Texas Sex Assault Lawyer

The criminal justice system comes down particularly hard on sex crimes, especially in Texas. Lawmakers, judges and prosecutors are pressured by society to be ruthless, unforgiving and aggressive on sex offenders, especially child sex offenders. For this reason, persons accused of a sex crime in Texas typically face harsh punishments that don’t always fit the crime, such as many years in prison or a lifetime sex offender registration.

Being convicted of a sex offense in Texas can change the projection of your entire life as you deal with potential time in prison, steep fines, registering as a sex offender, undue stress, not to mention the loss of your job, freedom and reputation. The stakes could not be higher, which is why it is imperative you have the best local sex assault defense lawyer fighting for you during this difficult time.

Soyars & Morgan fights for your future and your reputation.

It is essential to your reputation and your freedom that you hire an aggressive lawyer against sex assault charges immediately. At Soyars & Morgan Law, P.C., you will find an accomplished Texas sex assault lawyer. Contact Jodi for a free and confidential consultation about your sex crime charges.

How can a sex assault lawyer help?

A sexual assault lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case to determine what defenses are available to you. The goal is always a reduction or dismissal of your charges. Even in cases where a defense doesn’t exist, a sex crime defense lawyer can often negotiate a favorable plea bargain agreement, potentially allowing you to avoid the most serious consequences you are facing.

Texas sex assault lawyer, Jodi Soyars, is here to provide you with a strong defense against all types of sex crimes, including:

• Sexual assault / rape
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Aggravated sexual assault with a child
• Possession or distribution of child pornography
• Date rape or statutory rape
• Indecency with a child
• Internet sex crimes
• Internet solicitation of a minor

We Will Strategically Defend Against Your Sex Crime Charge

False allegations of sex assault can and do ruin careers, relationships, and lives. Whether you have been unfairly charged with a Sex Offense against a child or an adult, a strong defense from an experienced lawyer is your best chance of clearing your name.

Texas sex assault lawyer, Jodi Soyars, will discuss the details of your case and consider the best defense to protect your freedom, reputation, and future. She is not afraid to challenge the prosecution’s case and aggressively defend you against the charges.

Contact Jodi today to schedule your free and confidential strategy session!

Multiple workable defenses are usually available if you have been wrongfully accused. These may include:

• Your search and seizure rights were violated when evidence was gathered by law enforcement – rendering certain evidence inadmissible in court
• Entrapment was used against you and you were persuaded to commit a crime by an investigator
• Unreliable witness testimony – sometimes, there are ulterior motives for making an allegation of sexual assault against an individual, such as trying to gain child custody
• Challenging the prosecution’s “proof” of subjective facts – many elements in sex crime cases may be open to interpretation and “evidence” can be called into question

Jodi Soyars will closely analyze the evidence against you, including witness testimony. She has a deep understanding of how sex crime cases are prosecuted in Texas and can use this experience in your favor. If any key evidence can be suppressed, the case may be dropped due to a lack of evidence from the prosecution.

If the case cannot be dropped, the strategies outlined above can be used to clear your name entirely through acquittal or at least help reduce penalties and the consequences you may face, such as prison time and fines.

Sex Assault FAQ’s

What is a Sex Offense?

According to the Texas Penal Code, the following acts are considered sex crimes in the state of Texas:

• Online solicitation of a minor
• Possession or distribution of child pornography
• Indecency with a child (by contact)
• Indecency with a child (by exposure)
• Public lewdness
• Indecent exposure
• Improper student-teacher relationship
• Invasive visual recording
• Voyeurism
• Unlawful disclosure and promotion of intimate visual material
• Prostitution
• Promotion of prostitution
• Obscenity
• Rape & sexual assault

Most sex offenses in Texas are considered felonies under state law. If convicted, the penalties of a first degree, second degree or state jail felony carry the potential for up to multiple years in prison, steep fines and sex offender registration. Sentencing for sex crimes vary from case to case, however, so you should consult a knowledgeable sex crime defense lawyer for specific laws that may apply to your charge.

Registering as a Sex Offender in Texas?

If you plea guilty or no contest to a sex offense in Texas, a person is typically required to register in the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program. Registering as a sex offender informs local law enforcement of the following information about the individual:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Race
• Home Address
• A recent color photograph
• A complete set of fingerprints
• Type of offense convicted of
• Age of victim
• Sentence
• Employment information
• Information on all online aliases used

In many adult sex offense cases, defendants are required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Juvenile sex offenders must register for up to 10 years after the date of convictions. Failing to register is a third degree felony offense.  If you are accused of failing to register as a sex offender, please call us. We are often in the best position to help defend you.

