Sexual Assault Attorney In Santa Barbara
Focused Defense When You Are Accused Of Sexual Assault
Being accused of sexual assault can turn your life upside down in a matter of hours. You may be facing arrest, an active investigation, or a first court date, and it can feel as if everyone has already made up their mind about what happened. In this situation, you need clear information, steady guidance, and a defense team that knows how these cases are built and fought in Santa Barbara.
At Appel & Morse, we defend people who are under investigation for, or charged with, serious sex offenses. Our firm is led by a husband and wife team of former prosecutors with over 40 years of combined criminal law experience, and we have been advocating for local clients since 2003. We understand how the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office reviews sexual assault allegations, and we use that insight to protect our clients at every stage of the case. We know you are likely worried about your future, your family, and your reputation. Our goal is to provide focused, nonjudgmental representation and to give you a clear plan for moving forward, starting with a free and confidential consultation.
Call Appel & Morse at (805) 467-6060 to schedule your consultation today, or get in touch with us online using our easy-to-use online contact form.
Why Turn To Our Team For Sexual Assault Defense
Choosing the right defense team matters when you are accused of a sex offense. These cases often turn on credibility, complex evidence, and high emotion, and the consequences can be severe. You need more than general criminal defense. You need lawyers who understand how these cases unfold in the real world and in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Our firm is led by a husband and wife team of former district attorneys who now dedicate their practice to criminal defense. Because we used to prosecute cases, we understand how the other side evaluates witness statements, physical evidence, and digital communications in sexual assault matters. We draw on that experience when we assess the strengths and weaknesses of the allegations against you and when we prepare to challenge the prosecution’s theory.
We bring more than 40 years of combined criminal law experience to every case, and we have handled thousands of criminal matters over the course of our careers. Since founding Appel & Morse in 2003, we have appeared regularly in Santa Barbara County Superior Court and have built strong working relationships within the local judicial system. This history gives us practical insight into how local judges and prosecutors tend to approach sex crime cases and plea negotiations.
We also manage our caseload intentionally. We focus on quality over quantity, which allows us to devote significant time and attention to complex and sensitive allegations. Clients work directly with our attorneys, not through layers of staff, and can reach us 24 hours a day for urgent concerns after an arrest or police contact. To make representation more accessible, we offer free consultations, flat fees in many cases, and payment plans that can be discussed privately with our team.
If You Are Accused Of Sexual Assault: Immediate Steps To Protect Yourself
The hours and days after an allegation surfaces are critical. What you do, and what you say, can affect how a case is charged and how it is ultimately resolved. Even if you believe the accusation is false or exaggerated, it is important to act carefully and deliberately.
Be Careful About Speaking To Law Enforcement
One of the most important steps is to avoid speaking with law enforcement or investigators without legal counsel. Detectives are trained to ask questions in a way that may seem casual but is often designed to lock you into statements that can be used later in court. You have the right to remain silent and the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning. Exercising those rights is not an admission of guilt. It is a way to protect yourself while we evaluate the situation and advise you.
Preserve Information That May Help Your Defense
It is also important to preserve information that could be relevant to your defense. This can include text messages, emails, social media posts, location data, and the names and contact details of people who were present before, during, or after the incident. Do not delete or alter potential evidence. Instead, gather and store it so that we can review it and determine what may help your case.
Avoid Contact With The Accuser
Avoid contacting the person who made the allegation, even if you feel tempted to explain your side. In many situations, protective or no-contact orders are issued quickly, sometimes as part of the criminal case or through a separate civil proceeding. Violating such orders can lead to additional charges and can hurt your position in court. We can review any documents you receive and explain what you are permitted to do.
Prepare For Early Court Dates
If you have been arrested, you may be booked into custody and may need to address bail before your release. If you are already out of custody with a pending court date, that first appearance will usually be your arraignment. In either situation, contacting our office promptly gives us more opportunity to influence early decisions, such as whether charges are filed as felonies or misdemeanors, what conditions are requested, and how information is presented to the court.
What You Are Really Facing In A Santa Barbara Sex Crime Case
Understanding what is at stake can help you make informed decisions. In California, sexual assault and related sex offenses cover a range of charges, from allegations involving unwanted touching to accusations of forced sexual acts. Each type of charge carries its own potential penalties, and the specific complaint in your case will depend on the facts alleged and how the prosecutor chooses to file.
Charges in this area can be filed as misdemeanors, felonies, or occasionally as wobblers, which are offenses that can be charged either way. Felony convictions often expose a person to a significant jail or prison term, while misdemeanors can still involve time in county jail, probation, mandatory counseling, fines, and restrictive conditions. The Santa Barbara County Superior Court generally oversees these criminal proceedings, and your case will move through a series of hearings that can include arraignment, pretrial conferences, and, if necessary, a jury trial.
