Sex crimes represent some of the most strictly pursued crimes in Texas and it is the kind of accusation that can prove life-changing even before the legal process begins.
Rumors spread fast, especially in close communities, and accusations alone can be enough to cause irreparable reputational damage.
Once the legal process begins, the accusations can become even more harrowing. Prosecutors in federal court often seek the harshest penalties available in cases of aggravated sexual assault, child pornography, grooming, and other sexual crimes.
This can lead to fines, jail time, and a potential requirement to spend the rest of the accused’s life registering on the Texas Sex Offender Registry.
Have You Been Arrested For Sex Crimes in Fort Bend County?
If you have been arrested for sexual assault or any other crime that falls into this category, it is vital to appoint a Fort Bend County sex crime defense lawyer as early as possible.
Sex crime convictions can be life-changing, and the more time your criminal defense lawyer has to work on your case, the more opportunities they will have to discover favorable evidence and potentially to even have the case dismissed.
Even when there is a significant chance of conviction for these heavily prosecuted crimes, The Love DuCote Law Firm LLC law office will work with the alleged perpetrator on an aggressive defense in pursuit of a positive outcome.
Sexual assault criminal accusations in Fort Bend County are extremely serious and they won’t go away on their own.
If you’ve been accused of a criminal offense, immediately contact our offices now at 832-843-1691.
What Constitutes A Sex Crime in Fort Bend County?
While sexual crimes are universally aggressively prosecuted in Fort Bend, they include a broad range of offenses. In some cases, drug crimes and money laundering can fall into this category, depending on the victims and the nature of the offenses.
It’s time to appoint a specialist criminal defense lawyer if you’re accused of any of the following:
- Public lewdness.
- Indecent exposure.
- Aggravated sexual assault.
- Possession or distribution of child pornography.
- Sex trafficking.
- Statutory rape.
- Soliciting or engaging in prostitution.
- Aggravated kidnapping.
- Indecency with a minor.
- Sale or distribution of harmful material to a minor.
- Voyeurism.
- Prohibited sexual contact, such as incest.
- Obscenity.
Penalties for Sexual Assault
While all of the crimes outlined above are prosecuted aggressively, there is no set charge for each. Prosecutors will treat each case individually to decide on its severity. If a crime involves any of the following, it will increase the potential penalties:
- Serious bodily injury.
- Use of a deadly weapon.
- Involving a victim younger than 18.
- Associated offenses, such as theft crimes.
The overall punishment will also take into account the specific nature of the offense, the age of the victim and their relationship to the defendant, and any previous criminal record.
As with white-collar crimes and any other offenses in Texas, sexual assault and other crimes in Fort Bend County may be considered either misdemeanors or felonies.
The least serious crimes will result in a Class C misdemeanor charge. In these cases, the penalty is capped at $500 and no jail time.
The most serious sexual offenses, such as aggravated sexual assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, may be considered a first-degree felony. This can result in between five and 99 years or even life in prison.
As with a second-degree felony, there may also be financial penalties reaching up to $10,000.
Registering As A Convicted Sex Offender
Of course, the penalties do not necessarily end there. Anyone convicted of sex crimes not only has a sexual offense on their criminal record for life but may also be legally required to become a registered sex offender.
This applies even in cases where prison time has been served, and is not a replacement for incarceration.
The registry is publicly available online and, as such, can result in challenges in daily life.
Not all convictions require registration, and the requirement can last for either a set period or for life depending on the defendant’s age and criminal record, along with the age of the victim.
Failing to register when legally required to do so is a felony offense in its own right, potentially transforming a sexual assault conviction into additional jail time and fines.
Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
Regardless of the nature of the crime, your sex crime criminal defense lawyer will work to ensure you have access to a fair legal process while ensuring that you maintain your rights throughout. We understand that these accusations are both challenging and distracting, and will ensure that when facing sexual assault charges or any other sexually-motivated accusations, you have access to the legal expertise you require.
We work with every new client to share the information and guidance that will constitute an attorney-client relationship, using decades of experience in criminal defense of sexual assault charges and related crimes.
Contact The Love DuCote Law Firm LLC Today
The negative effects of a sex crime accusation can begin long before the case goes to trial. Reputational damage in the community can happen before charges are even filed, making it all the more important to build the attorney-client relationship as early as possible.
Our local office in Fort Bend County is standing by now to take your call, and we’ll treat your case with the sensitivity and legal expertise it deserves through a confidential consultation.
Don’t wait around for legal counsel. Use a Texas law firm with experience and a proven track record of aggressive representation in criminal cases. Call today for a Fort Bend County sex crimes defense lawyer at 832-843-1691.
