Sexual Assault of a Child
Houston Child Sexual Assault Attorney
A person accused of the sexual assault of a child is facing one of the most serious sex crimes charges under Texas criminal law. At stake are the person’s freedom, reputation and standing in the community. Allegations of sexual assault of a child are usually assigned to the most experienced and specially trained police investigators and prosecutors. A person accused of this crime needs to be represented by an equally experienced and skilled child sexual assault lawyer in Houston.
What is Sexual Assault of a Child?
Texas defines sexual assault as any forced, non-consensual sexual contact or sexual penetration. When the victim of the offensive conduct is a child, any sexual act that results in physical, mental or emotional harm to the child falls under the category of sexual assault.
Texas criminal laws classify the following conduct as sexual assault of a child:
- Child pornography
- Inappropriate physical contact such as fondling and molestation
- Child prostitution
- Lascivious exposure or behavior
- Sexual intercourse, sodomy or any other sexual penetration of a minor
Penalties for Child Sexual Assault
The Texas Penal Code classifies sexual assault of a child under specific felony categories depending upon the conduct for which a person is convicted. Some examples of the sex crimes penalties a judge can impose as a sentence include:
- Indecent exposure: Punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
- Aggravated sexual assault of a child: Punishable with up to 99 years in prison and fines up to $10,000
- Automatic life imprisonment for repeat offenders
Ashley’s Law requires those convicted of sexual assault of a child to serve a minimum of half of the prison sentence imposed by the court before they are eligible for parole. This new law is consistent with the state’s view that those convicted of the most heinous crimes deserve the most severe punishment.
Convicted offenders must register with law enforcement agencies as sex offenders. This makes an offender’s name, address, photograph and conviction information available online as a public record through a state database.
A Strong Defense Against Charges
Prosecutors target child sexual assault charges for aggressive prosecution and usually seek the maximum sentences allowed by law. Houston child sexual assault attorney Rand Mintzer knows what is at stake, and he acts quickly to design a defense strategy to minimize media exposure and attack the credibility of the prosecution witnesses.
Contact a Child Sexual Assault Lawyer in Houston, TX
A sexual assault of a child charge can ruin your life and take away your freedom. Put three decades of criminal law experience to work for you. Talk to Rand Mintzer at 713-862-8880 for a free legal consultation.