Sex Crime Lawyer in San Bernardino

Direct Partner Representation from the First Call Through Resolution

A sex crime accusation doesn’t just threaten your freedom. It threatens your reputation, your career, and depending on how the case resolves, your legal status for a decade or the rest of your life. At Bullard & Powell, APC., co-founders Jeffrey Bullard and Sarah Powell bring over 30 years of combined legal experience to these cases, and they stay personally involved from the first call through final resolution. You won’t be handed off to a junior associate or a paralegal.

Reach us by call, text, or walk-in. We’re accessible because the stakes demand it.

If you or someone you love is facing a sex crime charge in San Bernardino or anywhere in the Inland Empire, contact Bullard & Powell, APC. now at (909) 771-2304. The sooner we hear from you, the more options may be available.

Sex Crime Charges We Defend in San Bernardino

California law covers a wide range of conduct under the umbrella of sex crimes, and charges vary significantly in their elements, potential penalties, and registration consequences. We defend clients facing all of the following:

• Rape (Penal Code 261): Nonconsensual sexual intercourse accomplished by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear. Among the most seriously prosecuted charges in California.
• Sexual Battery (Penal Code 243.4): Unwanted touching of an intimate part for sexual arousal or gratification. Can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on circumstances.
• Statutory Rape (Penal Code 261.5): Sexual intercourse with a minor under 18. Charges can proceed even when the minor appeared to consent, because consent isn’t a legal defense.
• Lewd Acts with a Minor (Penal Code 288): Touching a child under 14 with sexual intent. Charged as a felony.
• Indecent Exposure (Penal Code 314): Willfully exposing oneself in a public place or in the presence of others.
• Child Pornography Offenses (Penal Code 311 and related sections): Possession, distribution, or production of sexually explicit material involving minors.
• Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Penal Code 290): A separate criminal offense from the underlying conviction that created the registration duty, carrying its own felony or misdemeanor charges.

California’s Sex Offender Registration Act & the Three-Tier System

California’s Sex Offender Registration Act, codified at Penal Code 290, requires people convicted of specified sex offenses to register with local law enforcement. The registration requirement doesn’t end when a sentence is served. Since Senate Bill 384 took effect in January 2021, California uses a three-tier system that determines how long registration lasts based on the offense and risk level: Tier One requires at least 10 years of registration, Tier Two requires at least 20 years, and Tier Three requires lifetime registration.

The consequences of registration extend well beyond the criminal case itself. It can affect where you’re allowed to live, which employers may hire you, and whether you can hold a professional license. This is why the outcome of the criminal case matters so much, and why how your defense is built matters from the start.

How We Build a Sex Crime Defense in San Bernardino

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office prosecutes sexual assault and related sex crime allegations aggressively. Our approach starts with a simple principle: every case is prepared as though it’s going to trial. That preparation isn’t just about the courtroom. It creates leverage at the negotiating table, because prosecutors know we aren’t looking for the fastest exit.

Jeffrey Bullard and Sarah Powell practice regularly before the judges at the San Bernardino Justice Center, where felony criminal matters are adjudicated, and at the Victorville District courthouse for clients in the High Desert. That familiarity with local judges and the district attorney’s office can translate into strategic advantages for clients working with counsel from outside the area. We know the tendencies, the standards, and the pressure points, and we put that knowledge to work in your defense.

Credentials That Matter in High-Stakes Criminal Defense

When the charge on the table can follow you for 10, 20, or more years, who handles your case isn’t a small decision.

Attorney Recognition

Jeffrey Bullard is recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer, a designation that reflects his record in serious, contested matters. Sarah Powell holds the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards, awarded through peer review by other lawyers and judges. She is also regularly recognized as a Rising Star and Super Lawyer in criminal defense by Super Lawyers.

Client Reviews

Our firm has earned a 5-star rating across more than 2,950 reviews. Clients consistently describe attorneys and staff who communicate clearly, treat them with respect, and stay accessible throughout the process. That consistency reflects a deliberate choice to take fewer cases and give each one the attention it deserves.

Get Ahead of Your Sex Crime Charge

Statements made to investigators or prosecutors before you have legal counsel can be used against you. What you say in the early hours and days of an investigation can shape how the prosecution builds its case. Don’t wait until charges are formally filed to get an attorney involved.

Bullard & Powell, APC. offers a free consultation to anyone facing a sex crime accusation in San Bernardino or the greater Inland Empire. Talk to Jeffrey Bullard or Sarah Powell directly about what’s been alleged, what you’re facing, and what options may exist. Call us now at (909) 771-2304.