Many sex crime convictions carry sex offender registration requirements under California law. Registration can limit where you are permitted to live, affect where you work, and require ongoing reporting to law enforcement. The specific registration period and rules depend on the statute of conviction and other factors, such as prior record. While we cannot change the law itself, we can evaluate how registration may apply in your case and work to pursue outcomes that may reduce or avoid long-term registration when possible.
Beyond criminal penalties, there are often serious collateral consequences. A conviction, or even a pending case, can put employment, professional licenses, or student status at risk. It may also trigger immigration concerns for non-citizens, including potential removal proceedings. In family law matters, a sex offense allegation can influence custody or visitation arrangements. Our role includes helping you understand these broader effects and factoring them into decisions about whether to negotiate, litigate, or explore alternative resolutions.
Every case is different, and no result can be promised. However, when you work with our firm, we draw on extensive experience in Santa Barbara courts to assess the realistic range of outcomes in your situation. We discuss these possibilities with you in detail so that you are not making decisions in the dark.
How Our Former Prosecutors Build A Sexual Assault Defense Strategy
Defending a sexual assault allegation takes careful, methodical work. Our approach is shaped by our years as prosecutors and our subsequent decades defending people accused of crimes. We start with a detailed review of the available information, then develop a strategy that fits the facts and your goals.
Thorough Case Review & Evidence Analysis
We typically begin by examining police reports, witness statements, and any physical or forensic evidence that has been documented. In sex cases, this can include medical examinations, toxicology results, photographs, and laboratory reports. We also review digital materials when they are part of the case, such as messages, social media activity, and phone records. Our goal is to identify inconsistencies, gaps, and alternative explanations that may not have been considered during the initial investigation.
Using Prosecutorial Insight To Anticipate The Case Against You
Because we served as district attorneys, we understand how prosecutors assess issues like consent, credibility, intoxication, and timing of reports. We use that perspective to anticipate how the state may present its case and to prepare ways to challenge those points. In some situations, we may recommend using investigators or other resources to locate additional witnesses, revisit the scene, or gather information that was overlooked. We discuss these options with you so you understand what steps we are taking and why.
Negotiation, Litigation & Tailored Strategy
Not every case goes to trial. Many sex offense cases are resolved through negotiation with the prosecuting attorney. Our background helps us evaluate when the state’s case appears strong, when significant weaknesses exist, and what kinds of proposals may be realistic in Santa Barbara. We work to pursue outcomes that align with your priorities, whether that is contesting the charges at trial, seeking reduced charges, or exploring other resolutions that may limit long term consequences.
Throughout this process, we keep communication open. We explain the legal issues in clear language and prepare you for each stage, from preliminary hearings or motions to possible testimony in court. We aim to build a defense that is both legally grounded and tailored to the specific details of your case, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Local Insight Into Santa Barbara Courts & Prosecutors
When your case is filed here, it will typically be handled in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. For many people, walking into that courthouse is unfamiliar and intimidating. Knowing what to expect and having a defense team that is familiar with the local system can reduce uncertainty and help you feel more prepared.
We have practiced in Santa Barbara since 2003 and appear regularly in the local criminal courts. Over the years, we have worked with many of the same judges, prosecutors, and court staff who are involved in sex crime cases today. While every case is evaluated on its own facts, our ongoing presence gives us a practical sense of how certain arguments, motions, and proposals are typically received in these courtrooms.
Sexual assault allegations in this area are often investigated by the Santa Barbara Police Department, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, or other law enforcement agencies, depending on where the alleged conduct occurred. We are familiar with their general procedures and the way reports and evidence tend to be compiled. This familiarity helps us identify when follow up investigation is needed or when the discovery appears incomplete.
The timeline of a case can vary based on court calendars, the complexity of the allegations, and whether there are pretrial motions or hearings. We keep clients informed about significant dates, explain the purpose of each appearance, and prepare you ahead of time so you know what may happen in the courtroom. Our local insight is one part of how we work to guide you through a challenging process in a system that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Accessible, Focused Representation When Everything Is On The Line
We understand that facing a sex crime charge is stressful on many levels, including practical concerns about time, cost, and privacy. We aim to make it as straightforward as possible to get reliable legal advice and to understand your options before you make important decisions.
We offer free, confidential consultations so you can talk openly about your situation without financial pressure. During this initial conversation, we listen to your account, review any paperwork you have received when possible, and outline the next steps you should consider. There is no obligation to hire us, and the information you share is protected by attorney client principles.
