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Sex Crimes
Indecency with a child Criminal Defense Lawyers in Frisco, Texas
Relentless Defense Against Sex Crimes Allegations in Frisco, Carrollton, Collin, Denton & Surrounding Counties
Have you been charged with indecency with a child in Collin & Denton County Texas? In the state of Texas, a charge of indecency with a child is a very severe matter, it is right up there with Murder, especially in Collin & Denton County. If you are found guilty of this felony violation, you might spend a significant amount of time in prison (if not the remainder of your life), pay hefty penalties, and be required to register as a sex offender upon release. You may also face a civil lawsuit. The state of Texas has enacted legislation that takes the safeguarding of children extremely seriously. One of the unintended consequences of this is that prosecutors and judges frequently prosecute individuals with an excessive amount of enthusiasm, and as a result, it is not uncommon for someone who is not genuinely responsible for the conduct to be punished improperly as a result of this.
The allegation of indecency with a child by physical contact, which is commonly referred to as “fondling,” is a highly serious matter. If you are facing allegations of indecency with a child charge in Texas, especially in conservative counties such as Collin or Denton that have vast financial resources to prosecute every case that comes in, you absolutely must speak with an experienced and dedicated criminal lawyers at Ridgely Davis Law in Frisco, TX serving Collin, Denton and surrounding counties to learn about your legal options and defend yourself against a possible conviction. Your case need to be managed by a trusted sex crimes criminal defense attorney who is well-versed in the strategies necessary to fight these terrible cases..
If you are found guilty and given a lengthy jail term, not only will your freedom be in jeopardy, but also your work, reputation, friendships, and connections with those who are important to you will be in jeopardy as well.
Put your mind at ease by getting an experienced Frisco Indecency with a Child Defense Lawyer on your side immediately. Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with the Collin | Denton County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Ridgely Davis Law at (469) 935-4600. Learn how we can help build your defense.
Indecency with a Child by Contact Charges: TX Sentencing & Punishment
In Texas, felony offenders face extremely severe punishments, and the state does not tolerate any sort of indecency with a child. You will always be facing felony charges if you are accused of indecency with a minor, and the state of Texas may force you to register as a sexual offender if you are convicted of this crime.
Indecency with a child by contact is a more serious offense than indecent exposure and it is considered a second-degree felony in the state of Texas.
If a person is convicted of engaging in sexual contact with a child or causes a child to engage in sexual contact, they may face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Indecency with a child by exposure is a felony of the third degree. It is punishable by:
- Between 2 and a maximum of up to 10 years in prison
- a maximum possible fine of up to $10,000
Many aggravating factors may play a role in how harsh or lenient the sentencing is for indecent contact with a child, such as if the defendant is a first-time or repeat offender, if the accused’s actions were considered violent, if the accused committed the crime under great stress or duress as well as other mitigating circumstances.
Regardless of the felony level charge, if you are convicted of any felony, you will lose the ability to vote, as well as the right to possess or carry a handgun and to serve on a jury. It is quite possible that you will also have to deal with a number of other unintended effects, such as having trouble obtaining work, losing special permits, and a great deal more. If you are married or have children of your own, you could also face a divorce suit, or a Child Custody Suit.
Defending These Allegations
You do have some defenses under the law that may help, if proven, to beat the allegation of indecency with a child by arguing that one of the following affirmative defenses applies to your situation.
- if the alleged perpetrator was no more than four years older than the alleged victim;
- if the alleged perpetrator did not use threats, force, or duress against the child;
- if the alleged perpetrator was of the opposite sex than the child;
- and if the alleged perpetrator was not already a registered sex offender.
- If the parties were already married at the time of the claimed occurrence, then the allegation cannot be applied to them either.
In the end, even if one of the affirmative defenses does not apply to your situation, there are still various methods to contest the case against you based on the particular facts of your situation. The following are some of them, however this list is by no means exhaustive:
- making a petition to suppress particular evidence in order to exclude it
- creating reasonable doubt for the jury
- establishing contradictions in the prosecutor’s case
- and proving that the supposed “victim” has been dishonest in his or her testimony.
You are able to provide a solid defense that will guarantee your constitutional rights are preserved when you have an experienced attorney on your side helping you along the way. You do not have to defend yourself against these accusations on your own. The Collin | Denton County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Ridgely Davis Law in Frisco, Texas will stand by you throughout it all.
CONSULT AN EXPERIENCED Frisco, Texas Indecency with a Child Defense Lawyer
If you or someone you care about has been charged with indecency with a child in Frisco, Texas and within Collin, Dallas, Denton and surrounding counties, you need an attorney who is skilled and competent to fight for your constitutional rights and defend your innocence.
You can count on the Indecency with a Indecency with a Child Sex Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyers at Ridgely Davis Law in Frisco, Texas to protect your rights and to provide you with the assistance you need to defend your case. Get in touch with the Ridgely Davis Law right now at (469) 935-4600 to schedule a no-cost consultation appointment.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Experienced Sex Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer in Frisco, TX serving Collin, Dallas, Denton and surrounding Counties. (469) 935-4600
Take the first Step
Accused a Sex Crime, such as indecency with a child, in the Collin, Denton County regions of Texas? It is essential to get an understanding on how to address the allegations and develop a plan to move forward. At Ridgely Davis Law our Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers are ready to answer your questions and help you develop a strategy to fight the charges in your unique Assault matter.
Indecency with a Child Statute
Sec. 21.11. INDECENCY WITH A CHILD. (a) A person commits an offense if, with a child younger than 17 years of age, whether the child is of the same or opposite sex and regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child at the time of the offense, the person:
(1) engages in sexual contact with the child or causes the child to engage in sexual contact; or
(2) with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person:
(A) exposes the person’s anus or any part of the person’s genitals, knowing the child is present; or
(B) causes the child to expose the child’s anus or any part of the child’s genitals.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor:
(1) was not more than three years older than the victim and of the opposite sex;
(2) did not use duress, force, or a threat against the victim at the time of the offense; and
(3) at the time of the offense:
(A) was not required under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, to register for life as a sex offender; or
(B) was not a person who under Chapter 62 had a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense under this section.
(b-1) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor was the spouse of the child at the time of the offense.
(c) In this section, “sexual contact” means the following acts, if committed with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person:
(1) any touching by a person, including touching through clothing, of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of a child; or
(2) any touching of any part of the body of a child, including touching through clothing, with the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of a person.
(d) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree and an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a felony of the third degree.
Trusted Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers