One of the most important purposes of the law is to protect those who cannot defend themselves. This is particularly true when it comes to animal abuse, which includes sexual abuse against animals, also known as bestiality (frequently misspelled as beastiality) or zoophilia. Anyone accused of this crime should immediately call a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Challenges In Fighting Bestiality Laws
One of the problems with fighting charges like animal cruelty or bestiality is that because just about everyone loves animals and finds them to be innocent, it can be very hard to maintain an unbiased jury when facing these charges. It makes sense that it is easier to win a jury to your side when it’s a crime most people have considered doing -like shoplifting, rather than a taboo crime like these. Your animal cruelty defense lawyer can be critical in reminding the jury that their job is to remain unbiased about a person’s guilt, no matter how they personally feel about the crime itself.
Remember that, like children, animals are considered unable to consent to sexual acts, so trying to defend such an activity by explaining that the animal was also aroused will only count as evidence against you. This is why you should never speak to the police when accused of any crime without having your lawyer present.
Is Bestiality the Same As Animal Abuse?
California law makes it a misdemeanor to sexually assault any animal to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of a person. Because bestiality is a separate law from animal cruelty in the California legal code, most people accused of the crime will also be charged with animal abuse as well. Since each charge is punishable by up to six months in jail, this means you could easily end up in jail for a full year if convicted for both crimes.
If you have been accused with having sex with an animal or any other form of animal cruelty, please call Peter M. Liss as soon as possible to discuss your case. You can schedule a free initial consultation by calling (760) 643-4050.
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