For clients who choose to move forward with our firm, we generally use flat fee arrangements in criminal cases and provide payment plan options that can be tailored to individual circumstances. Before you commit, we explain the fee structure and what it covers so you know what to expect. This approach helps reduce uncertainty about costs at a time when you may already be facing expenses related to bail, employment changes, or family needs.
Our caseload is deliberately limited so that we can devote the necessary time and attention to serious matters like sexual assault allegations. We remain accessible throughout the case, and clients can reach us 24 hours a day for urgent questions, especially immediately after police contact or an arrest. We conduct our work with discretion and without judgment, recognizing that every case has its own context and that allegations do not define who you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Talk To Police Before I Hire A Lawyer?
It is generally safer not to talk to the police about the facts of the accusation until you have spoken with a lawyer. Even if you believe you can clear things up, statements you make to detectives can be recorded, summarized, and used against you in court. You have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present during questioning. When you contact our firm, we can review what, if anything, has already been said, advise you on how to handle future contact, and, when appropriate, communicate directly with law enforcement on your behalf.
Will I Have To Register As A Sex Offender If I Am Convicted?
Some sex crime convictions in California do require sex offender registration, but not all charges carry the same registration consequences. Whether registration applies to your case depends on the specific statute you are convicted of, your prior record, and other factors. Registration can affect where you live, where you work, and your obligations to report to law enforcement. Part of our role is to evaluate your potential exposure, explain how registration could apply, and work to pursue case outcomes that may reduce or avoid long-term registration when the facts and law allow for that possibility.
How Can Your Former Prosecutor Background Help In My Sexual Assault Case?
Our former prosecutor background helps us see your case from both sides. As former district attorneys, we are familiar with how the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office reviews evidence, assesses witness credibility, and decides what charges to file. This experience allows us to anticipate how the prosecution may approach your case and to identify areas where their evidence may be vulnerable. When we negotiate or prepare for hearings and trial, we draw on this insight to shape strategies, frame arguments, and focus on the issues that are most likely to matter to the state and to the court.
What Happens At My First Court Appearance?
Your first court appearance in a criminal case is usually the arraignment, which typically takes place at Santa Barbara County Superior Court. At this hearing, the judge will inform you of the charges that have been filed, address issues of bail or release conditions, and ask for a plea of not guilty or, in rare situations, another plea. The court may also set future court dates, such as pretrial conferences or motion hearings. When you work with us, we appear with you, speak on your behalf, and advocate on issues like bail and scheduling. We also prepare you beforehand so you understand what to expect and what your role will be during the hearing.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Your Firm For A Sex Crime Case?
The cost of representation depends on factors such as the seriousness of the charges, the complexity of the evidence, and whether the case is likely to involve extensive hearings or a trial. We discuss these considerations with you during a free consultation so you have a clear picture of what your case may involve. In many criminal matters, we use flat fees so you know the total cost for the legal work we perform, and we offer payment plans that can help make representation more manageable. Our goal is to be transparent about fees so that the cost does not come as a surprise later in the process.
Will Anyone Find Out That I Contacted Your Office?
Contacting our office for a consultation is confidential. Communications between you and our attorneys for the purpose of seeking legal advice are generally protected by attorney-client rules. We do not share your information outside the firm without your permission, except in limited situations where the law may require disclosure, which we can explain if it is relevant. Reaching out to us does not become part of the public record, and speaking with a lawyer early can help you make careful decisions about what to say and to whom, regarding your situation.
What Should I Bring To My First Meeting With Your Team?
It helps to bring any documents you have related to the case, such as citation forms, charging documents, bail papers, restraining or protective orders, and any notices from the court or police. If you have copies of text messages, emails, or other communications you believe are important, you can bring those as well or let us know where they are stored. Having this information at the first meeting allows us to better understand the current status of the case and to give you more specific guidance. If you are not sure what to bring, you can call us beforehand, and we will walk you through it.
Talk With Our Team About Your Sexual Assault Case
If you are facing a sexual assault accusation, you do not have to navigate this alone. The decisions you make now can affect your freedom, your record, and your future relationships, and having informed legal guidance can make a real difference in how you move forward.
At Appel & Morse, our attorneys bring the perspective of former prosecutors, more than 40 years of combined experience, and deep roots in the local courts to your defense. We offer free, confidential consultations, flat fees in many cases, and payment plans, and we are available around the clock for urgent concerns. We encourage you to reach out before speaking further with law enforcement or appearing in court so that we can help you protect your rights from the start.
To discuss your situation with our team, call (805) 467-6060 today.
