Fort Worth Sexual Assault Lawyer
Fort Worth Sexual Assault Defense
Sexual assault allegations turn lives upside down. There are few things worse than being accused of sexual assault – whether that accusation is an adult sexual assault or child sexual assault. You may find out about an allegation because the accuser confronts you, a police detective contacts you, or in some cases, when you’re placed under arrest. Regardless of the scenario, it’s extremely important to contact a Fort Worth sexual assault defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Every Fort Worth sexual assault attorney at our firm has dedicated their entire careers to criminal law, starting their careers as prosecutors. Because we have been on the other side, we know the prosecutor’s playbook and recognize how police officers, CPS workers, and “forensic experts” often get tunnel vision in sexual assault cases. We see how quickly the presumption of innocence seems to go out the door, and so we are aggressive in our defense of sexual assault charges from the moment an accusation is made.
Why you should listen to our Fort Worth Sexual Assault Lawyers
- We have dedicated our entire professional careers to criminal law exclusively. All of the partners at the firm served first as prosecutors. We know the prosecutor’s playbook and, in some instances, helped write the playbook.
- We are in the courtrooms and in front of judges daily. We know the nuances of each judge and prosecutor, what works and doesn’t.
- We have an extensive amount of trial experience. Together our senior attorneys have tried over 750 cases to juries in Texas. Individually, each has tried over 100 cases.
- Board Certification: Three of our partners are Board Certified in Criminal Law – the highest designation possible for a criminal defense lawyer.
- We do not operate in volume; we are as compassionate and understanding as we are relentless and aggressive in the courtroom.
Tips: What should you do if accused of sexual assault?
Tip 1: Do Not Talk To Investigators.
If by some good fortune, you are reading this article before you’ve talked to a CPS investigator or a detective – whatever you do, do not talk to them. If you think the truth will set you free – it won’t – not with them. If they tell you that your candor will be taken into consideration – that’s a lie. If they tell you that they already can prove their case without you – you have no way of knowing if that is true, but it’s very hard to unring a bell once it has been rung. Not impossible, just very difficult.
Tip 2: Contact An Attorney As Quickly As Possible.
An allegation of sexual assault often results in a warrant being issued, an arrest and a bond being posted before you’ve had a chance to collect your thoughts and contact an attorney. This certainly happens before you’ve even had any meaningful opportunity to defend yourself. Notice that just an allegation – someone’s word without any additional proof – is enough to make all those things happen.
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What to Look for in the Sexual Assault Attorney Interview and Consultation
When you or a family member gets their feet under them, you’ll want to set up a consultation with a top criminal defense attorney. For example, during our consultations our attorneys:
- Assess whether you and your case is a good fit for our firm
- Discuss the facts or allegations that led to your arrest or the investigation
- Analyze and discuss possible defensive issues
- Chart a path forward to put you in the best position to defend against this allegation.
During the consultation, you should assess whether we are a good fit for you by considering:
- Our experience
- Our experience in the courts and against the prosecutors on your case
- The number of times we have taken cases to trial
- How comfortable you feel entrusting your life into the hands of the attorney you are speaking to.
Exclusive Interview: How Sexual Assault Investigations Are Often One-Sided
Goals in Sexual Assault Cases for our Fort Worth Sexual Assault Lawyers
Our goals as your sexual assault defense attorneys are threefold:
- avoid prison time,
- avoid a conviction, and
- resolve the case in a manner that allows for even the arrest record to be cleared or sealed.
Types of Sexual Assault Allegations
Sexual Assault Offenses In Texas
There are a number of sexual offenses a person can be charged with in Texas. Here are the most common:
Indecent Assault
- Age: Not a Factor
- Offense: Without consent touches anus, breasts, or genitals, exposes them, puts them in contact with bodily fluids or excretions.
- Punishment: Class A Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and up to $4,000 fine
Sexual Assault
- Age is not necessarily a factor
- Penetration of anus or sexual organ without consent or mouth with sexual organ without consent
- Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Age is not necessarily a factor
- Sexual Assault +(serious bodily injury/attempted death or threat of serious bodily injury, deadly weapon, drug)
- First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Aggravated Sexual Assault Of A Child
- Under 14, if age is the aggravating factor
- Sexual Assault + (weapon or SBI or threat of SBI/death or drugged or under 14 or elderly)
- First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Super Aggravated Sexual Assault Of A Child (Age)
- Under 6, if age is the super aggravating factor
- Sexual Assault of Child under 6
- 25 years – life, up to $10,000 fine, no probation or parole
Super Aggravated Sexual Assault Of A Child
- Under 14
- Sexual Assault of Child under 14 + (SBI or Threat or Deadly Weapon or Drugged)
- 25 years – life, up to $10,000 fine, no probation or parole
Sexual Assault Of A Child
- Under 17
- aka Statutory rape; penetration of the sexual organ, anus, mouth or contact of mouth to same.
- Generally a second degree felony, bumped up to first degree felony if prohibited from marrying (incest)
Continuous Sexual Abuse Of A Young Child Or Children
- Under 14
- Two or more qualifying sex acts over 30 days apart; regardless if committed against one or more victims
- 25 years – life, up to $10,000 fine, no probation or parole
Indecency With A Child By Contact
- Under 17
- Contact, not penetration, of genitals, anus, breast, including over clothing.
- Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Indecency With A Child By Exposure
- Under 17
- Exposure of anus or any part of their genitals, knowing the child is present; or causes the child to expose with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person
- Third degree felony, 2-10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Indecent Exposure
- Age is not a factor
- Exposure for purposes of sexual gratification to someone who might be offended or alarmed.
- Class B misdemeanor, 0-180 days, up to a $2,000 fine
Indecent Assault
- Age is not a factor
- Without consent and with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, touching the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of another person; touching another person with the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of any person; exposes or attempts to expose another person’s genitals, pubic area, anus, buttocks, or female areola; or causes another person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of any person.
- Punishment: Class A Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and up to $4,000 fine
Sexual Performance By A Child
- Under 18
- employs, authorizes, or induces a child younger than 18 years of age to engage in sexual conduct
- If between 14-18, Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
- If under 14, First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Online Solicitation Of A Minor
- Under 17
- Adult has a sexually explicit conversation; or sends a sexually explicit media; or asks to meet the minor to engage in sexual contact
- Explicit materials or media and 14-17 is a third degree felony
- Conversation about meeting, or explicit conversation under 14 is a second degree felony
Prohibited Sexual Conduct
- Age is not a factor
- Deviate sexual intercourse or sexual intercourse; actor’s ancestor/descendant; current or former stepchild/parent; brother or sister; son or daughter
- By a Parent: Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Other family member: Third degree felony, 2-10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Trafficking A Child
- Under 18
- Traffics child to engage in forced labor or sexual conduct.
- First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Trafficking
- Age is not a factor
- Transport, entice, recruit, harbor, provide, or otherwise obtain another person by any means.
- Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Improper Relationship Between Educator & Student
- Age is not a factor
- Sexual contact between a teacher, educator, or any employee of a primary or secondary school and a student.
- Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine
Compelling Prostitution Of A Child
- Under 18
- Person knowingly causes another by force, threat, coercion, fraud or by any means a child to commit prostitution.
- First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Aggravated Promotion Of Prostitution
- Age is not a factor.
- Owns, invests in, finances, controls, supervises, or manages prostitution enterprise with two or more prostitutes.
- First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Promotion Of Prostitution
- Age is not a factor
- Receives proceeds; solicits another to engage for compensation.
- Third degree felony, 2-10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine; If under 18: First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Sale, Distribution, Or Display Of Harmful Material To Minor
- Under 18
- Material appeals to the prurient interest of a minor, in sex, nudity, or excretion; sells, distributes, exhibits, or possesses for sale, distribution, or exhibition to a minor.
- Class A Misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and up to $4,000 fine; Hires a minor: Third degree felony, 2-10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine;
Possession Or Promotion Child Pornography
- Under 18
- Possession or accesses with intent to view, visual material that depicts a child younger than 18 years of age at the time the image of the child was made engaging in sexual conduct.
- Possession: Third degree felony, 2-10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine. Promotion: Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine.
Employment Harmful To Children
- Under 18
- Prohibits employment at a massage establishment, nude studio, modeling studio, love parlor, or other similar enterprises with the primary goal of offering services intended to provide sexual stimulation or gratification to customers.
- Between 14-18: Second degree felony, 2-20 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine. Under 14: First degree felony, 5-99 years or life, up to $10,000 fine.
Possession Or Promotion Of Lewd Visual Material Depicting Child
- Under 18
- Depicts the lewd exhibition of the genitals or public area of a child; appeal to prurient interest in sex;
- State jail felony, 180 days – 2 years and up to $10,000 fine.
Electronic Transmission Of Certain Visual Material Depicting Minor
- Under 18.
- Promotes to another minor visual material depicting a minor engaging in sexual conduct.
- Can be Class C, A, or B Misdemeanor depending on circumstances.
Our Fort Worth Sexual Assault Lawyer Team is made up of Experts
Our Fort Worth sexual assault defense lawyers have been exceptionally successful at reaching these goals, but success starts with an understanding of what you are going through. Three of our lawyers are Board Certified experts in criminal law.
The moment you are accused of sexual assault, your life changes. Regardless of whether there is truth to any of the allegations, you are on the verge of being labeled a sex offender and you are facing serious time in the penitentiary.
False accusations are, unfortunately, made very often. Only a defense attorney experienced in sexual assault cases can guide you through the process that begins the moment an accusation is made. The accusation is followed by an investigation, the case being filed by the detective, the grand jury process, indictment, pre-trial settings and may ultimately end with a trial by jury.
Our lawyers are experienced at launching our own investigation and gathering evidence as soon as an allegation is made. Our legal team has experienced investigators who can unearth evidence usually only accessible to professionals who are experienced in investigating these types of matters.
Potential Defenses Against Sexual Assault Charges
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling cases alleging sexual assault. Common sex crime defenses include:
- The sex act was consensual
- The defendant was married or dating the alleged victim
- The victim mistook the defendant for someone else
- The defendant has an alibi
Frequently Asked Questions about Sexual Assault
The rules that apply to sexual offenses in Texas are found throughout the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure. Some of the most common questions clients ask include:
- What is the punishment range for sexual assault in Texas?
Sexual assault is generally a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison. - What is the statute of limitations? (How long can they wait before pressing charges?)
The statute of limitations is for adult sexual assault is 10 years. However, there is no statute of limitations in a number of circumstances, including if DNA was collected, if it involves serial sexual assault or sexual assault of a child. - Will I have to register as a sex offender for sexual assault in Texas?
If you are convicted of sexual assault, you will have to register as a sex offender. - Can I get probation for sexual assault in Texas?
Yes, for most sexual assault charges, if you have never before been convicted of a felony in the state of Texas, a jury could recommend probation.
There are a number of sexual assault offenses in Texas. Most require registration as a sex offender if convicted. A staggering number of sexual assault offenses are filed each year. Here is a summary of sex cases that were filed in Tarrant County alone over a five-year period:
Common Sexual Assault Bond Conditions
Even though there is a presumption of innocence in any criminal case, once you are charged with a crime the court will place you on a set of bond conditions you must abide by if you wish to remain out of custody.
- Defendant is subject to a child safety zone: The defendant may not supervise or participate in any program that includes as participants or recipients, persons who are 17 years of age or younger and that regularly provide athletic, civic or cultural activities; or go in, on, or within a distance specified by the judge of premises where children commonly gather, including, but not limited to, a school, day-care facility, playground, public or private youth center, public swimming pool, amusement park, recreation center, or video arcade facility. Specified distance is 1, 000 feet.
- Do not supervise, accept any employment and/or participate in any program or volunteer activity that includes as participants or recipients persons who are 17 years of age or younger and that regularly provide athletic, civic, cultural, or other activities.
- Defendant will not possess any printed, photographed, or recorded material that he/she may use for the purpose of his/her deviant sexual arousal. Nor shall the defendant frequent any place where such material is available for the purpose of deviant sexual arousal. The defendant shall not possess, acquire, obtain, retain or review journalistic, video, photographic, electronic, compact disc, computer-generated or computer originated material, or material generated by an individual or material that is sent or received by the Internet, World Wide Web, text/photo messaging with a cellular device or electronic mail that is sexually oriented and/or portrays nudity of a child or of an adult.
