innocence legal team

#1 child molestation defense law firm in california

Since 1977, we have successfully defended the falsely accused against Child Molestation, Child Pornography, Rape / Sexual Assault, and Cyber Entrapment / Stings allegations.

Child Molestation
Rape / Sexual Assault
Child Pornography
Cyber Entrapment / Stings

If you are unsure of where to start, schedule a virtual consultation.
If you need immediate legal assistance, don’t wait. Contact us immediately.

Request consultation
Multilingual(888) 207-5975
english

Since 1973, we have successfully defended the falsely accused against Child Molestation, Child Pornography, Rape / Sexual Assault, and Cyber Entrapment / Stings allegations.

Child Molestation
Rape / Sexual Assault
Child Pornography
Cyber Entrapment / Stings

If you are unsure of where to start, schedule a virtual consultation.
If you need immediate legal assistance, don’t wait. Contact us immediately.

Request consultation
Multilingual(888) 207-5975
english

Our clients are our best ambassadors

“Patrick Clancy saved my life. Two girls falsely accused me of inappropriately touching them while I put them to bed when they were little…but I was innocent…Clancy hired a great investigator…a respected child psychologist and a specialist appellate lawyer and… figured out why the…falsely accused me. When the DA saw it all, the case was dismissed…Thank you, Mr. Clancy. Your expertise and strategy saved me from a potential 25 years to life and gave me my life back.”

“Patrick Clancy saved my life. Two girls falsely accused me of inappropriately touching them while I put them to bed when they were little…but I was innocent…Clancy hired a great investigator…a respected child psychologist and a specialist appellate lawyer and… figured out why the…falsely accused me. When the DA saw it all, the case was dismissed…Thank you, Mr. Clancy. Your expertise and strategy saved me from a potential 25 years to life and gave me my life back.”

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“Case dismissed without trial. Mr. Clancy…studied my case which was voluminous…He then carefully selected items to show to the DA …to educate the DA…He was successful in getting the charges dismissed before the preliminary hearing…During the time I was in jail, he showed me and my wife great kindness, comfort, and support. We were very lucky to have found him. ”

“Case dismissed without trial. Mr. Clancy…studied my case which was voluminous…He then carefully selected items to show to the DA …to educate the DA…He was successful in getting the charges dismissed before the preliminary hearing…During the time I was in jail, he showed me and my wife great kindness, comfort, and support. We were very lucky to have found him. ”

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“I Was scared and worried for my life, until the day I Met Patrick Clancy. I was accused of a lewd and lascivious act on a minor…Thanks to Patrick Clancy, I never went to prison or had to register for sex Offender. He is a master at his craft. Thank you, Patrick, I will never forget you… I had multiple allegations of molestation dismissed against me without trial…during the preliminary hearing he was able to disprove the major count against me which carried life in prison [and] got my bail reduce...It was the last day I spent in custody on my case…before the case went to trial the accusers refused to proceed and all of the sex allegations were dismissed. Mr. Clancy really showed that he cared. Mr. Clancy was a life saver.”

“I Was scared and worried for my life, until the day I Met Patrick Clancy. I was accused of a lewd and lascivious act on a minor…Thanks to Patrick Clancy, I never went to prison or had to register for sex Offender. He is a master at his craft. Thank you, Patrick, I will never forget you… I had multiple allegations of molestation dismissed against me without trial…during the preliminary hearing he was able to disprove the major count against me which carried life in prison [and] got my bail reduce...It was the last day I spent in custody on my case…before the case went to trial the accusers refused to proceed and all of the sex allegations were dismissed. Mr. Clancy really showed that he cared. Mr. Clancy was a life saver.”

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Leading Author

Patrick Clancy is the co-author of the book “Has a Child Been Molested?” Published in 1997, “Has a Child Been Molested?” shows how caring and intelligent people, including police officers, social workers, child therapists, teachers and even parents, may unwittingly create false accusations of sexual abuse. It explores the multiple myths labeled as “syndromes,” by which law enforcement and medical personnel have lead to so many false accusations against innocent people. This well cited book, available below for free download, concludes with information to assist in avoiding such accusations and steps one can take if they find themselves accused.

Download e-Book

Patrick Clancy is the co-author of the book “Has a Child Been Molested?” Published in 1977, “Has a Child Been Molested?” shows how caring and intelligent people, including police officers, social workers, child therapists, teachers and even parents, may unwittingly create false accusations of sexual abuse. It explores the multiple myths labeled as “syndromes,” by which law enforcement and medical personnel have lead to so many false accusations against innocent people. This well cited book, available below for free download, concludes with information to assist in avoiding such accusations and steps one can take if they find themselves accused.

Download e-Book

Has a child been molested? authoritatively cited by:

Founder and Chief Strategist:
Patrick Clancy

Patrick Clancy Is a Nationally Known Leader Standing Up to the Excesses of the Group Think Victim Movements of the Last 60-Years From “Child Protection” to “Me Too”
‍
Patrick Clancy was the first person commissioned by The American Bar Association to address false child molestation allegations in an article published by the renowned Criminal Justice Law Review Journal: False Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse: Why is it Happening, What Can We Do, 1990 Criminal Justice 14‍

see full profile

Patrick Clancy Is a Nationally Known Leader Standing Up to the Excesses of the Group Think Victim Movements of the Last 60-Years From “Child Protection” to “Me Too”
‍
Patrick Clancy was the first person commissioned by The American Bar Association to address false child molestation allegations in an article published by the renowned Criminal Justice Law Review Journal: False Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse: Why is it Happening, What Can We Do, 1990 Criminal Justice 14‍

see full profile

Meet our Team

Kimberly La Salle

Chief of Client Relations

David Lamb

Chief Operating Officer

David Cohn

Executive Director

Benjamin Adams

Chief of Paralegals

William Daley

Chief of Appellate Department and Team Leader

Aaron Shnider

Team Leader

Andrea Bayer

Team Leader

Christian Jensen

Team Leader

David Wiksell

Team Leader

How we win

Part 1 : The Problem
click to see the video
Part 1 : The Solution
click to see the video
Part 3 : Why we Protect your career
click to see the video
Part 4 : How We Protect Your Career
click to see the video
Part 1: The Problem
Part 2: The Solution
Part 3: Why We Protect Your Career
Part 4: How We Protect Your Career

Successfully Defending Against Child Molestation Allegations

Understanding Criminal Charges: What You Need to Know.

A graphic illustration of a Child.

Child Molesttation

PC 288(a)/(b)– Lewd Act on a child under the age of 14.
A graphic illustration of a checklist.
Elements
  • Defendant willfully and lewdly touched the body of a child.
  • The child was under 14 years of age.
  • The touching was done with the intent to arouse, appeal, or gratify the lust, passions, or sexual desires of the defendant or the child.
A graphic illustration of a shield.
Defenses
  • Alleged victim is not under 14.
  • Contact was not sexual in nature.
  • False accusation.
A graphic illustration of a Jail door.
Sentencing, Enhancements and Probations Eligibility
  • No force:
    • 3, 6 or 8 years in state prison.
    • Eligible for Felony Probation
  • Force or duress used: 5, 8 or 10 years in state prison
A graphic illustration of a caution sign.
Collateral Consequences
  • Strike
  • Serious and violent felony
  • Possible Professional License revocation/suspension/restriction
  • Ineligible to vote while incarcerated
  • Ineligible to hold public office for life
  • Loss of right to serve as juror while incarcerated or on supervision
  • Impeachment of testimony possible
  • Deportation possible if not US citizen
  • Firearm prohibition
  • Sex Registration
  • DNA Bank
  • AIDS testing
PC 288.7(a) Sodomy with of a child under 10.
A graphic illustration of a checklist.
Elements
  • Defendant was 18 years of age or older.
  • Defendant engaged in sexual intercourse or sodomy with the victim.
  • The alleged victim was 10 years of age or younger.
A graphic illustration of a shield.
Defenses
  • Victim was 10 years old or older.
  • Contact was not “sexual” in nature.
  • False accusation.
A graphic illustration of a Jail door.
Sentencing, Enhancements and Probations Eligibility
  • 25 to life
  • Probation Eligibility: No.
  • Three Strikes Law (2 prior felonies) – Life
  • Two or more Victims (Life)
A graphic illustration of a caution sign.
Collateral Consequences
  • Strike
  • Serious and violent felony
  • Possible Professional License revocation/suspension/restriction
  • Ineligible to vote while incarcerated
  • Ineligible to hold public office for life
  • Loss of right to serve as juror while incarcerated or on supervision
  • Impeachment of testimony possible
  • Deportation possible if not US citizen
  • Firearm prohibition
  • Sex Registration
  • DNA Bank
PC 288.7(b) Sexual Penetration/oral Copulation of a child Under 10.
A graphic illustration of a checklist.
Elements
  • Defendant was 18 years of age or older.
  • Defendant engaged in oral copulation or sexual penetration with the victim.
  • The alleged victim was 10 years of age or younger.
A graphic illustration of a shield.
Defenses
  • Victim was 10 years old or older.
  • Contact was not “sexual” in nature.
  • False accusation.
A graphic illustration of a Jail door.
Sentencing, Enhancements and Probations Eligibility
  • 25 to life Low/Mid/High Term
  • Probation Eligibility: No.
  • Three Strikes Law (2 prior felonies) – Life
  • Two or more Victims (Life)
A graphic illustration of a caution sign.
Collateral Consequences
  • Strike
  • Serious and violent felony
  • Possible Professional License revocation/suspension/restriction
  • Ineligible to vote while incarcerated
  • Ineligible to hold public office for life
  • Loss of right to serve as juror while incarcerated or on supervision
  • Impeachment of testimony possible
  • Deportation possible if not US citizen
  • Firearm prohibition
  • Sex Registration
  • DNA Bank
PC 287 Oral Copulation with a minor
A graphic illustration of a checklist.
Elements
  • Defendant engaged in an act of oral copulation with a person.“Oral copulation” is defined as any contact between the mouthof one person and the sexual organ or anus of another.
  • The Victim was under 18 years of age.
A graphic illustration of a shield.
Defenses
  • Alleged victim is not a minor.
  • Contact was not sexual in nature.
  • False accusation.
A graphic illustration of a Jail door.
Sentencing, Enhancements and Probations Eligibility
  • Victim Under 18
    • Low: 16 months
    • Mid: 2 years
    • High: 3 years
  • Victim Under 16
    • Low: 3 years
    • Mid: 6 years
    • High: 8 years
  • Victim Under 14
    • Low: 7 years
    • Mid: 9 years
    • High: 11 years
  • Up to Life:
    • Substantial sexual conduct under 10 - oral cop/penetration
    • Third strike
    • Two or more Victims
  • Probation eligible: Only if the Victim is 17 or older.
A graphic illustration of a caution sign.
Collateral Consequences
PC 286 Sodomy with a minor
A graphic illustration of a checklist.
Elements
  • Defendant participated in an act of sodomy with Victim.
  • The Victim was under 18 years of age. [PC286(b)(1)]
A graphic illustration of a shield.
Defenses
  • Reasonably believed the victim an adult(limited)
  • False allegation
  • Consent
A graphic illustration of a Jail door.
Sentencing, Enhancements and Probations Eligibility
  • Victim Under 18
    • Low: 1 year 4 months
    • High: 2 years
  • Victim Under 16
    • Low 16 months
    • Medium: 2 years
    • High: 3 years
  • Victim Under 14
    • Low: 9 years
    • Mid: 11 years
    • High: 13 years
  • Probation Eligibility: Yes, if victim 14 or older.
  • Three Strikes Law (2 prior felonies) – Life
  • Two or more Victims (Life)
A graphic illustration of a caution sign.
Collateral Consequences
  • Strike (under 14)
  • Serious and Violent Felony (under 14)
  • Violent Felony (if under 14).
  • Possible Professional License revocation/suspension/restriction
  • Ineligible to vote while incarcerated
  • Ineligible to hold public office for life
  • Loss of right to serve as juror while incarcerated or onsupervision
  • Impeachment of testimony possible
  • Deportation possible if not US citizen
  • Firearm prohibition
  • Sex Registration
  • DNA Bank
  • AIDS testing
PC 288.5 - Engaging in the continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age
A graphic illustration of a checklist.
Elements
  • Defendant was a resident with the minor or had recurring access to the minor; and
  • Defendant over a period of not less than 3 months engaged in 3or more acts of substantial sexual conduct, or 3 or more acts of lewd or lascivious conduct, with the victim who was under the age of 14 years at the time.
A graphic illustration of a shield.
Defenses
  • Alleged victim not a “child”
  • There were no sexual acts
  • Falsely accusation
  • No recurring access
A graphic illustration of a caution sign.
Collateral Consequences
  • Strike
  • Serious and violent felony
  • Possible Professional License revocation/suspension/restriction
  • Ineligible to vote while incarcerated
  • Ineligible to hold public office for life
  • Loss of right to serve as juror while incarcerated or on supervision
  • Impeachment of testimony possible
  • Deportation possible if not US citizen
  • Firearm prohibition
  • Sex Registration
  • DNA Bank
  • AIDS testing
  • Two or more Victims
  • D has prior PC 261(a)(2)(6), 262(a)(1)(4), 264.1, 286, 287, former 288a,288(a)(b), 288.5 or 289(a)
  • D kidnapped victim - movement of victim substantially increased risk of harm to victim
  • D inflicted aggravated mayhem (PC 205)
  • D tortured victim (PC 206)
  • Act committed during residential (1st degree) burglary - D intended to commit sex act
  • D personally inflicted GBI (PC 12022.53, 12022.7, 12022.8)
  • D personally inflicted bodily harm on ·victim under 14 years of age
  • D kidnapped victim - movement did not substantially increase risk of harm to victim
  • D Act committed during residential burglary or commercial burglary when building closed to public
  • D used a weapon (PC 12022, 12022.3, 12055.5, 12022.53)
  • D convicted of specified sex offenses against more than one person
  • D engaged in tying or binding victim or another
  • D administered controlled substance (PC 12022.75)

A Single Felony Charge Can Lead to Other Litigation Against You.

