Los Angeles Sex Offender Stigma And Its Implications

Posted on: February 14, 2010 at 2:10 a.m.

Being convicted of a Los Angeles sex crime can change a person’s entire life in more ways than one. Not only can it affect what one is allowed to do and not do, but it can also change a person emotionally and physically as well.

Take for example, Ricky Blackman of Oklahoma, a Tier 3 offender on Oklahoma’s sex offender registry. Blackman was a sociable, outgoing teenager, but that all changed when he was convicted for having sex with a 13-year-old girl he believed was 15. Blackman was 16 at the time and the sex offender followed him for years after the incident. This affected Blackman severely as he was unable to attend high school, go to his younger brother’s football games or visit the town library.

His mother, Mary Duval, says that Blackman is not the same person he was before the incident, “He was so fun-loving and just full of life. I mean there’s no other word. Ricky was full of life and now he’s definitely more cautious, more reserved.”

Blackman lived with the "sex offender" label for nearly four years, until a law that took effect in Oklahoma in November removed his name from the registry.

After his conviction, Blackman's family moved to Oklahoma where he finished his probation and sex offender treatment. His record was expunged in Iowa, but the same was not the case in Oklahoma; Blackman continued to be on the sex offender registry there.

Blackman had to comply with state residency restrictions that prevent registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or day care center and his attempts to enroll in high school were unsuccessful because he considered a danger to the rest of the students.

Another aspect of Blackman’s life that became difficult was finding a job. He was continually turned town by employers such as Wal-Mart, McDonald's and another fast food restaurants.

"I know what I did was wrong and I deserved to be punished for it. But this destroyed my life. Took it away from me," said Blackman.

Like Blackman, many sex offenders face the same hurdles in California. The stigma that follows sex offenders can take a heavy toll on their lives, but there is something you can do about it. If you have been charged with a Los Angeles sex crime, contact the Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP immediately. Our Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney team has more than 50 years of courtroom experience and will fight on your behalf to protect your rights. Contact us at 1-877-781-1570 or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com for more information on Los Angeles sex crimes and what we can do for you.

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Los Angeles Sex Crimes And Housing Issues

Posted on: February 3, 2010 at 6:36 p.m.

Any Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney understands there is much more at stake for a defendant in a sex crime case than just jail time. There is a new "Scarlet Letter" that is painted on the record of anyone convicted of a sex crime in California, and it takes the most skilled Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney teams to be able to clear a person's name.

On Monday, the California Supreme Court upheld residency restrictions for sex offenders, ruling that thousands may be barred from living near schools and parks.

The 5-2 decision permits California to continue enforcing residency restrictions on thousands of sex offenders who were paroled after Proposition 83 took effect in November 2006. The decision will also allow California to enforce the residency restrictions on those who were convicted years before the law took effect.

Proposition 83, also known as “Jessica’s Law”, bans sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools or parks where there are children present.

Four sex offenders on parole challenged the law, saying that there was no place in which to live and be in compliance of the law in the cities to which they had been paroled. Although the four parolees were convicted before Proposition 83 passed, the decision will require them to adhere to the residency rules that were put in place after Proposition 83 was passed.

In densely populated cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, it is difficult for sex offenders to comply with the rules because of the proximity of schools and parks to housing. Offenders do have the right to challenge the residency rules before a judge if they have a legitimate claim of not having a place to live due to the residency restrictions. The main defense that an accused sex offender can have, however, is staying off of sex offender registry lists in the first place. A sex offense charge can have serious consequences, including the housing issues mentioned above, so avoiding a sex offender registry list altogether is the best defense against these consequences.

If you have been charged of a Los Angeles sex crime, you need a Los Angeles sex crime attorney team on your side to protect your rights at all times. The proximity of schools and parks to housing in Los Angeles makes it difficult for sex offenders to comply with the residency rules placed upon them. Having a knowledgeable and professional team on your side will prove to be beneficial to you as housing becomes increasingly scarce for registered sex offenders. The Los Angeles sex crime attorney team at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP can help protect your rights as a parolee and will fight to keep you off of sex offender registry lists so that you can live your life as normally as possible. Contact us immediately at 1-877-781-1570 or visit our website at www.keglawyers.com for more information on Los Angeles sex crimes and how our Los Angeles sex crime attorney team can help you in your time of need.

Tagged as: los angeles sex crime, los angeles sex crime defense attorney, los angeles criminal defense attorney

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Los Angeles Comedian Arrested for Sexual Assault

Posted on: January 27, 2010 at 4:22 p.m.

Comedian and actor Andy Dick was arrested in West Virginia this past Saturday after police say he sexually assaulted two men at a bar. Dick, who was scheduled to perform at a comedy club in Huntington, West Virginia, is accused of grabbing the bouncer’s crotch and later groping and kissing another male patron in the very early morning hours on January 23rd. Dick was arrested and later released after posting $60,000 bail. Police have charged the comedian with two felony counts of sexual abuse. Dick’s next hearing is scheduled for February 2nd.

