Sex Offenses

Are you facing charges for a sex crime in Denton County or Collin County and wondering what to do next? Dealing with the legal system can be overwhelming, and the stakes are incredibly high. With serious consequences like prison time, fines, and long-term restrictions on your freedom and opportunities, strong legal representation is essential.

At the Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, we take a proactive approach to defending your case. We diligently dissect the prosecution’s evidence and leverage our comprehensive knowledge of Texas law to advocate on your behalf. Take the first step in defending your freedom today. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your defense options.

Types of Sex Offenses Handled by the Law Office Al Rowland

The Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, handles a wide range of sexual offense cases, providing strong defense strategies tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. Below, we outline several types of sex offenses our firm can defend against:

Sexual Assault: Sexual assault involves intentionally or knowingly penetrating another person’s sexual organ, anus, or mouth without their consent.
Indecency with a Child: This crime occurs when someone engages in sexual contact with a child younger than 17 or exposes their genitals, knowing a child is present, to gratify sexual desires.
Public Lewdness: This charge can arise when someone knowingly engages in sexual intercourse or contact in public or in a non-public place without regard for others who might be present.
Aggravated Sexual Assault: This more severe form of sexual assault involves additional factors such as serious bodily injury, use of a deadly weapon, or an alleged victim under 14.
Prostitution and Solicitation: Prostitution and solicitation offenses involve offering, agreeing to engage in, or engaging in sexual activity for a fee.
Possession or Promotion of Child Sex Abuse Material: This offense involves knowingly possessing or promoting visual materials that depict a child under 18 engaged in sexual conduct.
Indecent Exposure: This crime occurs when someone exposes their genitals to arouse or gratify sexual desire, with reckless disregard for others present who might be offended or alarmed.
Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material: Often referred to as “revenge porn,” this occurs when someone shares or publishes intimate visual material of another without their consent and with the intent to cause harm.

Texas Sex Offender Registration Laws

If you are convicted or adjudicated of certain sex offenses, Texas law requires you to register as a sex offender under the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program. This means you must provide substantial personal information to your local law enforcement. This includes your full name, address, a recent color photograph, and specific details about the conviction or adjudication.

Once you are on the registry, you must regularly confirm that your information is accurate and up-to-date with local law enforcement. This includes reporting any changes in your residency, employment, or educational status within a set timeframe as stipulated by law. Failing to adhere to these requirements can result in felony charges.

The state of Texas also makes information about registered sex offenders available to the public through a statewide database maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS). The public can access most of this registration information online, and local law enforcement can also notify the community directly if offenders relocate to new areas.

Sex offender registration can have significant, long-term impacts on where you can live or work and how you interact with your community. If you’re facing sex crime charges in Texas, you need a knowledgeable defense attorney. They can challenge the charges against you and potentially reduce or eliminate certain consequences, including the requirement to register as a sex offender.

Other Consequences of Sex Crime Convictions in Texas

The potential consequences of a sex offense conviction go beyond mandatory registration as a sex offender. These penalties can profoundly affect your personal freedom, professional opportunities, financial stability, and social interactions. Common examples of these consequences include:

Incarceration: Depending on the severity of the offense, you could face extensive prison terms. For example, aggravated sexual assault carries a potential life sentence.
Fines: Convictions often come with heavy fines in addition to any prison terms, potentially amounting to hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Probation: If you get probation, you will need to meet strict conditions such as making regular check-ins with a probation officer, attending counseling sessions, and adhering to curfews.
Loss of Professional Licenses: A conviction can lead to the loss of professional licenses, effectively barring you from careers that involve teaching, healthcare, and law.
Restrictions on Residency and Employment: Even if you don’t have to register as a sex offender, you could face restrictions on where you can live and work following a sex offense conviction.

Why You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer If You’re Facing Sex Crime Charges in Texas

A conviction comes with far-reaching consequences that can alter your life drastically. Beyond the immediate penalties like jail time and fines, the long-term effects include loss of employment opportunities, restrictions on where you can live, and enduring damage to your reputation.

Even worse, the odds are typically stacked against you due to the serious and sensitive nature of these accusations. Public perception often leans towards the alleged victims, creating a bias that can influence legal proceedings from the outset. The legal system also vigorously prosecutes these offenses, and the potential penalties are harsh. This environment can lead to quick judgments and a rush to resolve cases, sometimes at the expense of thoroughness and fairness. Additionally, the evidence in sex crime cases is often highly subjective, relying heavily on personal testimonies and interpretations.

In light of all these factors, strong legal representation is essential if you’re facing sex crime charges in Texas. A skilled defense attorney can use their legal knowledge and experience to level the playing field. They know the ins and outs of the legal system and can effectively challenge the prosecution’s evidence, negotiate better plea deals, or advocate for reduced penalties. More importantly, a defense lawyer will fight to protect your future and prevent the lifelong burdens that a sex crime conviction can impose.

Defense Strategies for Sex Offense Cases

Your attorney will carefully examine the facts, evidence, and circumstances surrounding the charges against you to build the most effective defense, which might include strategies like:

Consent: Showing that an alleged victim gave consent to the sexual activity can serve as a valid defense against charges like sexual assault or indecency.
False Accusation: Your lawyer could uncover inconsistencies in an accuser’s story, find evidence of ulterior motives, and use these findings to challenge the credibility of their allegations.
Lack of Intent: In some cases, the defense might argue that you had no intent to cause harm or engage in illegal conduct, which could reduce or dismiss the charges against you.
Mistaken Identity: If the prosecution’s case relies on identification, your attorney could demonstrate that you were not involved in the crime, possibly through alibi or DNA evidence.
Insufficient Evidence: If the prosecution’s evidence is weak, circumstantial, or fails to directly link you to the crime, the defense could argue that the state has not met its burden of proof.
Violation of Rights: If law enforcement violated your rights during the investigation, your lawyer could seek to suppress any evidence obtained as a result of those violations.

Contact a Texas Sex Crimes Defense Attorney Now

Facing sex crime charges can be a daunting experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, offers comprehensive legal support tailored to your unique situation. Contact us now for a free consultation so we can start formulating a strong defense strategy for you.