Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can take place anywhere. It could take place at work, in your familiar surroundings or at public places. Talking about sexual abuse can be painful and embarrassing. It can happen to anyone; however women and children are victimized more often. The impact of sexual abuse can be life-long and have serious long-term emotional effects on the abused. Along with a victim, their families get affected as well.

Because of the immense capacity for harm sexual abuse represents, most people assume that if you are charged with sexual abuse, you are guilty. This is far from the truth, but you must act immediately to fight any type of sexual assault charge in Houston. If you face charges related to sexual abuse, you need to contact The Huff Law Firm immediately.

Your Rights

It is very important you know your rights as an accused individual of sexual assault and what constitutes sexual abuse. As an accused individual, you have the right to a fair and unbiased trial. Individuals who work closely with children or interact regularly with teenagers can easily lose their jobs for merely being accused of sexual abuse. Considered a very serious sex crime, a conviction can be devastating to every aspect of your life.

If you have been accused of committing a sexual offense in Houston, it is important to immediately contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Sex crime charges can result in harsh punishments if the alleged offender is convicted of the offense. Punishment can include prison sentences, fines, a criminal record, sex offender registration requirements, an inability to pursue certain professions and occupations, ineligibility to be admitted into certain graduate school programs and colleges, and a negative impact on personal and business relationships.

Even if your alleged offense was accidentally or unintentionally committed, or you were unaware you were doing anything illegal, it is essential to create your best defense in order to avoid the most serious penalties and lasting consequences to your sex crime accusations.

Houston Sexual Offenses Lawyer

If you have been charged with a sex crime in Houston, or any of the surrounding areas in Texas, contact The Huff Law firm.

Attorney Korey Huff will fight the allegations against you and make every effort to achieve the most desirable outcome for your particular situation. Call The Huff Law firm for a free consultation at (713) 562-8700 about alleged sex offense.

Sexual Assault Offenses in Houston

Sexual assault allegations are very serious, and can lead to life prison sentence if the alleged offender is convicted of the offense. Sexual assault offenses are commonly known as rape or statutory rape.

An individual can be charged with sexual assault under section 22.011 of the Texas Penal Code if they intentionally or knowingly penetrate, or cause to be penetrated, the mouth, sexual organs or anus without that person’s consent, by any means.

A conviction for this offense can generally result in a felony of the second, which is punishable by two to 20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000. The offense can be increased to a felony of the first degree if the alleged offender was prohibited from marrying the individual they committed the assault against, which is punishable by a fine not more than $10,000 and/or five to 99 years or life imprisonment.

An individual can be charged with aggravated sexual assault, according to Tex. Penal Code § 22.021, if they commit the offense of sexual assault and:

• Cause serious bodily injury or attempt to cause the death of the victim;
• Cause the victim to be fearful their life is in danger, they will receive serious bodily injury or will be kidnapped;
• Use a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense;
• Threaten to cause death, serious bodily injury or kidnapping;
• Use roofies, rohypnol, the Date Rape drug, ketamine, or GHB GHB or during the commission of the offense;
• The victim is 14 years old or younger; or
• The victim is elderly or disabled.

This offense is punishable as a felony of the first degree, which is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and/or five to 99 years in prison or life imprisonment.

Houston Solicitation and Prostitution Crimes

If you have been accused of soliciting sex, hiring a prostitute, acting as a pimp or engaging in prostitution, you can be charged with prostitution under Tex. Penal Code § 43.02. An individual can be charged with this offense if they:

• Knowingly engage in sexual conduct for a fee,
• Offer to engage in sexual conduct for a fee,
• Agree to engage in sexual conduct for a fee, or
• Solicit another person in a public place to engage in sexual conduct for hire.

A first offense is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine not more than $2,000.

This offense is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor if the alleged offender has previously been convicted one or two times. A Class A misdemeanor prostitution offense is punishable by up to one year jail and/or a fine up to $4,000

A fourth or subsequent prostitution offense is punishable as a state jail felony, which can result in a jail sentence from 180 days to two years and/or a fine up to $10,000.

Public Nudity Offenses in Houston

Many times, public nudity offenses throughout Texas are innocent pranks or seemingly harmless acts; however, these offenses can also lead to serious repercussions and possible requirements to register as a sex offender.

An individual can be charged with indecent exposure (Tex. Penal Code § 21.08) if they expose any part of their genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, in a reckless manner, or without regard if any other person who is present might be offended by the act. This offense is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,000.

An individual can be charged with public lewdness, as defined in Tex. Penal Code § 21.07, if they knowingly and while in a public place:

• Engage in sexual intercourse,
• Engage in deviate sexual intercourse,
• Engage in an act of sexual conduct, or
• Engage in a sexual act with an animal.

An individual can also be charged with public lewdness if they recklessly engage in any of the preceding acts in a private place without regard for who is present and might be alarmed or offended by the act. This offense is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor, which can result in up to one year jail and/or a fine up to $4,000.

Houston Child Sex Offenses

According to Tex. Penal Code § 21.11, an individual can be charged with indecency with a child if they engage in sexual contact with a child, expose their genitals with a child present, or expose a child’s genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.

This offense is punishable as a felony of the second degree, which can result in two to 20 years in prison and/or a fine not more than $10,000, if the alleged offender engaged in sexual contact with a child. Otherwise, this offense is punishable as a felony of the third degree, which can result in two to ten years in prison and/or a fine not more than $10,000.

As defined in Tex. Penal Code § 43.26, an individual can be charged with possession of child porn or child pornography if they knowingly or intentionally possess material that visually depicts a child under the age of 18 engaging in sexual conduct, and the alleged offender knows the material depicts a child that is under the age of 18.

This offense is generally punishable as a felony of the third degree, which can result in a prison sentence from two to ten years and/or a fine up to $10,000. However, this offense is punishable as a felony of the second degree if the alleged offender promoted the child pornography, which can result in a prison sentence ranging from two to 20 and/or a fine not more than $10,000.

Sex Offender Registration in Texas

According to Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, anyone who is convicted of a sexual offense in Texas is required to register with their local law enforcement authority for a specific period of time, depending on the severity of the sexual offense they were convicted of.

A convicted sex offender is required to register for life if they were convicted of any of the following sexually violence offenses:

• Aggravated kidnapping,
• Aggravated sexual assault,
• Compelling prostitution of a minor,
• Incest,
• Indecency with a child by contact,
• Indecency with a child by exposure,
• Possession or promotion of child pornography,
• Sexual assault, and
• Sexual performance by a child.

A convicted sex offender must register for ten years if they are convicted of any of the following:

• Any sex offense not requiring lifetime registration,
• Attempted sexual assault,
• Compelling prostitution,
• Second indecent exposure conviction, and
• Unlawful restraint.