Sex Crimes Penalties
Sex Crimes Defense in Houston: Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris & Montgomery Counties
Sex crimes constitute some of the most serious offenses prosecuted by the legal system, and the penalties for such crimes are very serious as well. In many cases, even a charge of committing a sex crime can have severe negative effects on a person’s life, whether or not a conviction is secured.
If a person is convicted of a sex crime, they can face lengthy prison sentences, heavy fines and mandatory sex offender registration that can last for the rest of their natural life.
Types of Sex Crimes
There are many different types of crimes that are prosecuted as sexual offenses. For example, a person who is convicted of possessing or distributing pornographic materials depicting minors can be charged with a second-degree felony.
Sexual assault is another very serious charge that occurs when a person makes physical contact of a sexual nature with another person who does not give their consent. According to the Texas Penal Code, this charge can be upgraded to aggravated sexual assault if violence was used in the commission of the crime or if the victim was especially vulnerable.
Prostitution is another offense that is prosecuted as a sex crime. In prostitution cases, the defendant can face additional sex offender penalties if he or she has a prior history of similar criminal actions.
Penalties for Sex Crimes
Sex offender sentences reflect the perceived seriousness of the alleged criminal behavior. In this way, sex crimes involving children, the elderly, disabled persons or violence, whether actual or threatened, are generally punished more harshly. There are some examples of sentences for sexual offenders:
- A conviction for a charge of sexual assault is a second-degree felony that can carry a sentence of two years or up to 20 years in prison.
- A charge of aggravated sexual assault against a child can bring a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of 99 years or life in prison.
- A charge of possessing or distributing sexual materials depicting children is a second-degree felony that is punishable with two to 20 years in prison.
- A person who is convicted of a sex crime is usually required to register as a sex offender for the duration of their life. The sex offender database can be viewed by any member of the public who wishes to see that information.
Defending Against Sex Crime Allegations
Defending against sex crimes charges is difficult, but not impossible. Because many such cases rely on eyewitness testimony, a sex crimes attorney can argue that the eyewitness did not issue a reliable statement. Also, for computer-based sex crime accusations, the defense attorney could argue that someone other than the defendant was using the defendant’s computer to commit the crimes.
Sit Down With a Houston Sex Crimes Lawyer
For more information about penalties for sex crimes, schedule a free consultation with Greg Tsioros by contacting (832) 752-5972.