The LA Daily News recently reported that more than 7,100 DNA samples from rape victims are backlogged at the Los Angeles Police Department amid funding and staff shortages that officials say are plaguing law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Those accused of rape, as well as victims of rape, are missing an opportunity to see justice served in this instance, because most juries and judges trust the outcome of DNA testing. In fact, the LAPD has not used $1.3 million in federal grants it has received since 2004, and the backlog of cases is tremendous. Recently, the Department of Justice penalized the department because of unspent grant money allocated in 2005, reducing its grant this year to $435,860.
The LAPD backlog comes as 2,285 rapes were reported last year in the Los Angeles area, with about 600 arrests. Some cities in California have set up "Sexual Assault Investigation Units," which spends all of its energy investigating alleged sex offenses.
Many sexual assault acts have no witnesses therefore, sexual assaults are regularly prosecuted even if the evidence appears weak or the accuser lacks credibility. DNA evidence can be a great asset to either the prosecution or the defense, because it will most likely lend a great deal of credibility to one side or the other.
Rape in California is defined as the non-consensual intercourse with a woman accomplished by threats or force. Most of the California rape laws can be found in the Penal Code 261 sections.The punishment or penalties for rape in California can include up to 8 years state prison for a first offense, as well as lifetime registration as a sex offender.
If you move to another state jurisdiction, you may be required to register as a sex offender for an "unlawful sexual intercourse"violation.
The experienced California rape defense attorneys at the Law Office of Rodriguez, Lewis & Kahn can assist you in proving your innocence. A false rape accusation is humiliating and damaging, and qualified defense attorneys understand that it is their duty to use their knowledge of California's sex crime laws to successfully resolve your case as quickly as possible.
