is in the form of monetary damages, not incarceration. You can file a civil child sexual abuse lawsuit in California whether or not your statutory rape was prosecuted, even if it was prosecuted and the alleged offender was acquitted. To win a judgment in civil court, the offender must be found liable by a “preponderance” of evidence, which is a much lower standard than in criminal court.

Recovering Damages as a Sexual Abuse Survivor

You may be able to recover financial compensation if you are a survivor of rape in California. However, California has a statute of limitations on sexual crimes, meaning lawsuits must be brought within a certain time period from the date of the abuse. The statue is often different for a criminal versus civil lawsuit. In California, victims have until age 26 to bring a civil suit, and a criminal suit’s statute of limitations is 3 years.

What Is the First Step?

If you or your child is a survivor of statutory rape in California, the first step toward demanding justice is contacting an attorney at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi. We can walk you through the next steps to take, such as identifying the defendant(s) and filing your paperwork with the correct court before the deadline. You do not have to navigate the laws in California alone. We can help you understand your rights and options in the eyes of the civil courts. If we believe you are eligible for compensation, we will fight by your side for fair results.

Do not worry about exposing yourself or feeling vulnerable when contacting one of our attorneys. Our law firm focuses exclusively on sexual assault and abuse law. We understand precisely how to treat these claims and clients. We use the highest standards of confidentiality in all that we do. If it makes you more comfortable, we can keep your identity anonymous for the duration of your statutory rape case. Our California statutory rape attorneys can take care of all communications and interactions with the other side of the case so you do not have to face your perpetrator in person.

Who Could Be Held Responsible?

During a civil statutory rape case, the rapist and the overseeing institution – if any – could both share responsibility for your or a loved one’s damages. If the perpetrator was part of a school, youth program or church, for example, the institution could be vicariously responsible for the crimes against you or your child. You could also bring your case against the perpetrator as an individual; however, this may not lead to adequate compensation for your damages.

At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we know how to investigate cases to explore all potential identities of defendants. We will search for evidence of someone else’s fault besides the perpetrator for better odds of obtaining fair compensation. Then, we can handle the process of filing your initial claim against the defendant(s) in the right civil court in California on your behalf. Our California statutory rape lawyers will do everything in our power to assist you and your family during this troubling time.

What Can You Be Compensated For?

Bringing a civil statutory rape claim against one or more parties is important for many reasons. First, it could bring you and your loved ones closure and peace after a highly traumatic incident by holding the at-fault party accountable. Second, it could force the perpetrator and/or larger institution to do things differently in the future, possibly preventing other statutory rape crimes. Finally, it could bring your family much-needed compensation to see you through this difficult time.

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Emotional distress and psychological damages
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Fear, grief, depression or anxiety
  • Therapies and rehabilitation
  • Lost quality or enjoyment of life
  • Lost wages or benefits
  • Legal and attorney’s fees
  • Punitive damages

Our California statutory rape lawyers have worked hard over the years to obtain the types of results we believe our clients deserve. As attorneys who only accept cases in the sexual assault and harassment practice areas, we know precisely how to handle these claims to maximize each client’s odds of financial compensation. Our law firm has obtained over $2 billion for past clients. If we win your case, you could receive awards for many economic and noneconomic damages. Learn what your case could be worth today by requesting a free consultation.

Free Consultation With a Statutory Rape Lawyer in California

If you or a loved one are a victim of this serious crime, a California statutory rape lawyer can help you file a civil lawsuit against your abuser and help you seek damages by collecting financial compensation. Time is of the essence, so contact us as soon as possible for a free, confidential case evaluation. Because we work on a contingency fee-basis, consultations are free, and you won’t pay us anything until we win your case.

Contact us at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi at (800) 700-8450 today for compassionate legal representation.