Choreographer Alex Da Silva had better brush up on his fancy footwork, though that's what seems to have gotten the So You Think You Can Dance tango king into trouble. Da Silva was arrested at his North Hollywood home yesterday on charges of rape and other sex crimes. On behalf of four of Da Silva's female dance students, the Los Angeles District Attorney charged the dance master with four counts of forcible rape, two counts of assault with intent to commit rape, and two counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object. Da Silva faces possible life in prison if convicted of all charges.
The LA District Attorney's Sex Crimes Division vigorously prosecutes rape and sex crimes, warns expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. "Generally, sexual assaults include unwanted physical contact with a sexual organ. Physical contact is unwanted if the victim 'says no,' physically objects or was not able to give consent due to mental incapacitation," explained the experienced criminal defense lawyer. Because California law does not require evidence that the rape victim physically objected to the sexual act, it is critical that the accused immediately seek the services of a criminal defense attorney experienced in handling rape and sex crime cases in Los Angeles.
Sex crimes are a particularly hot button issue in American society today. But as attorney Rodriguez points out, "As unpopular as sex offenses and alleged sex crimes are in society, individuals accused of sex crimes have the same rights as any other criminal defendant." Consent, insufficient evidence and mistaken identity provide avenues for defense. Conviction of a sex crime is life changing. Penalties can include jail, community service, counseling, probation or parole and lifetime sex offender registration. If you are charged with rape or a sex crime, contact experienced criminal defense lawyer Stephen Rodriguez today.
