Child Molestation Defense Attorney in South Bay
Former L.A. County Sex Crimes Prosecutor Defending South Bay Clients
A child molestation accusation doesn’t wait for the facts to be sorted out. Before any charge is filed, reputations are damaged, relationships fracture, and the investigation is already underway. At Houlé Law, we defend clients against these charges with preparation that comes from the other side of the courtroom. Lisa Houlé spent 15 years as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney prosecuting sex crimes. She knows how these cases are built because she built them.
We represent clients throughout the South Bay, including Hawthorne, Long Beach, and Rancho Palos Verdes. Every client works directly with Lisa, and every case is prepared for trial from the first conversation.
If you’re facing a child molestation investigation or charge in the South Bay, time matters. Call Houlé Law now at (424) 667-6455 to schedule a confidential consultation, including virtual options.
Why Prosecutorial Experience Changes the Defense
Child molestation cases are handled by some of the most seasoned prosecutors in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. They know which evidence carries weight with juries, how to present a child’s testimony, and where to push when the defense hesitates. Lisa Houlé spent 15 years in that office doing exactly that work. She understands how charging decisions are made, how witness credibility is evaluated internally, and where weaknesses in an investigation tend to surface.
That background shapes how we approach every aspect of the defense, from the first review of the police report to cross-examination at trial. We know how to challenge faulty investigations, expose credibility issues, and confront the biased narratives that take hold in sex crime cases before a single charge is filed.
Law Enforcement Trust & Media Recognition
Houlé Law regularly defends police officers, deputy sheriffs, and prosecutors in high-stakes, reputation-sensitive matters. Lisa is a former Certified Law Enforcement Instructor for California POST and has trained officers at LAPD, the Department of Public Safety, and the LAX Airport Police Department. That trust runs in both directions: she understands how law enforcement operates, and law enforcement trusts her with the cases that require it most.
The firm has been featured on KTLA 5, ABC 7, BBC World News, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and other national outlets. Lisa has received recognition from Super Lawyers, Lawyers of Distinction, and Lead Counsel Rated.
What Child Molestation Charges Look Like Under California Law
The term “child molestation” isn’t a single statute. California prosecutes these cases under several code sections, and the charge filed determines the potential sentence:
- California Penal Code 288(a) covers lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 and carries a prison sentence of 3, 6, or 8 years.
- PC 288(b) applies when force, violence, duress, menace, or fear is alleged as an aggravating element, carrying a sentencing range of 5, 8, or 10 years.
- PC 288(c) covers victims aged 14 or 15 when the accused is at least 10 years older.
- PC 288.5 addresses continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, defined as three or more acts over three or more months.
- PC 647.6 covers conduct motivated by an abnormal sexual interest in a minor, even without physical contact.
Under California’s One Strike law (Penal Code 667.61), certain aggravating factors, such as the use of force, multiple victims, or prior sex offense convictions, can push sentences well beyond the base term. When bodily harm to a child under 14 is alleged, a life sentence becomes possible. A felony conviction under any of these statutes also triggers mandatory sex offender registration under PC 290, placing the registrant’s name and address on California’s publicly searchable Megan’s Law database.
Speak with Lisa Houlé Before the Case Moves Forward
The earlier a defense attorney is involved, the more options remain open. Pre-filing intervention, presenting exculpatory evidence to the DA’s office before formal charges are filed, can affect whether a case proceeds at all. Once charges are filed, the timeline accelerates and the stakes rise.
Houlé Law offers confidential consultations for South Bay clients, including virtual consultations for those who can’t come in person. You’ll speak directly with Lisa, not a staff member or associate. Call (424) 667-6455 to reach Houlé Law today.
The Experience You Need. The Attention You Deserve.
Here's What Sets Houlé Law Apart
When your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, you need proven expertise, personalized strategy, and the confidence of having a former top prosecutor in your corner. Houlé Law offers all this and more. Call (424) 667-6455 today and get started with our dedicated team.
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Former Prosecutor Advantage
With over 15 years as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney, Lisa Houlé knows exactly how the other side thinks, using that knowledge to help you.
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Trusted by Law Enforcement
We are one of the few firms regularly called on to defend police officers, deputy sheriffs, and prosecutors in high-stakes, sensitive matters.
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Sex Crimes & Domestic Violence Focus
We focus on high-stakes sex crime and domestic violence cases, and we're often called on to provide consulting for fellow defense attorneys.
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Trial-Ready, Personalized Defense
Every case is prepared as if it’s going to trial. You work directly with Lisa Houlé, receiving focused, honest, and meticulous defense tailored to you.
How We Build the Defense Against Child Molestation Charges in the South Bay
No two child molestation cases are the same, but the prosecution’s approach follows recognizable patterns. Having spent 15 years on that side of the courtroom in Los Angeles County, Lisa Houlé knows those patterns and how to disrupt them. We work from day one to identify every point where the investigation can be challenged and every gap the prosecution will have to explain to a jury.
Challenging the Investigation Itself
Law enforcement errors, procedural violations, and unconstitutional conduct during an investigation can result in the suppression of key evidence. Unlawful searches, questioning without Miranda warnings, and coerced statements are documented problems in sex crime investigations. If evidence was obtained improperly, we move to exclude it.
Examining the Forensic Interview
The forensic interview of the child complainant is often the centerpiece of the prosecution’s case. We examine whether the interviewer followed accepted protocols, whether the child’s statements were consistent across sessions, and whether adult coaching or suggestive questioning shaped the account. The reliability of that interview can be central to the case.
Addressing False Allegations
False allegations arise in child molestation cases more often than many juries expect. They emerge from custody disputes, adult coaching of a child, misidentification, or the misinterpretation of innocent conduct. We investigate the circumstances behind the accusation and present that context to the jury or, where possible, to the DA before charges are filed.
Contesting Intent
A conviction under PC 288 requires proof that the touching was willful and motivated by sexual gratification. Conduct that doesn’t meet that specific intent element doesn’t satisfy the statute. Challenging the prosecution’s ability to prove intent is a recognized and often effective line of defense.
We also examine alibi evidence, inconsistencies in the timeline of allegations, and the credibility of every witness the prosecution plans to rely on. An acquittal, dismissal, or reduction in charges is possible when the evidence doesn’t hold together. We work to find every place where it doesn’t.
