The Bakersfield defense attorneys of Humphrey & Thompson have secured an equitable case result for former Arvin High School teacher Michael Parra, who was accused of having sexual relations with a minor student. After pleading “no contest” to two counts of having inappropriate sex with a minor, five other charges were dismissed.
The expected sentencing requirements through the no contest plea deal include:
- Probation with 180 days in a Kern County jail (with no time in state prison)
- Registration as a sex offender
- Restrictions through a restraining order
Typically, people who plead no contest to sex crimes, especially those involving minors or statutory rape, still spend at least a year in state prison. Through careful negotiations and a discerning eye for the many details that went into this complicated defense case, Attorney Jared Thompson, who took the lead for the defense, convinced the court to accept a less damaging plea deal.
“While these charges could've been run consecutively, and these charges are technically what we call prison-eligible, under all of these factors, it wouldn't have been an equitable outcome, or fair outcome for Mr. Parra to serve a prison sentence,” he explained in an article that was run by 23 ABC Bakersfield. “These charges don't have any elements of coercion, or force, or abuse of power, or anything like that; it's simply what we call strict liability: an act was done, and the person was under the age of 18.”
Specifically, Parra’s former student informed the District Attorney that she would not testify in a case against him. In the letter, she explained that she felt he only engaged in certain sexual behaviors with her because she asked and permitted him to do so. This uncommon response from the minor in question for a sex crime case allowed Attorney Thompson room to argue for the mitigation of the expected sentencing requirements, especially for the removal of state prison time.
For more information about the Bakersfield criminal defense law firm of Humphrey & Thompson, or to get our help with a case of your own, call (661) 760-7678 at any time. Our team is led by the knowledge of Specialists in Criminal Law, has tried dozens of cases to verdict, and has decades of collective practice experience to put to good use for every client’s case. If this sounds like the team you want protecting you from sex crime charges, violent crime charges, or any other sort of misdemeanor, felony, or federal charge, don’t hesitate to contact us right away.
