Former Rep. Anthony Weiner has pleaded guilty of charges that he transferred obscene material to a minor. Weiner will now be required to register as a sex offender.
Anthony Weiner Has Pleaded Guilty
As Weiner, 52, made an emotional statement, he also mentioned he has been seeking treatment.
“I accept full responsibility for my conduct. I have a sickness, but I do not have an excuse,” Weiner said. “I entered intensive treatment, found the courage to take a moral inventory of my defects, and began a program of recovery and mental health treatment that I continue to follow every day.”
As part of his plea agreement, Weiner will forfeit his iPhone, surrender his passport, continue his already on-going mental health treatment, and has been barred from having any contact with the minor.
“Today, former Congressman Anthony Weiner admitted and pled guilty to sending sexually explicit images and directions to engage in sexual conduct to a girl he knew to be 15 years old,” said acting US Attorney Joon H. Kim of the Southern District of New York. “Weiner’s conduct was not only reprehensible, but a federal crime, one for which he is now convicted and will be sentenced.”
On Bail Pending Sentencing
According to a press release, Weiner was released on bail pending sentencing. That sentencing date is scheduled for September 8. It has been recommended, and agreed to by Weiner’s counsel that he receive between 21 and 27 months imprisonment. Ultimately it will be up to a judge to decide the final prison terms.
According to Weiner’s statement in court, he was first contacted by the girl in January 2016 and that for the following two months, he “engaged in obscene communications with this teenager, including sharing explicit images and encouraging her to engage in sexually explicit conduct, just as I had done and continued to do with adult women.”
“I knew this was as morally wrong, as it was unlawful,” he said. “This fall, I came to grips for the first time with the depths of my sickness. I had hit bottom.”
Arlo Devlin-Brown, an attorney at Covington & Burling who is representing Weiner, said the disgraced congressman accepted “full responsibility” for his “inappropriate” actions. Allegations that Weiner had been “sexting” an underage girl began appearing last September. In a statement made at the time, Weiner neither confirmed or denied that he had sent the texts.
“I have repeatedly demonstrated terrible judgment about the people I have communicated with online and the things I have sent. I am filled with regret and heartbroken for those I have hurt,” he said.
Weiner was forced to leave Congress in June 2011 when it was revealed that he was exchanging sexually-charged, sometimes explicit, texts with women other than his then wife.
San Diego Sex Crimes Lawyer
Because of the sexual nature of some crimes they are covered under very specific laws. Being charged with a crime such as this alters and changes your life in profound ways forever. Even though 95% of sex crime arrests are for first time offenses, judges and prosecutors vigorously enforce the sex crime statutes. Under Megan’s Law, sex crime has a special stigma and requires mandatory reporting and registering as a sex offender. Speaking with an experience San Diego Sex Crimes Lawyer is essential. Our San Diego Sex Crimes Attorneys Represent the Following Sex Crimes in San Diego:
- Forcible Rape
- Statutory Rape
- Prostitution Offenses
- Sexual Assault
- Pimping
- Child Pornography
- Urinating in Public
- Sodomy
- Child Molestation
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Lewd Or Lascivious Acts
- Sexual Harassment
- Seduction of a Minor
- Exhibitionism
- Contact of Minor w/Intent to Commit Sexual Offense
- Sexual Abuse of a Child
- Indecent Exposure and Lewd or Obscene Conduct
- Minor Sexting
- Oral Copulation
- Federal Child Pornography
- Human Trafficking
Indecent Exposure Sex Crime and Penalties
Under Penal Code 314 PC “indecent exposure” is a sex crime and defined as the “willful exposing of genitals to somebody else, motivated by a desire for sexual gratification or to offend the other person.” Like other sex crimes, convictions for indecent exposure carry harsh penalties as well as life-changing consequences which include steep fines, long jail sentences, and many times the requirement of registering as a sex offender for the rest of your life. Indecent exposure under Penal Code Section 314(1) is usually charged as a misdemeanor. Under Penal Code Section 314(2) PC if a defendant has a prior conviction the crime of indecent exposure can be charged as a felony. If there is a past history of lewd acts with minors, the defendant can be charged under Penal Code Section 288 PC.