An accused can be sued civilly for the same conduct alleged in a criminal proceeding. In a civil proceeding you may be required to file statements and give testimony which can be used against you in your criminal case. On the other hand, discovery (such as the deposition of an accuser) in these proceedings not available in criminal court, can provide an unprecedented opportunity for obtaining evidence in your defense.

Civil Court

Alleged victims can also institute civil proceedings against the accused for the recovery of financial losses, pain and suffering and even punitive damages.

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Children’s services can initiate proceedings to remove minor children from situations deemed dangerous. Juvenile dependency cases can be life changing for you and your child and so must be taken very seriously. Your testimony may be compelled in such a proceeding and used against you in criminal court for impeachment purposes.

Juvenile Dependency Court

If a charged offense poses a threat to a minor, Children’s Services can initiate proceedings to remove minor children from the care of the accused.

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A spouse will often turn against a partner charged with a felony. This can result in proceedings for divorce, custody, child support and restraining orders. Evidence, including your own testimony in such proceedings may be used against you in your criminal case. On the other hand, discovery (such as the deposition of an accuser) in these proceedings not available in criminal court, can provide an unprecedented opportunity for obtaining evidence in your defense.

Family Law Court

A felony charge will often cause a spouse to turn against the accused.

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California licensing boards can be quick to take action against a license holder charged with a felony. These include medical, law, pharmacy, dentistry, accounting, architecture, real estate, contractor, and most every other profession and trade. Police and civil servants can face administrative discharge hearings. Evidence, including your own testimony in such proceedings can be used against you in your criminal case. Your testimony may be compelled in such a proceeding and used against you in criminal court for impeachment purposes.

Professional License Administrative Hearings

Without the right strategy you cannot win.

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Mistakes today has consequences in the future

Even if you have already had your preliminary hearing, your case is set for trial or even if there has already been a conviction, it may not too late to correct mistakes. Yesterday’s mistakes do not mean that your tomorrows are ruined. Call the Innocence Legal Team today.

Corrective Action

Stop. There is still time to take corrective action. The legal team can often turn a losing strategy into a winning strategy.

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Too many times the Innocence Legal Team receives a case late in the process after other counsel have made serious strategic mistakes. Sometimes even after conviction. Nevertheless, the Innocence Legal Team has a long history of turning such cases around by correcting those previous mistakes by instituting the best stratagy.

Prior Attorneys

Too many times prior attorneys have used the wrong strategy and tactics.

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Strategy is the roadmap to victory. Patrick Clancy has developed the winning strategy in hundreds of the most complicated and seemingly hopeless criminal cases. The right strategy is the key to prevailing and the Innocence Legal Team thoroughly analyzes all the evidence to determine your best winning strategy.

Strategy

Without the right strategy you cannot win.

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Does Hiring a Local Attorney Give You an Advantage with Your Case?

If you want to have the best chance of prevailing, you need the most experienced, skilled, and tenacious team possible. The Innocence Legal Team is your team. Founder Patrick Clancy has gathered the most talented attorneys, paralegals, experts, and investigators in the state to fight for your freedom, reputation, and innocence.

Expertise & Skill

Counsel’s skill, experience and expertise are all that matter.

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Knowledge of local politics is almost never relevant to a criminal case. Even in the unlikely event that local counsel may know an important member of the community, there is zero chance that such a figure would intervene on your behalf. No politician is going to risk the exposure of that kind of favoritism.

Local Politics

Local counsel’s claims of knowledge of local politics won’t help you.

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Claims of such connections may be a sign of lack of skill, experience, or both. Prosecutors and judges are not going to show favoritism just because they are familiar with your counsel. Such conduct has resulted in well publicized firings and even criminal prosecution of Judges and DA’s. They will not risk their careers and reputations for you.

Judge & Prosecutor Connection Fallacy

Claimed connections by local attorneys with prosecutors and judges won’t help and may even hurt your chances.

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We Are Here to Help You now

THE COPS DO NOT WANT YOU TO TALK TO US UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

The cops don’t want to “talk” to you; they only want to interrogate you. They do not care about fairness. They do not care if you are innocent. To cops, everyone is guilty. To them, there is no such thing as a false allegation.

A MISTAKE MADE IN A MINUTE CAN RUIN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

Don’t wait until there is a knock on the door.

Fill out this form to get the help and advice you need NOW.