A conviction for sex crimes in Plano, TX carries harsh penalties that will, without question, haunt you for years to come. Even an unfounded accusation can ruin your reputation and leave people questioning whether you can be trusted.
From the start, you need an experienced, aggressive Plano sex crimes lawyer on your side. At the Edgett Law Firm, we’ve been fighting to help those accused of crimes in Plano since 2008.
Our lawyers are known for presenting aggressive, skillful defense strategies at trial. We’ve successfully helped countless clients beat their charges over the years.
If you’ve been charged, arrested, or are under investigation for committing a sex crime, it’s never too early to call. You can call our law offices anytime to speak with an experienced Plano sex crimes lawyer who can help.
How the Edgett Law Firm Can Help With Your Sex Crime Charges
At the Edgett Law Firm, our accomplished Plano criminal defense attorneys know what it takes to minimize the consequences of a sex crime charge. We use proven defense strategies that stand up in court. We also know how important it is to custom-tailor those strategies to the facts of your case.
When you hire our law firm, you can expect an aggressive defense attorney who will:
Stand by Your Side
This is one battle that you can’t fight on your own. You need a respected lawyer who knows the law and the legal system. When it seems like everyone is against you, our sex crime lawyers in Plano will do everything we can to clear your name. That means we will:
- Investigate to get the facts
- Make sure the prosecution respects your constitutional rights
- Challenge the state’s evidence against you
- Help you make the tough choices
It’s understandable if you’re feeling overwhelmed and scared for the future. We’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re ready to begin fighting, call for your free consultation to learn more.
Negotiate with State Prosecutors
Even if you’ve been charged, that charge is not set in stone. Much can be resolved through negotiating behind the scenes with the state attorneys before trial.
That does not mean you have to accept a guilty plea. We’ll use our own evidence and skills to persuade the prosecutor that it’ll be difficult to convict you at trial. The prosecutor might be willing to downgrade the charges–or even drop the case entirely.
If a plea bargain is on the table, we’ll negotiate to make sure it’s the best deal possible, given the facts.
Advocate on Your Behalf in Court
If accepting a plea bargain isn’t in your best interests, your case will likely be tried in court. Edgett Law Firm is known for its success in the courtroom. You can be confident that your defense will be aggressive, strong, and strategic.
If you were accused of committing a criminal sexual act, don’t wait to get help. We can start building our trial strategy from day one. Call us today to learn more about how an accomplished criminal defense lawyer can fight for you.
Overview of Texas Sex Crimes Laws
Most Texas sex crimes are defined in Section 21 and Section 22 of the Texas Penal Code. These laws criminalize a broad range of sexual and illicit activity. Here’s an explanation of some of the sex crimes often charged in Plano:
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is the legal term for rape in Texas. Section 22.011 of the Texas Penal Code defines sexual assault as knowingly or intentionally:
- Causing penetration of another person’s anus or sex organs without consent by any means
- Causing penetration of another person’s mouth by the actor’s sexual organs without consent
- Without consent, causing another person’s sexual organs to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person
The issue of consent commonly comes into play in rape cases. “Without consent” is defined in the Texas statute. If the actor uses physical force, violence, or coercion, the actions are taken without consent. Similarly, if the actor threatens violence and the victim believes it is reasonable that the person will follow through on the threat, consent is lacking.
Certain victims are deemed incapable of giving consent, including children younger than age 17, the mentally disabled, and anyone unconscious or physically unable to consent.
Sexual assault is usually a second-degree felony. The charges become much more serious if aggravating factors are present. Aggravating factors include:
- The victim suffered serious bodily injury
- The defendant used a deadly weapon in committing the sexual assault
- The defendant attempts to kill the victim or anyone else while committing the rape
- More than one person is involved in committing the crime
- The victim is younger than 14
Aggravated sexual assault can be graded as a first-degree felony. Minimum sentencing requirements can increase the minimum sentence to 25 years in Texas–if life in prison is not sought.
