Riverside Rape Defense Lawyer
Focused Criminal Defense Against Rape Allegations
When someone is accused of rape, the stakes are immediate and severe. Careers, families, reputations, and freedom can disappear in a single arrest. My role as a Riverside rape lawyer at the Law Office of Gregory H. Comings is to step in early, take control of the defense, and protect my client from the full force of the system.
I do not pass cases to junior associates or handle matters remotely. Every defense I develop against charges of a sex crime is personal, deliberate, and built with the expectation that prosecutors will push hard. Many cases are charged or reclassified as sexual assault offenses based on how statements or conduct are interpreted. I prepare from day one as if the case will go to trial.
Reach out to our Riverside rape defense attorney at 951-686-3457 or schedule an initial consultation through our confidential contact form.
Recent Google Review
“I recently contacted the Law Office of Gregory H. Comings for advice on a post‑conviction matter, and I am extremely grateful for the help I received. I am disabled, going to school, and I don’t have a lot of money, so I was honestly worried that even asking a few questions would cost me something I couldn’t afford. Instead, Attorney Greg Comings took the time to speak with me, listened to my situation, and gave me clear, honest guidance — all through a free consultation. He explained my options in a way I could understand and didn’t rush me or make me feel like a burden. The advice he gave me might actually help me improve my situation, and I appreciate that more than I can say.”
What You Should Know About Rape Allegations in California
Rape charges under California Penal Code 261 carry severe penalties that affect nearly every part of a person’s life. The impact extends well beyond jail or prison time.
A conviction may result in:
- State prison terms of three, six, or eight years for most felony cases;
- Mandatory lifetime registration as a sex offender under Penal Code 290;
- Financial penalties of up to $10,000;
- A permanent felony record that restricts housing and employment options;
- Loss of firearm ownership rights;
- Longer sentences when minors or serious injuries are involved.
Because rape is considered a “strike” offense under California’s Three Strikes Law, a conviction can also lead to doubled sentences for any future felony charges.
How I Defend Rape Cases from Start to Finish
Rape cases often turn on how events are described rather than what can be independently verified. From the moment an allegation is made, investigators begin shaping the case around assumptions about consent, credibility, and intent. My role is to test those assumptions before they harden into fixed conclusions.
Each case requires a close review of how the allegation developed and how it was handled:
- The initial report matters: I look closely at how the complaint was first documented, which details were recorded, and whether later statements introduced new or conflicting claims.
- Consent does not exist in isolation: Context, communication, prior interactions, and surrounding circumstances all factor into whether consent was present or withdrawn, and I analyze how those factors were addressed or ignored.
- Forensic findings have limits: Medical examinations may establish contact or timing, but they do not resolve questions of consent. I focus on separating what the evidence shows from what the prosecution claims it proves.
- Credibility must be tested, not assumed: I compare statements against timelines, digital records, and witness accounts to identify inconsistencies or unsupported conclusions.
- Interview methods influence outcomes: The way questions are asked, framed, or repeated can shape responses. I review law enforcement interviews to determine whether the narrative was guided rather than discovered.
From start to finish, my defense work centers on evidence, sequence, and proof. When allegations exceed what the facts support, that gap becomes the focus of the defense.
