Being accused of any crime is an unsettling experience, to say the least; but being charged with a sex crime in California has immediate impacts on your reputation and/or professional career like virtually no other class of crimes does. Even before the trial, and even if you are never convicted, unfortunately, the mere allegation of these types of offenses can negatively affect you for years to come. But being convicted of a sex crime has far more severe consequences, potentially including long jail or prison terms, heavy fines, years of parole, and (sometimes) lifetime registration as a sex offender, which can make it difficult for you to find gainful employment, get an apartment lease, and lead a "normal" life.