Sexual Abuse of Children
Under Section 21.11 of the Texas Penal Code, a person commits “indecency with a child” if, with someone under age 17, the person:
- Engages in sexual contact with the child or causes the child to engage in sexual contact
- Exposes the anus or any part of the genitals knowing the child is present and with intent to arouse or gratify any person’s sexual desires
- Causes the child to expose the child’s anus or genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify any person’s sexual desires
Indecency with a child can be graded as a second or third-degree felony.
Continuous sexual abuse of young children is a much more serious crime under Texas Penal Code Section 21.02. Defendants accused of committing at least two sex offenses involving children in any period of 30 days or more face first-degree felony charges. The alleged victim does not have to be the same child.
Indecent Exposure
Even exposing one’s genitals or anus is a criminal offense. To convict on indecent exposure charges, the prosecution must prove that the defendant intended to arouse or gratify someone’s sexual desires. The prosecution must also establish that the defendant was reckless as to whether someone else was present and might be offended or alarmed.
A first offense for indecent exposure under Section 21.08 of the Texas Penal Code is a misdemeanor.
We Handle All Types of Sex Crime Cases
At the Edgett Law Firm, our skilled criminal defense attorneys handle all types of sex crime cases. Examples of the charges we regularly fight include:
- Sexual assault and rape
- Date rape
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Indecency with a child
- Child pornography
- Continuous sexual abuse of young children
- Online solicitation of a minor
- Prostitution and solicitation
- Statutory rape
- Indecent exposure
- Public lewdness
- Internet sex crimes
- Failure to register as a sex offender
We know how important it is for you to get a fair trial. Our legal team is committed to making sure you have the strongest defense possible.
Conviction for a Sex Crime Carries Harsh Penalties
Any conviction for any sex crime will come with harsh consequences. Even if you don’t have to spend decades in state prison, your reputation will be damaged, your career prospects can be hindered, and you might even face sex offender registration requirements.
The potential prison sentence depends on the grading of the charge. Under Texas law, the following sentencing guidelines apply:
- Class A misdemeanor: one year in jail and up to $4,000 in fines
- Class B misdemeanor: 180 days in jail and up to $2,000 in fines
- Class C misdemeanor: $500 fine
- State jail felony: between 180 days and two years in prison
- Third-degree felony: between two and ten years in prison
- Second-degree felony: between two and 20 years in prison
- First-degree felony: between five years and 99 years, or life, in prison
A felony conviction will also result in up to $10,000 in fines and, in most cases, imposition of sex offender registration requirements.
We’ll Build a Strong Defense to Fight the Charges
The right defense for you will depend upon what happened in your case. That’s why we always take the time to listen to your story. It’s our job to make sure your side of the story is heard so you get a fair shot of beating the charges.
Potential defense strategies in sex crimes cases might include:
- Constitutional violations
- Mistaken identity
- Alibi defense
- False allegations
- Challenges to witness credibility
- Challenges to scientific, DNA, or other hard evidence
- Insufficient evidence to prove the charges
- Consent
Our attorneys have been fighting these types of charges for years. When helpful, we engage experts in psychology, forensics, medicine, and other disciplines to support your defense. To learn more about what we can do in your unique case, call our law offices today.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Respected Plano Sex Crimes Lawyer Today
At the Edgett Law Firm, criminal defense is all our attorneys do. A sex crime conviction can haunt you for life, so it’s important to get legal help quickly. If you’ve been accused of a sex crime, our number one priority is getting the best outcome possible, given the facts of your case.
If you’re ready to learn more, call our office today to discuss your case with an experienced Plano sex crimes lawyer. We represent clients facing criminal charges in Dallas, TX, Plano, TX, and across North Texas.
Common questions
Collin County in almost all cases, heard in the district courts in McKinney, as Plano is primarily within Collin County. A small northwestern portion of the city extends into Denton County, and jurisdiction follows where the conduct is alleged to have occurred.