If you are facing charges related to a sex crime in Fort Worth, TX, Cole Paschall Law can help. In Texas, individuals accused of sex crimes face serious penalties. People who are found guilty may be sent to prison for multiple years. Furthermore, they can also have the “sex offender” label applied to their names for the rest of their life. A conviction for a sex crime could destroy your future.
Choosing the right legal firm to represent you is crucial in these circumstances. Remember, you are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Our Fort Worth, Texas law firm is dedicated to assertively advocating on your behalf to establish your innocence. Rest assured, any conversations we have are confidential and safeguarded under attorney-client privilege. Reach out to our office to begin with a complimentary consultation today.
Why Hire Cole Paschall Law After a Sex Crime Charge in Fort Worth?
At Cole Paschall Law, our focus is on challenging the credibility of those who have accused you of a sex crime, aiming to prove that the allegations against you are unfounded. Our goal is to safeguard both your public persona and private life, preventing these charges from wreaking havoc on your future. There’s a beacon of hope when you choose our services.
Innocence must be presumed until guilt is proven, and our team is committed to securing a “not guilty” verdict for you. Our team of criminal defense lawyers in Fort Worth has a history of assisting numerous clients in similar situations, with a track record that speaks to our ability to achieve favorable outcomes. This includes successes in cases involving rape and sexual assault.
It’s crucial to remember certain guidelines immediately after being charged with a sex crime. Your actions and words post-charge can significantly influence the outcome of your case:
- Avoid speaking to the police or legal investigators without your defense attorney present.
- Refrain from attempting to contact your accuser. Even if innocent, any misstep in communication can be used against you. All interactions should be managed by your attorney.
- Do not communicate with reporters or media personnel, or anyone seeking your comments on the allegations.
Leave all legal matters to us. Recognized throughout Fort Worth for our expertise and respect in the field, we excel in uncovering facts and negotiating in legal proceedings. Choosing Cole Paschall Law means you benefit from our extensive legal experience and the comprehensive resources of our firm. We are well-versed in the law and adept at navigating the legal and court systems.
Upon engaging our services, we immediately start scrutinizing the prosecution’s case against you. We gather critical evidence, including witness statements, police reports, and the prosecution’s evidence, and undertake depositions of police officers and other relevant parties. We also manage all interactions with law enforcement and the prosecution. With a thorough understanding of your case, we begin crafting your defense strategy, considering various factors such as:
- Any previous criminal history related to sex crimes.
- The amount of evidence against you.
- The accuser’s credibility.
- The severity of the charges (first, second, or third-degree).
Our Fort Worth lawyers will exert every effort to challenge the accuser’s claims. In cases where the evidence is irrefutable and a charge is inevitable, we strive to negotiate a plea to a lesser charge, potentially sparing you from public scrutiny and the need to register on the Texas Sex Offender Registry.
If you or someone you know is facing sex crime allegations, reach out to our Fort Worth office for a free consultation. We will discuss the allegations with you and assure you of our commitment to defending your innocence and future.
Sex Crime Attorney
Being charged with any crime is stressful. Being arrested for a sex crime is not just stressful, though – you are likely to be stigmatized by society before you are even tried by a jury of your peers. If you are convicted of certain sex crimes, it will affect you for the rest of your life. In addition to the standard penalties of jail or prison time, fines, and conditions of probation, convicted sex offenders must often register with local law enforcement for life.
By working with a Fort Worth Sex Crime Attorney, you may be able to improve the outcome of your case. Instead of letting your reputation be dragged through the mud, you can work with a reputable lawyer who will give you the top probability of an improved outcome. Here at Cole Paschall Law, we will fight for your future. Our firm has years of experience representing those accused of sex crimes.
What Are Sex Crimes?
There is no countrywide definition of sex crimes. Rather, each state has unique laws regarding sex crimes. In Texas, all of the following are examples of sex crimes or offenses commonly associated with sex crimes:
1. Continuous Sexual Abuse
Defined as two or more acts of sexual abuse of a child under 14 in a period of 30 or more days. The punishment range is 25 years to Life with no parole and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
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2. Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Defined as oral contact of the genitals of a child under 14 and vice versa, Sex organ to sex organ contact of a child under 14, sex organ-to-anus contact of a child under 14, and any penetration of the sex organs or anus of a child under 14 The punishment range is 5-99 years or life with up to a $10,000 fine as well as lifetime registration as a sex offender.
3. Sexual Assault of Child
Generally the same as above except for an age range of 14-17. Punishment is 2-20 years and up to a $10,000 fine. It also has the lifetime registration of a sex offender.
4. Aggravated Kidnapping
This crime occurs when an individual knowingly or intentionally abducts another individual for a variety of reasons. For instance, they might abduct someone with the intention of committing sexual abuse. Typically, these charges are met with serious penalties.
Generally, this crime is a first-degree felony. However, there are exceptions. If the defendant voluntarily released their victim and did so in a safe place, the charge can be reduced to a second-degree felony.
5. Public Lewdness
Although this is one of the lesser offenses, public lewdness still has consequences. It’s a Class A misdemeanor and can result in as much as a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
This crime occurs when an individual performs intercourse, deviates from sexual intercourse, or sexual conduct in public. If the activity occurs in private but in front of an individual who is offended, the act is also considered to be a crime.
6. Indecent Exposure
A Class B misdemeanor, indecent exposure happens when someone exposes their genitals to another in an effort to arouse or satisfy a sexual desire. For it to be a crime, there also must be an element of recklessness. More specifically, another individual needs to be offended.
7. Indecency With a Child
One of the more serious sex crimes is indecency with a child. For the charges to be filed, an individual must commit the offense with a child under 17 and who is not their spouse. The crime can involve engaging in sexual contact, making the child engage in the contact, performing indecent exposure, or exposing the child for sexual purposes.
8. Improper Teacher/Student Relationship
Students and parents of students have a degree of trust with their teachers. But sometimes, an educator violates that trust. If a teacher engages in sexual contact with the student, they are guilty of this crime. The same is true of an educator who solicits a student online.
In Texas, this crime could result in second-degree felony charges. There is a minimum of two years of jail time for this crime.
9. Sexual Assault
When someone knowingly penetrates another individual’s anus or sexual organs without their consent, they are committing sexual assault. The crime can also happen when one individual penetrates another person’s mouth without their permission. There are several other circumstances that can fall under sexual assault, such as any type of penetration of a child or sexual contact without consent.
If a sexual assault occurs and results in serious injury or death, the crime is an aggravated sexual assault. If the assailant uses a weapon, the crime is also aggravated sexual assault. In these types of cases, the consequences are quite harsh. The penalties depend on various factors, such as the age of the victim, the circumstances of the incident, and the judge’s discretion.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Fort Worth Sex Crime Lawyer
In Fort Worth, there were approximately 2,678 sex offenders as of 2019. Those offenders have a tough road ahead of them. They could face a lifetime of difficulty finding work and housing.
If you want to avoid the challenges that come with a conviction for a sex crime, you should contact a Fort Worth criminal defense attorney. They can work towards fighting your charges or limiting your sentence. With the right strategy, they can get you a favorable outcome.
There are a few ways in which a lawyer may be able to help you. In some cases, they might be able to prove that the evidence isn’t strong enough for a conviction. They could convince the prosecutor not to file charges. At other times, they can stand up for you in court. An experienced lawyer could make a convincing argument in your favor.
Here at Cole Paschall Law, we think everyone deserves a chance at justice. If you’re facing charges for a sex crime, contact our office.
