Sexual assault and other related sex crimes can completely derail a life. Individuals who commit sexually-based crimes are seen as dangerous, deviant, and overall threats to society. If someone is charged with and convicted of this crime, they can expect to spend time behind bars in addition to paying steep court-mandated fines. They can also expect to deal with numerous collateral consequences, such as a sex offender registry and a loss of rights such as voting and firearm ownership.
Sex crimes are intensely prosecuted. These are seen as some of the most violent and devious crimes that an individual can partake in. As a result, prosecuting attorneys and investigators typically seek to make an example out of sex offenders who are guilty of the crimes they have been accused of. In certain cases, individuals who have been falsely accused can see their entire lives and livelihoods crumble before their eyes simply because a prosecutor wanted to put them behind bars in an attempt to deter future individuals from committing a similar crime.
Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer in Denton, Frisco, Lewisville, and Flower Mound, TX
Sexual assault charges must be taken seriously if you are ever in the middle of a case or investigation. Even a false accusation can cause you to lose precious time and money. Any person who is accused of committing a sexual offense needs to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately, and without hesitation.
Have you been accused of a sex crime in Denton and do you need legal assistance? If so, The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy have everything you need to build a proper defense. Located in Texas and serving the communities of Denton, Plano, Garland, McKinney, Frisco, and any other surrounding areas of Denton County, our law firm specializes in criminal defense. With years of experience helping Texans with their criminal cases, we are confident we can be the missing puzzle piece to your dire legal situation. For more information on how we can assist you in your legal journey, contact us today at (940) 222-8004 for a consultation.
Definition of Sexual Assault
Texas Penal Code § 220.011 provides an in-depth look into what defines sexual assault in the state of Texas. According to this statute, individuals can be charged with this crime if they have been accused of committing any of the following acts:
- Playing a direct role in causing a child’s anus to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another individual
- Directly causing a child’s mouth to be penetrated by the sexual organ of another individual
- Causing a child’s mouth to contact the anus or sexual organ of another individual
- Causing a child’s sexual organ to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another individual
- Causing a sexual organ of another person to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, without the receiver’s permission or consent
- Penetrating the anus or sex organ of another person without receiving consent from the other party
- Penetrating the mouth of another person with a sexual organ without receiving consent from the other party
Consent is not always a black-and-white term. In some situations, sexual behavior simply cannot occur between two individuals, even if one party submits to the behavior. For example, if a clergyman causes a non-consenting person to submit to their sexual advances by exploiting their emotional dependency by manipulating them into thinking they will get in trouble if they do not engage, they can still be charged with sexual assault, even if the other party said “okay” to the acts. Furthermore, mental health professionals who cause their patients to submit to their sexual advances by exploiting their mental or emotional state can also be charged with sexual assault, even if the patient agrees to the sexual acts.
Penalties for Sexual Assault in Denton
In the state of Texas, sexual assault offenses are typically classified as second-degree felonies. If an individual is found guilty of this, they can expect to spend time in prison, ranging from two to 20 years, in addition to paying a fine that could be as expensive as $10,000. This type of crime may be upgraded to a first-degree felony in certain cases; if this upgrade takes place, the offender can expect to spend anywhere between 5 and 99 years behind bars, in addition to paying a mandatory fine that could be as expensive as $10,000.
The consequences of sexual assault convictions go far beyond jail time and lost money. Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states that individuals who are guilty of this type of crime will be required to register as a sex offender. As a result of this, many individuals find themselves in a terrible place in life after their registry is completed. Sex offenders can be barred from multiple rights, such as the right to vote or own a firearm. In many cases, sex offenders are not allowed to live in neighborhoods or apartment complexes that are closely located to a school, daycare, or church.
Resources for Sexual Assault in Denton County, TX
Silent Screams Inc. – This webpage takes you to the official website of Silent Scream Inc, a non-profit organization that supports survivors of sex crimes. Its mission is to provide sexual assault survivors with the necessary materials, resources, and virtual assistance that aid their physical, mental, and emotional health. This webpage contains a list of 24-hour hotlines that individuals can call if they are in need of immediate assistance or support as a result of sexual assault.
NISDTX: Resources for Child Abuse or Sexual Abuse – This webpage takes you to the official website of the Northwest Independent School District (NISD). The link provided gives the reader a list of resources they can call if sexual assault ever takes place in the home. More and more school districts are providing resources for parents and children to lean on if they ever need to report a sex crime to a trusted source. This aforementioned guide contains information that is relevant to both Denton County and Tarrant County.
Find A Denton County Defense Attorney for Sexual Assault Charges | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Sexual assault charges are extremely serious, and you cannot expect this situation to go away by itself. If you expect to have a chance at overcoming your charges and accusations, you must take the time to hire a criminal defense lawyer who is experienced and qualified to handle these types of problems. Failure to do so can give the prosecuting attorneys and investigators an even greater chance of collecting evidence and building a case that will put you in jail for years to come.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy serve Texans across the state. If you live in Denton, Garland, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, or any other city in the surrounding areas of Denton County, we are ready to provide you with quality legal representation. Our team has worked with thousands of clients, and we have the experience necessary to make sure you have the legal counsel you need to build a quality defense that will withstand attacks from the prosecution. For more information on how we can assist your criminal case, contact us today at (940) 222-8004 to schedule a consultation with our team.