Have you been accused of a sex crime in McKinney, Texas? A conviction can trigger years in prison, a lifetime on the sex offender registry, and consequences that follow you long after any sentence ends. A McKinney sex crimes lawyer at Chiles McGuire Criminal Law can start building your defense immediately. Call (214) 432-6540 for a free consultation.
We have over a decade of experience handling sex crime charges in Texas. We can help you get a fair result in your case.
Why Select Chiles McGuire Criminal Law To Handle My McKinney Sex Crimes Case?
Sex crime charges are among the most serious in Texas criminal law. They affect everything from your freedom to your personal and professional reputation. You should fight back with all you have to ensure you receive a fair outcome and are not pushed around by prosecutors merely because you were accused. Chiles McGuire Criminal Law can help.
Clients throughout McKinney, TX, choose the firm because:
- Our McKinney criminal defense attorneys boast over 11 years of experience defending clients against serious felony charges
- We have a successful track record negotiating favorable plea deals and securing acquittals and dismissals in court.
- We bring appellate experience to every case.
- We prepare a full written case analysis for every client.
- We conduct our own independent investigation.
- Attorney Patrick McGuire received specialized forensic training through the ATF.
- We’re recognized by the National Trial Lawyers and other top rating services.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation with a McKinney criminal defense attorney.
What Does Texas Classify as Sex Crimes?
Texas law covers a broad range of offenses under its sex crime statutes, generally involving allegations of nonconsensual sexual contact, sexual conduct involving a minor, or the exploitation of another person for a sexual purpose. These offenses span everything from misdemeanor-level conduct to some of the most severely punished felonies in the entire Texas Penal Code.
The charge you’re facing depends heavily on the alleged conduct, the age of the alleged victim, and the surrounding circumstances. Common sex crime charges in McKinney include:
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Sexual assault of a child
- Indecency with a child, by contact or exposure
- Continuous sexual abuse of a young child
- Possession or promotion of child pornography
- Online solicitation of a minor
- Indecent exposure
- Public lewdness
- Improper relationship between an educator and a student
Some of these charges carry a strict liability standard, meaning the state doesn’t need to prove you knew the alleged victim’s true age in certain circumstances.
What Are the Penalties for a Sex Crime Conviction in Texas?
Sex crime penalties in Texas vary dramatically depending on the specific offense charged. Some common penalties include the following:
- Indecent exposure is typically a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
- Public lewdness is generally a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
- Indecency with a child by exposure is a third-degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Sexual assault and indecency with a child by contact are typically second-degree felonies, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony, punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Continuous sexual abuse of a young child is a first-degree felony with a heightened sentencing range of 25 to 99 years or life in prison; probation isn’t available for this charge.
Certain aggravating factors, such as the use of a weapon, serious bodily injury, or the age of the alleged victim, can elevate a charge to a more serious offense or sentencing range. Prior convictions for other felonies can also add length to a sentence.
Sex Offender Registration Requirements in Texas
A conviction for many sex crimes in Texas triggers a legal requirement to register as a sex offender under the state’s sex offender registration program. This requirement can apply for a set number of years or for life, depending on the specific offense.
Registration typically requires:
- Reporting your address to local law enforcement and keeping it updated
- Periodic in-person verification with law enforcement
- Providing photographs and other identifying information
- Public listing on the state’s sex offender registry, which is searchable online
- Restrictions on living near schools, parks, or daycare facilities in some cases
- Notification requirements if you move, change jobs, or travel
Some lower-level offenses may qualify for a shorter registration period or early termination of the requirement. Other convictions carry lifetime registration with no possibility of removal.
Registration requirements often affect where you can live, work, and even spend time for years after your sentence is complete. That’s why it’s important to fight the underlying charge as aggressively as possible.
Other Collateral Consequences of Sex Crime Convictions
In addition to prison time and registration, a sex crime conviction can affect nearly every part of your life, including:
- Loss of custody or restricted visitation rights with your own children
- Difficulty finding housing, since many landlords and housing programs restrict applicants with sex offense convictions
- Employment challenges, particularly in fields involving children, vulnerable adults, or professional licensing
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens, including possible removal proceedings
- Social and reputational harm within your community
- Restrictions on internet or computer use as a condition of probation or parole in certain cases
These consequences can extend for years beyond the conviction and make it difficult to return to normal life even after you complete your sentence.
What Defenses Are Available in Sex Crimes Cases in McKinney?
The defense strategy in a sex crimes case depends on the allegations, the available evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the accusation. Because every case is different, there is no single defense that applies in every situation. However, several legal defenses may be available depending on the facts.
Common defenses include:
- False accusation: Allegations may arise from custody disputes, personal conflicts, misunderstandings, or other situations that create a motive to fabricate or exaggerate a claim.
- Mistaken identity: Cases involving strangers or brief encounters may involve unreliable eyewitness identification or mistaken identification of the accused.
- Insufficient evidence: The prosecution must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. When the evidence does not meet that standard, the charges may not be sustained.
- Consent, where legally applicable: In certain cases involving adults, evidence that the conduct was consensual may serve as a defense to the charges.
- Close-in-age exception: Texas law recognizes a limited defense in certain cases involving individuals who are close in age, provided the statutory requirements are met.
- Constitutional violations: Evidence obtained through an unlawful search, seizure, or other constitutional violation may be challenged and excluded from the case.
- Challenges to forensic evidence: DNA testing, digital evidence, and other forensic evidence may be challenged when questions exist about their accuracy, reliability, or handling.
- Alibi: Evidence showing that the accused was somewhere else when the alleged offense occurred may contradict the prosecution’s allegations.
A thorough review of the evidence is often necessary to determine which defenses may apply.
How an Experienced Attorney Can Defend Sex Crime Charges
Defending a sex crimes case requires an independent review of every piece of evidence the state intends to use against you. An experienced attorney can lead the investigation and look for evidence that weakens the prosecution’s case.
Your attorney can:
- Scrutinize the initial investigation for procedural errors, coercive interview tactics, or violations of your constitutional rights
- Independently interview witnesses rather than relying solely on statements gathered by law enforcement
- Consult with forensic and medical experts to challenge DNA evidence, digital forensics, or physical examination findings that the state relies on
- Investigate the alleged victim’s account for inconsistencies, outside influences, or motives to fabricate or exaggerate a claim
- Examine digital evidence, including phone records, messages, and metadata, for context that the state may have overlooked or misrepresented
- Identify whether any statutory defenses, such as a close-in-age exception, may apply to the specific facts of your case
Reach out to our McKinney criminal defense lawyers today to learn what else we can do to assist you.
Contact a McKinney Sex Crimes Lawyer for Assistance
A sex crime accusation in McKinney, Texas, can feel like your fate has already been decided before your case even reaches trial. It hasn’t. You have the right to a defense, and the state still carries the full burden of proving its case against you.
Chiles McGuire Criminal Law is ready to build the strongest possible defense on your behalf. We have over a decade of experience fighting criminal charges. Let us help you protect your rights. Contact us today for a confidential, free consultation to discuss your legal options with a McKinney sex crimes attorney.
