Texas State Penal Code outlines a number of sex offenses involving minors, defined as a defendant aged 17 or older, and a child 14 or younger, including:
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Indecency with a minor
- Sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault
- Sex trafficking or compelling prostitution
- Sale, distribution or display of harmful material to a minor
- Sexual performance by a minor
- Possession of child pornography
- Employment harmful to minors
- Possession of child pornography
- Improper teacher/student relationship
Sex Crimes Against Adults
Houston sex crimes involving defendants and victims who are over the age of 18 include:
- Sexual assault/rape
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Prohibited sexual conduct
- Prostitution
- Solicitation
- Voyeurism
- Invasive video recording
- Unlawful dissemination of intimate visual content
- Obscenity
The penalties for these crimes are often severe, and can result in lengthy prison sentences, and mandated lifetime registration as a convicted sex offender. However, it’s important to remember the state can charge you with whatever it wants. What matters is whether you are convicted in a court of law.
Federal sex crime charges can be particularly daunting due to the involvement of multiple agencies and the complexity of federal law. Early consultation with an experienced sexual assault lawyer in Houston is a critical first step to protecting your rights and your reputation.
Statute of Limitations
The emphasis on identifying and punishing sex offenders continues to result in an increasing number of charges being filed for alleged crimes that occurred years, or even decades ago. Criminal statutes of limitations are meant to ensure a defendant’s fair trial rights are upheld by the right to confront accusers and gather evidence in a timely manner. However, lawmakers continue to expand the statute of limitations, and in many of the
most serious cases there is no limit to how much time can pass before a defendant is charged with a sex crime.
- The statute of limitations for criminal charges in cases of sex crimes against adults is 10 years. However, there is no statute of limitations for charges of rape and aggravated rape in cases where no suspect has been identified, or for cases involving an alleged serial rapist.
- In cases where a victim is under the age of 17, the statute of limitations is 20 years after the victim’s 18th birthday. This includes charges involving sexual performance of a child, aggravated kidnapping with the intent to commit a sex crime, and burglary with the intent to commit a sex crime.
- There is no statute of limitations for charges involving sexual assault of a child or indecency with a child.
The passage of time often makes these cases more difficult to prove, but also more difficult to defend. In many cases, the primary evidence is DNA, which is a powerful tool of prosecutors in the courtroom, even as the availability of witnesses and other evidence may have degraded with the passage of time. Early consultation with an experienced sexual assault attorney in Houston is the best bet to protect your freedom, your rights and your reputation.
Alex Macias is an experienced Houston sexual assault lawyer who represents clients in state and federal court in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Pearland, Knogwood, Katy, League City, Stafford, Friendswood, Richmond, Cypress, Clear Lake, Humble and Fulshear.
The Law Offices of Alejandro Macias, PC offers free and confidential consultations.
Contact us today or call 281-742-9508. ¡Se Habla Español!
