Sex Crimes Lawyers in Angleton, TX

Sex Crime Cases We Handle in Angleton, Brazoria County & Beyond

Sex crimes in Texas can include but are not limited to: 

• Sexual assault: Engaging in non-consensual sexual intercourse or other sexual activities with another person. This includes situations where the victim is unable to consent due to age, disability, or intoxication.
• Aggravated sexual assault: Similar to sexual assault but involves additional factors such as the use of a deadly weapon, causing serious bodily injury, or targeting a victim who is disabled, elderly, or a child.
• Indecency with a child: Engaging in sexual contact with a child under 17 or exposing oneself to a child with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire.
• Continuous sexual abuse of a young child: Repeated sexual abuse of a child under 14. This offense requires at least two acts of sexual abuse during 30 days or more.
• Improper relationship between educator and student: Sexual contact or a romantic relationship between an educational professional and a student enrolled in the same school or academic institution.
• Online solicitation of a minor: Using the internet or other electronic communications to solicit a minor under 17 for sexual contact or to engage in sexual conduct.
• Sexual performance by a child: Employing, authorizing, or inducing a child under 18 to engage in sexual performance. This includes both live performances and recordings.
• Voyeurism: Observing someone without their consent for sexual arousal, typically in situations where privacy is expected, such as in a bathroom or changing room.
• Public lewdness: Engaging in sexual acts in a public place or where others are likely to see, causing offense or alarm.
• Prostitution: Engaging in or offering to engage in sexual conduct for a fee. This includes both the person offering and the person soliciting the service.
• Sex trafficking: Recruiting, harboring, or transporting individuals to engage in sexual acts through force, fraud, or coercion. This is a severe offense often involving minors or vulnerable populations.

Factors Affecting Penalties in Angleton Sex Crimes

Several factors determine the penalties for sex crimes in Texas. The nature and gravity of the offense play a crucial role. More severe acts, such as those involving violence or coercion, carry harsher penalties.

Crimes involving minors, especially young children, typically result in more severe penalties. The younger the victim, the harsher the potential punishment. Furthermore, aggravating circumstances can enhance charges and penalties. Factors such as the use of a deadly weapon, causing serious bodily injury, or committing the crime as part of a larger pattern of abuse can lead to enhanced penalties. Consulting with a sex crime attorney can help you understand any of the complexities surrounding the charges you face, as well as your potential defenses.

A defendant's past criminal record can influence the severity of the sentence. Repeat offenders often face stiffer penalties. Offenses against alleged victims who are considered “vulnerable”, such as people with disabilities or seniors, can result in harsher penalties.

Types of Felony Sex Crimes in Texas

In Texas, many sex crimes are classified as felonies, which are categorized into different levels based on their severity:

• First-degree felonies include aggravated sexual assault and continuous sexual abuse of a young child.
• Second-degree felonies include sexual assault and indecency with a child.
• Third-degree felonies include exposing oneself to a child under 17 with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire or sexual contact between an educator and student.

Additional felony crimes include online solicitation of a minor, sexual performance by a child, and sex trafficking.

Felony penalties include: 

• First-degree: Punishable by life imprisonment or a term of five to 99 years and a fine up to $10,000.
• Second-degree: Punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Third-degree: Punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• State jail felony: Punishable by 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a fine up to $10,000.

Sex Offender Registration in Texas

Mandatory sex offender registration is required in many Texas sex crime convictions. 

Individuals are required to register if they are convicted of specific sex crimes, including but not limited to:

• Sexual assault
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Indecency with a child
• Online solicitation of a minor

Both adults and juveniles (under certain conditions) may be mandated to register. Failure to comply with registration requirements can result in additional legal penalties.

The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains an accessible online database where the public can search for registered sex offenders. Information includes the offender’s name, photograph, physical description, address, offense details, and risk level. Depending on the severity of the crime, registration may be for 10 years or a lifetime.

What Should I Do If Contacted by Police About a Sex Crime Allegation?

If contacted by police regarding a sex crime allegation, it is critical to stay calm and exercise your right to remain silent. You should not provide any statements or agree to an interview without having a lawyer present. It is within your legal right to request an attorney and to refrain from answering questions until one is present. Early involvement of a sex crime lawyer in Angleton can help protect your freedoms and rights from the outset.

How Long Does a Sex Crime Case Typically Last?

The duration of a sex crime case in Angleton can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the charges, the amount of evidence being reviewed, and the court's schedule in Brazoria County. Some cases can conclude in a few months, while others might last over a year. Continuous communication with your sex crime lawyer can offer a better understanding of your timeline as they are familiar with local court processes and procedural expectations.