Southern California Defense Blog

On September 13, 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1844, known as Chelsea’s Law, which mandates life in a prison without the possibility of parole if a person is convicted of a violent sex crime against a minor and if aggravating factors are present.

Chelsea’s Law was named after Chelsea King, a 17-year-old high school senior who was sexually assaulted and murdered while jogging near a park. The murderer, John Gardner III, was previously convicted of committing lewd and lascivious acts against a minor under 14 years old, but was released on parole after serving five years of his sentence.

After Gardner led police to King’s body, Gardner led police to the body of another victim he had sexually assaulted and murdered, 14-year-old Amber Dubois. Dubois had been missing for over a year before her body was found.

Gardner admitted both murders and was sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus 25 years for assaulting a woman in December 2009.

Chelsea’s Law applies to violent sexual crimes committed against a minor under 14 years old by a perpetrator over 18 years old, as long as certain aggravating circumstances are present. Relevant sex offenses include rape, sexual penetration, oral copulation, or sodomy of a minor under 14 years old. Aggravating circumstances include inflicting great bodily injury on the victim, kidnapping the victim prior to the sexual crime, torturing the victim, or drugging the victim. Contact Wallin & Klarich to determine whether the circumstances of your alleged crime fall within Chelsea’s Law.

If you or someone you know has been accused of a sex crime, you will need an aggressive Southern California sex crime attorney to defend you, especially considering the social stigma associated with sex offenders. At Wallin & Klarich, we have helped people accused of sex offenses for over 30 years. Call us at (888) 764-2615 or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.