Disputes about consent are incredibly common in many sex crime cases, which makes it incredibly important for any alleged offender to have legal representation as soon as possible when a sex offense is being investigated. Even when a person is completely confident in his or her innocence, he or she should still exercise his or her right to remain silent instead of attempting to offer any kind of explanation that could end up being unknowingly harmful.
Sex Crimes Defense Services
Do you believe that you might be under investigation or were you already arrested for a sexual offense in Southeast Texas? You should avoid speaking to authorities until you are first able to contact The Gonzalez Law Group. We handle all sex crimes for clients in and around Houston, including the following:
- Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Child Pornography
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Exposure to a Child
- Indecent Exposure
- Indecent Touching of a Child
- Indecency With a Child
- Improper Relationships
- Public Lewdness
- Online Solicitation of a Minor
- Prostitution
- Sexual Assault
- Super Aggravated Sexual Assault
Our Houston criminal defense lawyers defend clients in the greater Harris County area including Pearland, Baytown, Seabrook, La Porte, Pasadena, Galena Park, Friendswood, and many others. Call (832) 530-4070 today to have our experienced attorneys review your case and discuss all of your legal options during a free initial consultation.
Texas Sex Crimes Information Center
Types of Sex Crimes in Texas
Sexual offenses are listed under Title 5, Chapter 21 of the Texas Penal Code. In addition to the 11 crimes listed under this chapter, certain assaultive offenses listed under Chapter 22 are also commonly considered sex crimes.
Some of the most frequent kinds of sex offenses that Gonzalez Law Group handles include, but are not limited to:
- Indecency with a Child
- Child Pornography
- Sexual Assault
- Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Indecent Exposure
- Improper Relationship
- Invasive Visual Recording
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Public Lewdness
- Online Solicitation of a Minor
- Revenge Porn
- Continuous Sexual Abuse
- Sex Offender Registration
- Sexually Violent Predator
Sex Offender Registration in Texas
The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program is established under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Under these state laws, any person with a reportable conviction or adjudication relating to a sexually based offense is required to register as a sex offender.
The amount of time for which a person must register as a sex offender depends on the specific crime for which he or she was convicted and his or her assigned risk level. Numeric risk levels are assigned to sex offenders based on the potential risk they pose to the community upon being released from a penal institution, placed on community supervision, or juvenile probation.
The three different risk levels in Texas are:
- Level One (Low) — Poses a low danger to the community and will not likely engage in criminal sexual conduct;
- Level Two (Moderate) — Poses a moderate danger to the community and may continue to engage in criminal sexual conduct; and
- Level Three (High) — Poses a serious danger to the community and will continue to engage in criminal sexual conduct.
Adult sex offenders register either for life or 10 years following discharge from state supervision. Lifetime registration is required for a “sexually violent offense,” which includes the following offenses committed by a person 17 years of age or older:
- Continuous sexual abuse of young child or children;
- Indecency with a child by contact;
- Sexual assault;
- Aggravated sexual assault;
- Sexual performance by a child;
- Aggravated kidnapping (if committed with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually);
- Burglary (if the premises burglarized was a habitation and the offense was committed with the intent to commit continuous sexual abuse of young child or children, bestiality, indecency with a child, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, prohibited sexual conduct, or aggravated kidnapping committed with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually); and
- An offense under the laws of another state, federal law, the laws of a foreign country, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice if the offense contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of one of the above Texas offenses.
Convictions for any of the following offenses can also result in lifetime sex offender registration:
- Trafficking of persons;
- Prohibited sexual conduct;
- Compelling prostitution of a minor;
- Possession or promotion of child pornography;
- Continuous trafficking of persons;
- Indecency with a child by exposure (if before or after being convicted or adjudicated for this offense, the person receives or has received another reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for an offense or conduct that requires registration);
- Unlawful restraint, Kidnapping, or Aggravated kidnapping if the judgment of the papers in the case contains an affirmative finding that the victim or intended victim was younger than 17 years of age and, if before or after the person is convicted or adjudicated for one of these offenses, the person receives or has received another reportable conviction or adjudication, other than an adjudication of delinquent conduct, for an offense or conduct that requires registration; and
- Obscenity (if the punishment is increased due to the obscene material visually depicts a “child” engaging in sexually explicit activities).
Texas Sex Crime Resources
Victim Services Division | Harris County District Attorney’s Office — The Victim Services Division provides information, assistance, and support to victims of crime in Harris County. Visit this website to learn more about crime victims’ rights in Texas, services the Victim Services Division offers, and how the Crime Victims’ Compensation program works. You can find additional links to resources such as the Texas State Victim Notification Service (VINE), National Domestic Violence Hotline, and Houston Area Women’s Center in the victim resources section of the District Attorney’s Office website.
Crime Victims | Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services — Visit this section of the Texas Attorney General’s website to learn more about services offered by the Crime Victim Services Division’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services (SAPCS) program. You can find information about Local Services for Survivors, Sexual Assault Training Program (SATP) Certification, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). You can also find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the SANE program.
Sex Crime Defense Lawyers in Houston, TX
If you were arrested or you think that you could be under investigation for an alleged sexual offense in Harris County, it will be in your best interest to immediately retain legal counsel. Contact The Gonzalez Law Group before saying anything to authorities.
Our criminal defense attorneys in Houston represent individuals in communities throughout Harris County, Friendswood, Pearland, Seabrook, League City, Deer Park, Pasadena, La Porte, Galena Park, Baytown, and many others. You can have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (832) 530-4070 or fill out an online contact form to receive a free, confidential consultation.