Fort Bend County Sexual Assault of a Child Lawyer

Fort Bend County Sexual Assault of a Child Attorney

If you are charged with sexually assaulting a child, you are looking at an incredibly serious offense. The Texas court system does not take child sex crimes lightly, and you can be sure to face harsh punishments if you are convicted. Reaching out to a Fort Bend sexual assault of a child attorney as soon as possible can make the difference between a life in prison and a clean criminal record.

With such serious charges, you likely feel terrified and hopeless, but hiring a talented lawyer can make a world of difference. The lawyers at Segura & Kiatta, LLP, have been successfully defending Texans for many years, and they can help your case as well.

What Constitutes Sexual Assault of a Child?

The Texas legal system takes all forms of sexual behavior involving minors seriously, from soliciting a minor online to distributing child pornography. One of the most serious criminal offenses is the sexual assault of a minor.

In Texas, the legal age of sexual consent is seventeen, and the court considers anyone who is younger not capable of consenting to sexual acts. Statutory rape laws were enacted to protect minors regardless of their age, gender, or other distinguishing factors.

This means that any adult who has sexual relations of any sort with a person who is seventeen years old or younger is committing a crime. However, it is an affirmative defense if the person is not more than 3 years older than the alleged victim.

If you have been accused of having sexual intercourse with a minor, you can expect to face some of the toughest penalties the court gives out and need to get a sexual assault attorney on your side immediately to advocate on your behalf.

What Is the Penalty for Sexual Assault in Texas?

The sentence you face for a sexual assault conviction in Texas will depend on a lot of factors, including, but not limited to:

• Your Criminal History: All sexual assault cases are serious, but if this is not your first criminal offense, you can expect to face a harsher punishment than if it was.
• The Circumstances of the Case: The exact details of the crime you were convicted of will play a significant role in the sentence the judge decides to give you. For instance, if the sexual assault involved a violent assault that resulted in bodily injury to a child, your sentence will likely be harsher than if it did not.
• The Age of the Victim: If the person who experienced the assault was seventeen years old or younger, you will be charged with sexual assault of a child rather than just sexual assault. This will be the case even if the involved party consented to the action or if the child lied about their age. If the victim was less than six years old, you will face harsher penalties than if they were older, including a minimum of 25 years in prison.

Typically, if you are accused of sexually assaulting a child, you can expect to face felony charges in the second degree. These include:

• Serving a minimum of two and a maximum of twenty years in prison
• Paying up to $10,000 in fines

Other consequences that you will have to face as a result of a conviction for child sex crimes include:

• Having to register as a child sex offender
• No longer having the right to own firearms
• Being legally restricted on where you can live and go to school
• Being barred from access to federal financial aid
• Encountering social stigmas that make it hard to make social and professional connections
• Facing issues with your immigration status if you are not a U.S. citizen

Why You Need to Hire a Sexual Assault of a Child Lawyer

If you are charged with the sexual assault of a child, you are facing some of the hardest charges to defend. In other cases of sexual assault, a lawyer can often help you prove that the situation was, in fact, consensual.

In the case of actions against children, consent is irrelevant. The court does not consider anyone under the age of seventeen to be legally capable of consenting to a sexual action, and, therefore, your defenses are limited.

In order to successfully defend against an accusation of sexual assault against a child, you will need to hire a lawyer who is well-versed in this field and in how to navigate the legal complexities involved in these situations.

It is in your interest to find a lawyer who has successfully defended charges of child sexual assault, as that demonstrates their skill in this field and shows they are well suited for your case. Even though it can sometimes seem like you are cornered if you are facing a child sexual assault charge, there are several possible defenses your lawyer can use, such as:

• Proving that you have an alibi for the time of the alleged event
• Showing that this is a case of mistaken identity
• Highlighting that the witness testimony is not credible
• Demonstrating that law enforcement officers have violated your rights during their investigation

The right criminal defense attorney will review the facts of your specific case and will be able to develop a carefully crafted defense suited to your needs.

Find Out How Segura & Kiatta, LLP, Can Help

If you or a loved one has been accused of sexually assaulting a child, you might be nervous to reach out for your help. Child sex crimes are extremely delicate and come with a large social stigma, and you might be afraid that you will face judgment. This is not the case.

The lawyers of Segura & Kiatta, LLP, have years of experience working with clients who have been accused of serious crimes such as sexual assault. They can approach your case with respect and compassion, and their immediate focus will be on how to craft the most effective defense strategy for you.

When you put your trust in Segura & Kiatta, LLP, you can rest assured that you will be more than just a case number in the system. From your very first consultation, they can take a personal approach to your case and be there to answer any questions, address any concerns, and take a fierce approach to your case.

They can keep you regularly informed about your case and what steps they are taking to protect your interests. You need to work quickly with such severe charges, so reach out today to get ahead of your defense.