Texas Sex Assault Lawyer

What is a child Sex Offense in Texas?

Child sex offenses (includes continuous sex abuse of a child, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, statutory rape, sex trafficking, child prostitution, sexual performance by a child, sexting, etc.) are particular difficult to defend and take an experienced local attorney. If you are facing an allegation that you molested a child, you will need to understand that the public by and large takes such allegations as true without ever having heard the full story. Soyars & Morgan Law has handled very complicated cases involving false outcries, manipulated witnesses and fabricated evidence that was used to try and obtain an upper hand in child custody cases. So, if you are facing these type of serious accusations reach out to us and schedule a consultation immediately.

What is the legal age of consent in Texas?

The legal age for sexual consent in Texas is 17 years old. Texas does have an exception if the younger person (the alleged victim) is at least 14 years old and the age differential between the alleged victim and offender is 3 years or less apart. Texas’ age of consent laws are gender neutral, meaning they apply to both heterosexual and homosexual sexual conduct.

So can a 14-year-old date an 18-year-old in Texas? Yes, if they are not having sex or other types of sexual relations.  No state has any laws against dating a minor so it is allowed. However, if the 14-year-old is having sex or sexual relations with the 18-year-old, the 18-year-old has criminal exposure to what we often refer to as “statutory rape” because the 14-year-old does not have capacity under law to consent to the sexual act.  Statutory rape is a strict liability offense and the fact that the offender did not know the alleged victim was under age will not be a defense.

What is the Romeo and Juliet Law in Texas?

Many states have “Romeo and Juliet” laws in place to protect teens from sex crime charges and punishments if the case meets certain requirements. The details and applications of these laws vary by state. In Texas, Romeo and Juliet Law provides two main protections for cases involving consensual sexual relations:

1. The three-year age gap defense. As in the example provided above, those accused of a sex crime in Texas may be exempt from persecution so long as they are within three years of the alleged victim and the alleged victim was at least 14 years-old.
2. The sex offender registration exemption. Although a person who has consensual sex with a minor is not protected from being charged with statutory rape if they are more than three years older than the alleged victim, Romeo and Juliet law may allow them to be exempt from having to register as a sex offender if they meet certain requirements for engaging in consensual sexual relations with someone under the age of 17. These requirements are that there is no more than a four-year age difference and the alleged victim is at least 15 years-old.
3. The sex offender registration exemption. Although a person who has consensual sex with a minor is not protected from being charged with statutory rape if they are more than three years older than the alleged victim, Romeo and Juliet law may allow them to be exempt from having to register as a sex offender if they meet certain requirements for engaging in consensual sexual relations with someone under the age of 17. These requirements are that there is no more than a four-year age difference and the alleged victim is at least 15 years old.

To learn more about the requirements needed to apply Rome and Juliet Law to your sex crime case, you’ll have to speak with a knowledgeable defense lawyer who can review your individual circumstances.

How far does a registered sex offender have to live from a school in Texas?

While certain states specify how far a registered sex offender can live from a school or playground, there is no such standard in Texas about where a sex offender can or cannot live. For registered sex offenders who are being supervised by the court and out on parole or probation, limits on how close they can live to a school or other “child safety zones” are determined on a case-by-case basis. Registered sex offenders who do not have court supervision can live anywhere they want, but the state keeps track of where they are and may take certain precautions to inform nearby residents.

In Texas, child safety zones, such as schools and playgrounds, do not necessarily impact where a registered sex offender can live, but they do restrict offenders from joining any programs that are based in these zones. This rule only applies to offenders under court supervision.

Texas Sex Assault Lawyer

What is the statute of limitations in Texas for child Sex Offenses?

In Texas, certain felony sex crimes have no limitations whatsoever – including indecency with a child or other child sex offenses. Due to changes made by the Texas legislature in 2008, there is also no statute of limitations for sex assault of a child or continuous sexual abuse of child.

The statute of limitations is a law aimed at protecting persons accused of a crime from being charged and punished for the crime allegedly committed a long time ago. The statute of limitations in sex offense cases is especially important and can be a compelling defense strategy if properly understood. You should contact a knowledgeable attorney in your area if you have questions about using the statute of limitations defense in your case.

Contact a Sex Assault Lawyer for Help in Texas

If you are being investigated for, have been arrested for, or have been charged with any sex offense in Texas, you need an aggressive and knowledgeable lawyer on your side. Contact sex crime lawyer, Jodi Soyars, for immediate help. Call her office at (210) 390-0000 to set up a free and confidential consultation.