Statutory Rape Defense in Torrance
Four Years Making Charging Decisions Shape Your Defense
An accusation of statutory rape under California Penal Code 261.5, formally called unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, can threaten your freedom, career, professional license, reputation, and family. We approach these sensitive cases with discretion while examining the allegation from every legal and practical angle.
Attorney Parag Agrawal spent four years on the executive team of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where he made charging decisions and led major prosecutions. He also served as a California Deputy Attorney General and Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney. His trial and appellate experience informs how we evaluate evidence, anticipate prosecution tactics, and identify opportunities to intervene before charges are filed.
Contact us at (213) 652-6904 as soon as you learn of an investigation or accusation in Torrance. Early review allows us to assess the evidence and determine the next appropriate step.
A Defense Built on Independent Evidence & Direct Access
We don’t accept the government’s account as the complete story. We conduct an independent investigation, build the defense around the specific facts, and prepare each case with the possibility of trial in mind.
Our representation is built around:
- Prosecutorial insight: We assess how prosecutors may interpret witness accounts, digital communications, age evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the allegation.
- Individualized strategy: We examine the legal issues alongside the possible personal and professional consequences rather than applying a standard defense plan.
- Personal access: Clients communicate directly with Attorney Agrawal throughout the representation.
- Discreet preparation: We represent licensed professionals, executives, business owners, and others who may face significant personal or public exposure.
- Outside resources: We work with investigators, digital forensic specialists, and other professionals when the facts call for additional analysis.
Why Choose Law Office of Parag Agrawal?
When your freedom, future, and reputation are at risk, our firm is your strongest ally.
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ExperienceWith over a decade of trial and appellate experience, I’ve handled everything from misdemeanors to murder.
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Fights for Justice
I fight to win—relentlessly challenging the system to protect your rights and your future.
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Elite CollaborationI bring together the best in mitigation, investigation, and strategic communications to support every phase of your defense.
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Former ProsecutorWith experience on both sides of the courtroom, I know how the other side builds cases—and how to break them down.
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Free Consultations Available
Navigating the legal system is overwhelming, so I offer a free consultation to talk through all of your legal options.
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Available Nights & WeekendsDo not hesitate to reach out during evenings or weekends. Give us a call whenever you need legal help.
How We Analyze the Evidence & Challenge the Allegation
We begin with the questions a prosecutor may ask before filing: Is the evidence admissible and credible? Can the state establish every required element? Do messages, social media records, witness accounts, or other evidence change the context of the accusation? We identify and preserve available evidence rather than waiting for the government’s case to take shape.
When circumstances permit, we pursue pre-filing intervention by presenting relevant facts or legal issues before prosecutors decide whether to bring charges. Early advocacy may also allow us to address unreliable statements, missing context, or evidence that investigators haven’t considered.
When Mistake of Age May Be a Defense
A reasonable, good-faith belief that the other person was at least 18 can be a defense under California law. It isn’t enough for an accused person simply to claim they didn’t know the other person’s age. Statements about age, online profiles, appearance, conduct, and communications may all affect whether the belief was honestly held and reasonable under the circumstances.
How the Age Difference Can Affect the Charge
The age gap between the parties determines how the offense may be filed. Some violations are misdemeanors, while others are wobblers that prosecutors may charge as either misdemeanors or felonies.
- If the accused is no more than three years older than the minor, the offense may be charged as a misdemeanor.
- If the accused is more than three years older, prosecutors may file a misdemeanor or felony charge.
- If the accused is at least 21 and the minor is under 16, enhanced felony exposure may apply.
The age of consent in California is 18. A minor’s willingness, initiation, or stated consent isn’t a defense because state law treats a person under 18 as legally unable to consent to sexual intercourse.
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The Advantage That Wins Former Prosecutor with Inside KnowledgeBeing charged with a crime is overwhelming. You’re scared. You’re uncertain. And you’re facing a system that feels impossibly stacked against you. As a former prosecutor, Parag knows the system and fights for what matters most:Your Freedom, Your Future, Your Reputation.
How Torrance Cases Move Through the Local Court System
Felony and misdemeanor cases arising in the Torrance area may proceed through the Torrance Courthouse within the Los Angeles County Superior Court system. The venue and course of a case depend on where the alleged conduct occurred, the charges filed, and decisions made by prosecutors.
Prompt investigation matters because memories fade, online content changes, and relevant communications may become harder to reconstruct. When circumstances allow, we evaluate the accusation while the investigation is still underway and address evidentiary or legal issues before prosecutors make a filing decision.