Voyeurism Criminal Defense Lawyers

Relentless Defense Against Sex Crimes Allegations in Frisco, Carrollton, Collin, Denton & Surrounding Counties

The crime of Voyeurism gets lopped in with other categories of sexual assault related offenses and as such Voyeurism is understood by many who work in the justice system to be just another sexual crime some where on the sexual offense continuum that encompasses actions such as sexual harassment on one end and rape on the extreme end. Due to this harsh belief, prosecution believe that activities such as voyeurism if not treated harshly and stopped that individual might some day easily evolve to far more severe felonies such as rape.  A person who obtains sexual enjoyment from viewing the genital organs or sexual activities of others, particularly from a hidden vantage point, is described as a “voyeur.”

Crimes classified as voyeurism are taken very seriously across the state of Texas especially in the conservative North Texas Counties of Collin, Denton and Surrounding Counties.  If you are suspected of committing this kind of crime, you need the assistance of a trusted and experienced Voyeurism Criminal Defense Attorneys of Ridgely Davis Law serving Collin, Denton and Surrounding Texas Counties from Frisco, TX and Carrollton, TX.

Put your mind at ease by getting an experienced Voyeurism 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.

Frisco, Texas Lawyer Representing Clients Charged with Voyeurism

If you were accused of being a voyeur in Frisco, Plano, Carrollton, and surrounding areas in Collin, Denton County Texas  then you should schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney who has prior experience defending clients against charges related to sexual offenses including Voyeurism.  Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with our experienced Collin | Denton County Voyeurism Criminal Defense Lawyers in Frisco, Texas so we can review the accusations that have been brought against you, the manner in which law enforcement obtained evidence and any viable defenses that may be helpful for your case.

 The “Peeping Tom” Law

Peeping Tom laws have been on the books in Texas since 2015, when the state first codified voyeurism as a criminal offense. In the past, the only charge that could be brought against peeping toms was that of disorderly behavior. Now, a prosecutor has the ability to file “Voyeurism” charges in situations where there is proof that an individual spies on others in order to fulfill a sexual desire.

Again, the push to codify the peeping tom activity into a specific crime of Voyeurism was due to many prosecutors arguing that behaviors such as voyeurism can quickly lead to more serious offenses such as stalking, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and sex crimes involving minors.  In order for prosecutors to successfully achieve a conviction, it is essential for them to determine whether or not the victim had a reasonable expectation of maintaining their privacy. It is necessary to provide evidence that the suspect behaved out of sexual inclination. In addition, there must not be any room for misunderstanding in order to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

While juries nowadays are very sensitive and emotional when prosecuting sexual related crimes, one hurdle that must be over come is the cliched example of a neighbor taking a casual glance over a privacy fence and and observes a person’s private swimming pool while they are enjoying their backyard, perhaps that person is naked and the neighbor looked over several times.  Thankfully, in some counties, many potential jurors are not quite ready to treat that as Voyeurism.  Sometimes it will hinge on whether the person accused of voyeurism was observed doing more than just observing, such as masturbating or doing something to signify that they were getting a form of sexual pleasure from watching.

An experienced Collin | Denton County Criminal Defense Lawyer, such as those at Ridgely Davis Law, in Frisco, Texas, will have an idea of how to present your case in a fashion to illustrate that your actions, if any were done at all, do not meet the penal code definition of Voyeurism and this is often done by explaining away the requirement that the alleged offender was fulfilling a sexual desire.  Some individuals are accused of voyeurism when in fact that were just in the wrong place at wrong time and they were falsely accused.

The circumstances underlying each and every criminal complaint are often one of a kind. And not every instance of “voyeurism” is as clear cut as others. The question of whether or whether the suspect acted out of desire compels the prosecutor, in many cases, to present further evidence that indicates the defendant’s guilt.

Therefore, if someone calls the police to report an intruder on their property and a suspect is arrested who has video on their smartphone showing the person who made the call half-naked and changing clothes in their bedroom just a few minutes ago, the prosecution is in a better position to win the case and get a conviction. In light of these facts, it is highly possible that the suspect will also be charged with “Invasive Visual Recording” in accordance with Texas Penal Code section 21.15, which is a “felony” in addition to Voyeurism.

Or, if the victim was sunbathing naked and the suspect allegedly watched them for a lengthy amount of time, it could be simpler for the prosecution to demonstrate that the offender acted with sexual purpose in mind when they committed the crime. If you were to spy on other people while they were changing at a public pool or a clothes store, you would most likely be in violation of this standard.

Regardless of the facts and allegations you are facing, you need to speak to an experienced Voyeurism Defense Lawyer immediately before talking to anyone else regarding what may or may not have occured.

A Significant Complication to the “Voyeurism” and “Peeping Tom” Law

This law, sometimes known as the “Revenge Porn” statute, places restrictions on what can be done with images and recordings that depict sexual activity or nudity. If the photograph or video is shared or shown without the agreement of the individual or persons involved, the suspect may be convicted of a Class A “misdemeanor” and sentenced to a fine of up to $4,000 and/or county jail for up to one year, depending on the severity of the offense. Convicted defendants may be looking at the maximum amount of time for the Class A charge if “Voyeurism” is additionally charged with the primary offense. This is in contrast to the situation in which “Voyeurism” is not a “companion” charge.

The Penal Code was updated in September 2019 to include recent clarifications of the criteria under which this offense can be prosecuted, as well as the weight of proof that the prosecution must meet, in order for there to be a successful conviction.

Due to the fact that these clarifications are so recent, the appeals procedure has not yet been completed on them. There is already a presumption among some legal academics that these most recent changes would violate people’s rights to free expression, which would make them unlawful. In addition, the way the new code is being constructed does not permit any exceptions. According to those with expertise in the law, this may provide prosecutors the chance to violate the legality of this statute and its provisions.

Before you Do Anything, Consult a Frisco, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer

Don’t make matters worse.  Make the call to the experience Collin | Denton County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Ridgely Davis to get a better understanding of what you are facing and how they can help.  A conviction for “Voyeurism” will result in a damaging entry on your criminal record if you are found guilty of the offense. If you have the experience of Ridgely Davis Law, Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers, on your side, they will work diligently to help you avoid such a disastrous outcome.

CONSULT AN EXPERIENCED Frisco, Texas Voyeurism Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you care about has been charged with Voyeurism 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 Voyeurism Criminal Defense Lawyers at Ridgely Davis Law 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.