What's Changed For California Sex Crime Laws In 2022?

Dec 30, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Sep 26, 2022

A Quick Guide To New Criminal Law Updates For 2022

Laws change and evolve, and California's criminal law is no exception. This also means that your access and approach to the legal system might need to change—which is especially crucial for sex crimes and the protection of rights.

So, here's a quick guide on the legal updates every client and California Criminal Lawyer should know:

What's New In California's Sex Crime Laws?

Laws are governed by how things are defined and phrased. These are crucial aspects of sex crimes, as they have different degrees of possible punishment and the way the case itself is handled in court.

The definitions for the crime and the facts of the case will also guide your Los Angeles Criminal Law Attorney on the best route to take.

Here are two of the most important changes to California Sex Crime Laws effective this 2022:

1. AB-453: Non-Consensual Condom Removal Is Now Considered Sexual Battery

This bill amends the existing civil sexual battery statute to include non-consensual condom removal (NCCR).

This bill adds NCCR to the existing civil sexual battery statute, making it a civil sexual battery for a person to:

Cause contact between a sexual organ (which a condom has been removed from) and the intimate part of another person who did not verbally consent to the removal of the condom.
Cause contact between an intimate part of a person and a sexual organ of another (which the person removed a condom from) without verbal consent.

2. AB-1171: Spousal Rape And Rape Has No Distinction Anymore

By abolishing the charge of spousal rape, this bill eliminates any distinctions between spousal rape and rape.

This law broadens the definition of rape to include the rape of a spouse. That used to be handled separately as "spousal rape" will now be taken to court in the same way as most rape cases.

If a guilty verdict is handed down, the convicted spouse is required to register as a sex offender. In most cases, it might also result in a state jail sentence.

Bottom-line

Laws change with time. There's a reason why we're no longer following old laws from decades ago and why we also have new laws as technology and society progresses.

This is why it's imperative for Los Angeles Criminal Law Attorneys keep a watchful eye on these changes. This is also why it's important for you to consult a pre-screened California Criminal Law Attorney so you don't forget or misunderstand the changing laws.

Find A California Criminal Law Attorney in Near Me

1000Attorneys.com is a California Bar Association Certified Lawyer Referral Service that refers you to a fitting Criminal Lawyer best suited to handle your case.

You may contact us through our 24/7 live chat (or complete our case details submission form) for a free initial consultation.

HOME > BLOG > THIS POST✔︎

American Bar Association–Accredited and California State Bar–Certified Lawyer Referral and Information Service

Welcome to 1000Attorneys.com, a Lawyer Referral and Information Service certified by the California State Bar and nationally accredited by the American Bar Association.

Our role is to provide unbiased and impartial lawyer referrals to members of the public.

We operate independently from the attorneys who receive referrals and do not engage in pay-to-play or advertising-based rankings.

While we focus primarily on California employment law and personal injury matters, our referral services extend to many additional practice areas throughout the state.

Each referral is based on the legal issue presented, geographic considerations, and the attorney’s licensure status, experience, and professional standing.

We recognize that every legal matter is unique and aim to connect individuals with independently licensed attorneys suited to their specific needs.

Why Lawyer Referrals Matter

The California State Bar investigates thousands of complaints involving attorney misconduct each year.

Verifying licensure alone does not always provide sufficient insight into an attorney’s suitability for a particular legal matter.

As part of our referral process, we review publicly available licensure and disciplinary records and consider relevant experience in the practice area involved.

This due diligence is intended to help the public make more informed decisions when seeking legal representation.

Learn more about attorney discipline and public records here.

Our History

Since 2005, we have assisted Californians in locating qualified legal representation through a structured, regulated referral process.

We recognize the challenges individuals face when navigating legal advertising, promotional claims, and online directories.

Our service is designed to provide a neutral, reliable alternative focused on public protection and informed choice.

Attorneys in Our Network

Attorneys who receive referrals through our service are licensed in California, in good standing with the State Bar, and maintain professional experience in their respective practice areas.

Evaluation considerations may include:

Licensure status and disciplinary history
Relevant practice experience
Professional background and education
Client service and communication practices
Fee practices consistent with applicable rules

Participation in the referral service does not constitute endorsement, and hiring decisions remain solely with the individual seeking legal representation.

How to Request a Lawyer Referral

Submit your legal issue online for review by our referral staff. Online requests are typically processed in under 10 minutes.
Inquiries may also be submitted by email, with responses generally provided within one business day.
You may contact our referral line at 661-310-7999. Referral agents are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice.