Texas law is strict when it comes to sex crimes. Harsh penalties involving years in prison, lifelong probation, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and so on, await you if you’re convicted of any type of sexual crime. And even before your case proceeds to trial, being accused of a sex crime can taint your reputation in unimaginable ways.
This is where the services of a Dallas sex crime lawyer come in handy. Contacting an attorney as soon as you’re charged with the crime allows them to create a defense strategy that may see your charges reduced or thrown out of court altogether.
But first, what are the different types of sex crimes you can be charged with in Texas?
In Texas, it’s illegal to engage in any kind of sexual activity with a child (anyone below the age of 18 years). But the law does not stop here. Other activities that don’t particularly involve sexual contact with a child can also be a sex crime.
Some examples of sex crimes involving children include:
Most of these charges are tried in a state court, but some might aggravate to a federal court where the sentencing is usually harsher than the former.
State laws surrounding pornography can be confusing to navigate without legal support from a sex crime lawyer. It’s illegal to create, make, possess, own, or store any form of child pornography in Texas.
Sex crimes involving pornography include:
Sexual assault, or commonly known as rape, often involves the use of force or even violence to engage in non-consensual sexual contact. The two common sex crimes that fall under this crime are:
Knowingly agreeing to receive or offer a fee in return for sexual conduct is a sex crime in Texas. In most cases, the charges overlap with those of sexual trafficking. Examples of such charges include:
If you’ve been accused of or are being investigated for a sex crime, you need an experienced lawyer who has specialized in defending similar charges. Being convicted of such a crime in Texas can strip you of your freedoms and affect the rest of your life.
Contact a sex crime attorney from Chris Lewis & Associates P.C. to get started building your tailormade defense. Schedule your free consultation today by dialing 214-984-3113 or simply head over to their website for more information.