This latest arrest is one of a long history of bad behavior for the comedian. Dick has been arrested numerous times on both drug and alcohol-related charges, as well as being arrested for several other related sex offense incidents. In 2007 Dick was forcibly removed from the Los Angeles set during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live after repeatedly touching fellow guest Ivanka Trump. In 2008 the comedian was arrested on suspicion of drug possession and sexual battery after pulling down the blouse of a 17 year-old girl, exposing her breasts. In 2009 Dick appeared on Sober House, a spin-off of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in an attempt to deal with his excessive drinking habits.

While Dick’s latest brush with the law occurred in West Virginia, sex offenses are taken no less seriously in Los Angeles. Sex crimes by their very natures can easily derail a person’s life. While what classifies as a sex crime can vary from illegal possession of pornography to sexual assault or battery to rape, most sex crimes in Los Angeles are considered felony criminal offenses. Being convicted of a sex crime in Los Angeles also very often means being required to register with the state’s sex offender registry. This registry is online and available for the public to view, effectively punishing those convicted of sex crimes long after their jail sentences or other punishments are completed. Being convicted of a felony criminal offense in Los Angeles can also limit your choices in looking for work or finding a place to live. Being convicted of certain sex crimes may make finding a decent home even more difficult by placing restrictions on how close you may live to schools, parks or even bus stops.

If you have been charged with a sex offense in Los Angeles, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Our attorneys have decades of combined courtroom experience in successfully defending against sex offense charges. Let us fight for you.

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Evangelist Sentenced to Prison for Sex Crimes

Posted on: November 16, 2009 at 2:02 a.m.

A Los Angeles sex crime is a serious crime, and if you are accused, you need a highly skilled Los Angeles sex crime defense attorney. Anyone convicted of a Los Angeles sex crime could face decades in prison, a life time on the sex offender registry and other penalties.

For example, Tony Alamo, an evangelical pastor, was sentenced to 175 years in federal prison on November 13 for taking underage girls across state lines for sex. Alamo, 75, was convicted on a 10-count federal indictment in July.

The emotionally charged testimony featured some of Alamo’s victims explaining the detrimental effects that Alamo had on their lives and the lives of their families.

U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes said Alamo used his status as father figure and pastor and threatened the girls with the loss of their salvation.

"Mr. Alamo, one day you will face a higher a greater judge than me, may he have mercy on your soul," Barnes said.

Alamo was accused of taking several child “brides” across state lines in order to sexually molest them. One of the victims that Alamo took as a “bride” at age 8 testified at the hearing.

“You have the audacity to ask for mercy? What mercy did you show us?” she said.

The victim also said that she now plans to become an FBI agent in order to help other child sex abuse victims.

Although Alamo’s lawyers plan to appeal Barnes’ ruling, Alamo will stay in Texarkana pending a Jan. 13 hearing. After that hearing, Alamo will be placed in federal prison to begin his sentence. Alamo has been sentenced to 175 years in prison on the basis that he molested several children throughout the years. There has been a string of Los Angeles sex crimes that have convicted criminals and carried heavy prison sentences as well. A Los Angeles sex crime is a serious allegation and one which requires highly trained professionals to combat in court.

Although the incident occurred in Arkansas and several other states, a Los Angeles sex crime can carry similar consequences. Los Angeles sex crime cases are highly complex and emotionally charged; they can result in biased jury selection and evidence. The nature of sex crime cases can effectively swing the pendulum against you if you use an ineffective defense tactic. An experienced Los Angeles sex crime attorney can assure you of a fair trial and will fight on your behalf to prove your innocence.

If you have been charged with, or accused of, a Los Angeles sex crime, contact the Los Angeles sex crime defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin at 877-781-1570.

Tagged as: los angeles sex crime, los angeles sex crime defense attorney, los angeles criminal defense attorney

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Los Angeles Sex Crime Shocks Community

Posted on: October 31, 2009 at 9:24 p.m.

A recent rape has shocked the city, surrounding areas and school administrators. Three teens in Richmond California were arrested on charges of gang raping a 15-year-old girl outside a high school dance while as many as two dozen people stood around watching and not calling the police. The defendants are all under 18 and did not enter pleas in their case. The case is so serious that the defendants wore bullet proof vests in court for fear that they could be shot.

A los angeles sex crime such as this could lead to decades in prison for any defendants, including those under the age of 18. These individuals were reportedly recorded on cell phones, with people standing around laughing during the incident. These individuals are charged with an assort of crimes, including rape, sexual penetration with a foreign object, robbery and assault causing great bodily harm. los angeles sex crime attorneys in such cases would have to work incredibly hard to prove innocence, since the jury, public and even the courts would be biased in such a salacious case.

While this incident happened in Northern California, los angeles sex crime cases can be no less publicized by the press. Having a skilled los angeles sex crime defense attorney working for you can help protect against a biased court, biased jury and intense public scrutiny. For example, even though this case is being made very public, the evidence has yet to be examined and the trial has yet to happen. These individuals are worthy of a fair trial under the U.S. Constitution, which people often forget in such a case. A los angeles sex crime defense attorney will work aggressively to prove your innocence and protect your freedom.

If you've been charged with, or accused of, a los angeles sex crime, contact the Los Angeles sex crime defense attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin at 877-781-1570.

Tagged as: los angeles sex crime, los angeles sex crime defense attorney

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