Sex Crimes Attorney in Dallas
Being convicted of a sex offense can change your life in many negative ways. Don’t talk with the police, or sign a plea agreement, without first consulting with a Dallas sex offense attorney from Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C..
Sex offenses are among the worst crimes to be charged with. If convicted of a sex offense, you could suffer many negative and lifelong consequences. Many sex offenses come with registration attached, and you will likely spend some time in prison. In addition, many sex offenders will receive a lifetime probation grant.
You may struggle to secure employment, because most employers don’t allow sex offenders. Some types of careers will be forever barred to you if you’re convicted of a sex crime. For instance, you will never be allowed to work with children or become a teacher.
If you’re facing a sex crime, you should speak with a Dallas sex crime lawyer right away. Everyone is entitled to a defense, and you need legal support during this difficult time.
Examples of Some of the Types of Sex Crimes in Texas
There are different types of sex offenses, and each one is treated differently in terms of penalties and how you will be viewed by society. Some sex crimes are misdemeanors, while others are serious felonies. Each crime can cause upset in your life, but some will affect you more than others.
For instance, if you commit certain types of sex offenses in Dallas, you will be required to register as a sex offender for life. For other sex crimes, you won’t be required to register, but you still will suffer some penalties and consequences, if convicted. Your Dallas sex offense lawyer wants to see you avoid any negative consequences by avoiding conviction.
Listed below are some common sex offenses in Texas, as well as the legal penalties associated with each crime.
- Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child – This offense is a felony of the first degree, punished by life in prison or between twenty-five and ninety-nine years.
- Public Lewdness – This offense is a class A misdemeanor, punished by jail and a fine.
- Indecent Exposure – This offense is a class B misdemeanor, punished by jail and a fine.
- Bestiality – This offense is a state jail felony, or a felony of the second degree if the crime resulted in serious bodily injury or death to the animal, punished by state jail or prison time.
- Indecency with a Child – This offense is a felony of the second or third degree, depending on the circumstances of the case, and is punished by prison time.
- Improper Relationship between Educator and Student – This offense is a felony of the second degree, punished by prison time.
Other types of sex crimes are sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, compelling prostitution, voyeurism, and certain pornography.
How Could a Sex Crime in Dallas Negatively Impact Your Life?
If convicted of a serious sex offense, you will probably spend a large amount of time in prison. Even if you are convicted of a crime and receive a shorter prison or jail term, your life will still be impacted. Here are some of the ways a sex crime can negatively impact you for life.
- Most sex offenses will require you to register in your neighborhood. You also won’t be permitted to live near schools, parks, and other places where children congregate. You will probably be barred from living in certain areas altogether.
- Your job prospects will be severely limited. Very few employers will allow a sex offender to work at their office or workplace. Even if you can find a job, the pay might greatly reduce your financial status.
- Your family will likely suffer extreme embarrassment over your crime, and you could lose relationships completely. For instance, if you’re married and convicted of a sex crime, your spouse might leave you.
- Other family members might not want anything to do with you, or they might not want you around their children. Your sex offense might even ban you from having any unsupervised contact with minors.
As you can see, the consequences for a sex offense conviction in Texas are severe. Your Dallas sex offense lawyer will do everything imaginable to help you reach the best possible outcome in your case.
In some cases, a dismissal might be possible, and in other cases, the best you can receive is a reduced charge. Nevertheless, your outlook is better when you have legal representation than if you try to fight a sex crime on your own.
Possible Defenses against Conviction of a Sex Offense in Dallas
The defenses available to you will depend on the circumstances of your Dallas criminal case.
For instance, if you are accused of sexual assault, there are some defenses you could use. You could argue that you had consent from the person claiming that you sexually assaulted them.
Another defense against a conviction of sexual assault is that you didn’t commit the crime at all. It’s not unheard of for people to try to get others in trouble and claim that something occurred when it didn’t actually happen.
Finally, you could use the defense that you were not mentally sound at the time of the offense. Depending on the case, this could get the charge dropped, if you can prove the mental instability. This defense may also be used to receive a reduced charge for the sexual assault.
For sexual abuse concerning a child, you could argue the defense of “taint.” This defense refers to the fact that children can be easily led to provide an answer that the prosecutor, police, or parents are looking for. The child can be convinced to answer yes when the true answer is no.
It’s even possible to supplant memories into a child’s subconscious suggestively. For instance, many children have false memories of events that their parents have described to them, but they may not actually remember the events at all. They can’t tell the difference between the false memory and a real one.
Mistaken identity is a common defense in sex crime cases. It’s very easy to get people confused, and one person could be accused of a crime they didn’t commit.
In some cases, a rape may occur late at night, the assailant could be masked, or the victim’s memory could be faulty because of the trauma of the experience. They could easily confuse people who look alike, or they could simply accuse the wrong person entirely for some other reason.
There are defenses against conviction of sex crime cases, so don’t give up your life without at least talking with a Dallas sex offense attorney first.
Get Ahold of a Sex Offense Attorney in Dallas, Texas
There is much to lose for you and your family if you’re convicted of a sex crime in Texas. The consequences will be lifelong, and you will never be able to return to the life you led before. Working with a Dallas sex crime attorney can make all the difference in receiving a reduced charge or getting your case dismissed altogether.
The sooner you call, the better chance your Dallas sex crime lawyer has of coming up with a defense that will work for your case. Don’t give up your future without at least putting up a fight. You can reach an attorney by completing the online form below or by calling Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C. directly at 214-665-6930.