The state of Texas has earned a reputation for having some of the most severe prosecutions for those who commit sex crimes. Many of these crimes are categorized as a felony and you could spend as much as 25 years to life in jail. When you eventually get out of prison, you will then have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life.
Offenses deemed to be sex crimes include rape, sexting, prostitution, possession of child pornography, Sexual Assault of a Child, Solicitation of a Minor, Indecency with a Child, Internet Sex Crimes, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Aggravated Sex Crimes of Any Kind, among a handful of others.
In Texas, any kind of sexual assault is considered to be rape. If a sexual encounter is not consensual, then you could be charged with rape. Sexual activity with a person under the age of 17 is a criminal offense regardless of consent.
Sexting involves the storing of indecent photographs on your smartphone or other mobile device. You don’t have to be sending or receiving such material to be charged. Generally, in crimes of this type, indecent images featuring minors will be charged.
Internet sex crimes include solicitation of a minor, sex trafficking, solicitation of prostitution, possession, production or distribution of child pornography, lewdness, cyber stalking, indecent exposure, and transfer of pornographic materials. All offensives within this category must occur on the Internet.
Aggravated sexual assault occurs when the victim is injured, there is an attempt on the victim’s life, threat of force that causes fear, or if a weapon is used in the commission of the crime or the victim is disabled or unable to defend themselves.
Child pornography is images, video, or written material that depicts or describes sexual exploitation of a child. Ownership of such material is deemed to be possession of child pornography.
Penalties for Sex Crimes in Texas
As mentioned above, Texas treats sex crimes very seriously and while the actual penalties for these crimes may vary depending on the facts of the case, they are almost always severe. An example of standard sentencing for a few different types of sex crimes in Texas, include:
- Sexual assault can result in 2 to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
- Aggravated sexual assault can lead to 5 to 99 years in prison.
- Sexting by a minor is considered a Class C Misdemeanor requiring payment of a fine of up to $500.
- Sexting by an adult with a minor can result in a fine of up to $10,000, up to 20 years in prison, or both.
- Possession of child pornography is a second-degree felony leading to 2 to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Regardless of the exact offense committed, a sex crime in Texas can leave you in major trouble and you are likely to feel the repercussions for years if not decades to come. If you are charged with an offense that is classified as a sex crime, then it is essential that you hire a Texas attorney who understands the ins and outs of a sex crime defense in Texas.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime and you are looking for an attorney, then the team at Fears Nachawati is here to help. Our firm includes some of the best criminal defense attorneys in the state of Texas, and we have attorneys that specialize in a wide-range of criminal charges, including sex crimes.
When you retain the services of an experienced Texas criminal defense lawyer like those at Fears Nachawati, you can be assured that our team will fight tirelessly to defend your rights and freedom.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, then don’t delay in reaching out to the attorneys at Fears Nachawati for a free, no obligation legal consultation to discuss the specifics of their case. Please call (866) 705-7584 or visit the offices of Fears Nachawati located throughout the great state of Texas, including in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.