- Avoid any and all contact in any form or fashion with the victim and his or her family. Do not attempt to contact the victim or his or her family by writing, in person, by telephone, or any other harassing manner and do not employ any agents to act on your behalf in reference to contacting the victim or his or her family.
- Defendant shall not reside in a home where persons who are 17 years of age or younger reside unless approved by the court.
- Defendant shall have no contact, visitation, or personal association with any person 17 years of age or younger unless approved by the court. This includes, but is not limited to, contact by phone, writing, and/or in person.
- Defendant will abide by a curfew by remaining in his/her place of residence between the hours of Midnight and 6:00 AM with the exception of medical emergencies or employment. If a medical emergency arises or employment conflicts with the curfew, the defendant is required to provide verification to the Court.
- You shall be responsible for your appearance at all times. This includes the wearing of undergarments and clothing in places where another person may be expected to view you.
- Defendant shall not hitchhike nor pick up hitchhikers.
- Defendant shall not possess, install, and/or download any programs or software on his/her computer equipment that is intended to erase or delete internet and computer activities.
- Defendant is prohibited from using the Internet or World Wide Web to access material that is obscene, access a commercial social networking site, communicate with another individual concerning sexual relations with an individual who is younger than 17 years of age, or communicate with another individual the defendant knows is younger than 17 years of age.
- Install and activate at your own expense, a software program capable of tracking or blocking access to sexually explicit material on any personal computer in your residence or place of employment. Software must be approved by the Court.
Fort Worth Sexual Assault Defense: How Can We Help?
The sooner you call us the better. It is imperative to have a seasoned Fort Worth sexual assault defense lawyer in your corner. In a perfect world, you will call a defense lawyer before you call back a detective. A common ruse employed by detectives is for them to call you and invite you down to give “your side of the story” at a location like Alliance for Children. Make no mistake, while it is true that you will walk out of that meeting a free man or woman, understand that an arrest is imminent. It is crucially important to call an experienced sexual assault defense lawyer as soon as you can before or after a detective has contacted you. While avoiding an arrest may not be possible in every instance, there are instances where our defense lawyers have prevented arrests, negotiated self-surrenders, assisted in getting bonds, won the case at the grand jury level, and taken others to trial.
The road to defending an allegation of sexual misconduct, rape, or any form of sexual misconduct can be a long one. If you have or live with children, expect their lives will be disrupted by CPS. During the investigative phase, it is essential to have a defense lawyer represent you before you even consider having a conversation with a detective or an investigator. If a case is filed, understand that you will have to abide by bond conditions even though you have not been found guilty of an offense. You will have to make a bond, which may be set extremely high. You may have to change your residence. All of this will be happening while you are working with us on the defense of your case. Our sexual assault defense lawyers are experienced in defending individuals throughout the process and are extremely skilled at taking cases to trial should the need arise. Come by our office and visit us to learn more about how we are different. We are the only criminal defense firm in Fort Worth with a mock courtroom where we prepare you for trial. Call us today to speak to one of our defense attorneys today.
A Proactive Defense to Sexual Assault Allegations is the Best Defense
Call us to find out why time is of the essence and what our sexual assault defense attorneys can do to:
- try to prevent a case from being filed,
- prevent the case from being indicted and
- complete our own investigation to put you in the best possible position for a dismissal, no-bill, or reduction.
If you have been accused of rape or another sexual offense, you can’t settle for anything other than the best possible defense and outcome for your situation. Hire the defense firm that brings over three decades of experience to the table and handles your case with the discretion and seriousness the allegations require.
Call a Fort Worth Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
Being accused of sexual assault can be overwhelming. You don’t have to go this alone. Our defense lawyers have decades of experience and a proven track record of success. We are known for our aggressive, proactive approach to criminal defense. The stakes are too high to leave anything to chance. Call our Fort Worth sexual assault defense lawyers today for help.