Statutory Rape Sex Crime
Statutory rape is when a person 18 or over has sexual intercourse with somebody under 18. The age of 18 is the age California has designated as the “statutory age of consent.” When said individual over 18 has intercourse with somebody under 18 it is referred to as “sex with a minor” and has the charge of rape. It is also illegal in California for a minor to have intercourse with another minor, even if there is mutual consent.
Child Pornography Possession
The possession of child pornography is prohibited by laws at the state and federal level. Child pornography is any material depicting minors under 18 simulating or otherwise engaging in sexual conduct. Any transaction of child pornography is prohibited by Federal law, as well as any Internet child pornography transaction due to its interstate nature. Pornographic images consist of anybody who looks like a minor even if they are not. Pornographic drawings are also subject to First Amendment defenses when criminal charges apply.
Crime of Sexual Battery
Sexual battery, also referred to as “sexual assault” or rape, consists of certain touching as well as certain forms of physical contact. Under California Penal Code Section 243.4 PC this may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony in California depending on the facts of the case and the criminal history of the defendant.
Child Molestation Sex Crime
The crime of child molestation is defined as “lewd acts with a child under age 14,” and refers to offensive and indecent acts of a sexual nature. According to California Penal Code 288 it is illegal to engage in lascivious or lewd acts with a child. Charges for this usually involve accusations that a child has been touched, fondled on their genitals, or that other overt acts of molestation has taken place. Even if the touching was done through a child’s clothing and not on bare skin, you can still be charged with lewd acts against a child.
Addressing Accusations
Sexual assault crimes are taken very seriously by the law. If you have been falsely accused you might assume that the charges will just be dropped because of how ludicrous they are to you. These types of allegations do not just “go away,” and you will need to be prepared if you are falsely accused. Here are some things you can do:
1. Do not speak with police or investigators until you have contacted a criminal defense attorney. They might try different tactics to get you to admit to a crime you did not commit. Remember that they are always trying to build a case. Simply state that you will not speak with them unless there is an attorney present.
2. Get in touch with a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney. You’ll want to do this as soon as possible, even if you just expect the charges to be dismissed. Prepare for what the allegations might bring. You will be asked to defend yourself, so you’ll need to be prepared. This means contacting witnesses that can testify or provide an alibi for you. You might also need to take psychological tests, or be asked to provide other evidence. Write down as many details as possible about what you remember.
3. Study. A criminal defense attorney will be able to guide you through fighting the allegations, but it’s in your best interest to understand the legal process and know your rights.
You will want to follow all the legal rules and precautions you can, and the best way you can protect yourself is by working with an experienced defense attorney such as Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers.
Why Work with a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
When faced with serious penalties or spending time in jail or prison, you need to retain a criminal defense lawyer to represent you in court. If you are facing an assault or battery charge, or a theft charge, a criminal defense attorney will investigate your case’s specifics and determine if you were wrongfully charged. They also will be able to identify if there are any other existing reasons for why the case should be dismissed before it goes to trial. If the charges are not dismissed before trial, a criminal attorney may be able negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor on your behalf. If a plea bargain cannot be negotiated, a criminal defense attorney will prepare your defense and represent you at trial.
Working with Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers
After you have discussed the specifics of your case, your Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, will let you know your case’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as any possible risks associated with punishment and convictions you may face. Your Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, defense attorney can help negotiate a plea deal or whether the best course of action is to move forward to trial, while working constantly for your best interests.
Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, criminal defense lawyers put our experience to work for you. Every defendant deserves a zealous defense. To schedule your free consultation with one of our Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, criminal defense lawyers, call (619) 494-3440. Contact Sevens Legal Criminal Lawyers, today for a free consultation.
Criminal Defense Attorneys
3555 4th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
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