Denton Sex Crime Lawyer

Denton Sex Crime Attorney

Just the accusation of being a sex offender can completely and totally destroy your life. You must take steps immediately to defend yourself when the allegation involves a sex offense because society often presumes people guilty of sex crimes before they even set foot in a courthouse. Speaking to a qualified Denton sex crime lawyer is the first step in preparing for an effective defense.  Any type of conviction for most sex offenses carries “hard time” jail sentences and even probated sentences carry the enormous burden of having to register as a sex offender.

At the Law Office of Earl Dobson in Denton, Texas, you will receive aggressive representation from an experienced Denton Sex Crime Lawyer who has handled all types of sex offenses. Earl Dobson served as the Vice/Obscenity Prosecutor for Denton County and was the trial prosecutor in Carmell v. Texas which was heard on appeal by the U.S. Supreme Court. We know how prosecutors build their cases on sex offenses and where the potential mistakes and weaknesses are.

Common Types of Sex Crime Cases We Handle

Broadly speaking, a sex crime is any unlawful offense that involves sexual activity or misconduct, including acts committed in public or involving minors. There is a range of misdemeanor and felony sex crimes a person may be charged with, all of which are taken very seriously by state and federal law. Some offenses are more common than others, but our law firm is prepared to defend you against your charge, including:

• Sexual assault or rape: This includes aggravated sexual assault, crimes involving the intentional or knowing penetration of another person without their consent.
• Public lewdness: Knowingly or recklessly engaging in sexual intercourse or contact in a public place, regardless of whether the sexual acts are between two consenting parties.
• Indecent exposure: Knowingly and recklessly exposing oneself with the intent to gratify or arouse the sexual desire of a party.
• Obscenity and obscene display or distribution: Knowingly, intentionally, or intending to participate in the reckless distribution, possession, promotion, or display of obscene material to another party who would be alarmed or offended.
• Unlawful promotion or distribution of intimate personal materials: Including a person’s nude pictures or videos.
• Sex crimes that involve children or minors: Including statutory rape or indecent conduct, child sexual abuse, improper student-teacher relationships, distribution or possession of pornographic depictions involving a child, and the online solicitation of a minor.
• Prostitution: Knowingly engaging in or offering to engage in a sex act in exchange for a fee, whether the party charged was willing to or did pay or receive said fee. A related crime is the promotion of prostitution by facilitating this unlawful conduct.
• Prohibited sexual conduct: Acts of incest with a whole-blood, half-blood, or adoptive relative

Potential Penalties for a Sex Violation in Denton, TX

The legal penalties you may face if convicted of a sex crime in Texas can vary depending on numerous factors, such as whether you have a prior criminal history of similar offenses, the type of sex crime you were convicted for, and the severity of the offense. Misdemeanor offenses are technically less severe than felony violations, but the punishment and repercussions are likely to be very serious.

With the help of an experienced Denton Sex Crime attorney, you may be able to avoid the maximum penalties applicable to your conviction. For a misdemeanor sex crime in Texas, a conviction is typically punishable by a hefty fine, a period of time spent in jail, or both. There are various levels of misdemeanors, with the more serious classifications entailing larger fines and more jail time.

For the four potential levels of felony sex offenses in Texas, the penalties also include a costly fine in addition to a minimum amount of time in incarceration. The length of the potential prison sentence depends on the specifics of the offense and other factors of your case.

Additionally, many sex crimes in Denton, TX require the offender to enter into the state’s sex offender registry after a guilty conviction. For sex crimes that don’t result in an automatic registration, the offender may eventually be made to register after multiple convictions for the same offense. Other sexual offenses, such as a violent sex crime or child molestation, result in automatic registration even for attempting the crime.

FAQs About Denton, TX Sex Crime Laws

Q: What Is Considered a Sex Crime in Texas?

A: In Texas, a sex crime is a general term to describe any illegal offense involving sexual activity or misconduct. There are various types of sex crimes one may be charged with, some more severe than others.

Texas criminal law recognizes both misdemeanor and felony sex offenses, with multiple classification levels depending on how serious the offense is designated to be. Some examples of sex crimes include prostitution, sex trafficking, indecent exposure, public lewdness, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse.

Q: Is It Possible to Avoid a Sex Crime Conviction?

A: Yes, it’s possible to avoid being convicted of a sex crime. The strongest way to defend yourself against a sex crime charge is by working with an experienced, qualified criminal defense lawyer. Your lawyer can evaluate the details of your case and help you develop an effective defense that can lessen the charges or penalties against you or even get the case dropped completely.

Q: Are Rape and Sexual Assault Different Charges in TX?

A: In the state of Texas, there is no difference between the charges of rape and sexual assault. The state’s criminal laws identify the two acts of sexual misconduct as indistinguishable from one another and treat them the same. Sexual assault, or rape, may include sexual exploitation or intercourse through coercion, penetrative acts involving violence or force, and sex acts involving a minor or unconsenting party.

Q: Why Should You Fight a Sexual Offense?

A: There are numerous reasons why you should make an effort to fight the sexual charges against you and not simply accept the criminal accusations. Besides the hefty fines and incarceration time you may face upon a conviction, you may also be required to enter into the state’s sex offender registry. Being on the sex offender registry carries various negative repercussions that can impact your life for the foreseeable future, like affecting your career or living arrangements.

Q: Do I Need a Defense Lawyer for a Sex Crime?

A: While you are not required by law to hire a criminal defense lawyer for sex crime charges, it is highly recommended. The reason why it’s considered wise to work with an experienced defense attorney is because hiring qualified legal counsel is the most likely way to secure a positive outcome for yourself. Your lawyer can protect your rights, advocate for your defense, lessen the penalties against you, and potentially get your case dropped altogether.

Strong Criminal Defense for You in Denton, TX

At The Law Office of Earl Dobson, our team can schedule a consultation with an educated and skilled criminal defense lawyer for you. During this meeting, we can discuss the type and level of accusations you are facing, potential defenses and weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you, whether a trial or plea bargain would be the proper strategy, and what the possible outcomes would be.

For a free consultation with Earl Dobson to discuss your options and have your case evaluation, fill out the contact form to the left or call the phone number at the top of the page.