Rape Attorney in Friendswood, TX
Being charged with sexual assault can mark the beginning of a life-altering ordeal that can jeopardize your future and reputation. Few crimes carry the potential consequences of a rape conviction, which is why many defendants seek the legal support of a Friendswood rape lawyer to guide them through rape cases. With representation from a Friendswood rape attorney, you can fight the allegations made against you so you do not face a potential prison sentence.
Why You Should Choose The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates?
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates represents defendants facing rape charges. Our Friendswood criminal defense law firm brings many decades of combined experience, and our founding attorney has handled more than 400 jury trials and is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Associate attorney Amber Spurlock, a retired Air Force Captain, brings focus, precision, and a relentless work ethic to every case. We understand how high the stakes are for anyone facing potentially life-altering felony charges, which is why we provide strategic, results-driven representation aimed at protecting your rights and future.
Understanding Rape Charges in Friendswood
Although the term “rape” is commonly used to describe the use of force when committing sexual acts, Texas law treats rape as sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault under Penal Code § 22.021. These charges can involve force, threats, or situations where the victim is unable to consent due to age or incapacity.
In Friendswood, neighborhoods like West Ranch, Eagle Lakes, and Mission Estates are not immune to these serious accusations, and cases may involve both minors and adults. A conviction often leads to registration as a sex offender and a potential prison sentence served at facilities like the Darrington Unit in nearby Brazoria County.
Rape is a commonly charged felony across the state. According to the 2023 Crime in Texas Annual Report, 3,181 incidents of aggravated sexual assault were reported statewide. Solving these cases remains a challenge. In 2022, authorities closed about 20.5% of rape and sexual assault cases. By 2023, that figure dropped to roughly 14.7%, meaning more cases are being left unresolved due to a lack of evidence or uncooperative witnesses.
A notable local incident occurred in May 2025, when a 43-year-old reserve deputy for Harris County was arrested in Santa Fe, located in Galveston County, on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. During the investigation, Dickinson Police uncovered child pornography on his phone, leading to three more charges.
How Rape Charges Are Investigated
Rape investigations commonly begin soon after the incident. If the victim requires medical treatment or flees the perpetrator and calls police, law enforcement may act quickly to gather testimony and the suspect’s description before putting out an alert to area police.
If the victim knows the identity of the suspect, a detective or a team of police may bring the suspect in for questioning. Depending on the available evidence, the suspect may be released or arrested immediately and charged with sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault.
Other cases may be reported days or weeks later. In some cases, the victim may not come forward for months. Without DNA evidence remaining, law enforcement may rely on eyewitness accounts to find the suspect. In some cases, the public may be notified of the incident and provided with a description of the suspect.
Investigators may also interview witnesses, review surveillance footage, and analyze digital communications like texts or social media messages. In many cases, the alleged victim’s testimony plays a central role, especially if physical evidence is limited or inconclusive.
Police are trained to approach these cases with sensitivity, but this can also result in a strong presumption of guilt. Defendants may not even be aware they are under investigation until they are arrested or asked to speak with detectives.
What To Expect After Your Arrest?
After your arrest on rape charges, you’ll be brought to a nearby jail and booked. During your booking, your fingerprints will be taken along with photos. The magistrate process is typically handled soon after, when a magistrate judge informs you of your charges and your bond options.
There’s no guarantee that anyone charged with a serious, violent crime will be offered a bond. If a bond is granted, it is often set at a high amount to limit the likelihood of the defendant’s release before trial. Those decisions are made by a judge and are based on the defendant’s criminal history and current charges.
Whether you are released or confined to failure, you’ll appear before a judge for periodic hearings throughout the pre-trial period. During this time, your lawyer can gather further evidence to support your defense and review the prosecution’s evidence to find inconsistencies and weaknesses in the state’s case.
Many cases are resolved through plea bargaining. A favorable plea bargain agreement could reduce your risk of facing serious consequences, but you’ll be asked to admit guilt to the current charge or a lesser offense. Defendants have the right to a trial, which allows a judge or jury to determine whether the defendant committed the crime they are charged with.
Potential Outcomes for Your Case
There are several potential outcomes to any criminal case, including multiple that would be considered favorable. The factors that shape how a case is finally resolved include the strength of the evidence and how effective your criminal defense attorney is at representing you and protecting your rights.
The most favorable outcome is a full dismissal of the charges, either through a successful pre-trial motion or a lack of evidence. This is followed by an acquittal at trial, where a judge or jury finds you not guilty.
In some cases, prosecutors may offer a favorable plea deal that significantly reduces the charges or penalties you face. Alternative sentencing options like deferred adjudication or pre-trial diversion may also be possible and help you avoid a permanent conviction.
Less favorable outcomes include being convicted at trial or pleading guilty without a good agreement in place. Although there are no guarantees in court, having strong legal representation from the earliest stage of your case can position you for an outcome that avoids serious, potentially life-altering penalties.
Effective Legal Defense Strategies
An effective legal defense strategy works to prove that a defendant is innocent or that the prosecution lacks the evidence they need to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Depending on the facts of your case, an attorney may focus on how law enforcement collected evidence. If you are facing charges due to evidence collected unlawfully, your attorney can take steps to have the evidence suppressed, meaning it cannot be presented in court.
If your case is built on witness testimony, your attorney can look for evidence that the witness is unreliable, either because they make inconsistent statements, did not have a clear view of the suspect, or have personal reasons for naming the current suspect. The victim’s statements can also be scrutinized for those very same weaknesses.
Misidentification is another potentially powerful defense strategy. In some cases, the defense may present an alibi or assert misidentification, especially when supported by credible witnesses or electronic records confirming the defendant was elsewhere during the alleged assault.
How Plea Bargaining Can Affect Your Case
The vast majority of criminal cases are resolved through plea bargaining, although there is always the possibility that prosecutors may play hardball by offering an unfavorable plea bargain or no offer at all. Still, it is important to understand how a plea bargain may affect the outcome of your case.
Plea bargains are offered because the courts do not realistically have the capacity to provide every defendant with a trial. To reduce the size of criminal court dockets and provide defendants with a pathway to resolve their charges, prosecutors frequently offer the accused party an offer that they can take in return for a guarantee of reduced penalties or charges.
In return, defendants enter a plea of guilty to an agreed-upon offense. The process allows prosecutors to secure a guilty plea while reducing the uncertainty of going to trial.
Why You Should Hire a Rape Lawyer?
The decision to hire a rape lawyer can greatly improve your odds of securing a positive outcome to your case. A Friendswood rape attorney understands the state’s rape laws and how to break down the prosecution’s case so their client’s charges are ultimately reduced or dropped.
Without legal representation, you could be pressured to accept an unfavorable plea deal or say something that incriminates yourself. Legal representation balances the scales of justice back in your favor by connecting you with an experienced lawyer who has their own legal team and resources for independently investigating the allegations that you are facing.
Lawyers are more than representatives in court. They are skillful negotiators who can secure beneficial plea bargain agreements. If the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof, your attorney can take decisive steps to have your charges dropped or reduced. Whichever path leads to a favorable outcome, your attorney plays a key role in helping you navigate your case with confidence.
FAQs About Rape Charges
What Is the Legal Definition of Rape in Texas?
Texas law uses the term sexual assault rather than rape, but the offense involves non-consensual sexual penetration by force, coercion, or without the victim’s ability to consent. In Friendswood, this charge is prosecuted as a second or first-degree felony. A conviction can lead to serious prison time and sex offender registration when you are released. Given the high stakes that can place your future in jeopardy, securing experienced legal representation is crucial.
What Happens After a Rape Accusation in Friendswood?
Once a rape accusation is made, police may open an investigation that could involve a forensic exam and requests for an arrest warrant. If you have been questioned by law enforcement, the time to act is now. Do not speak with investigators. Contact a lawyer immediately so your attorney can speak on your behalf and begin building a defense strategy that protects your rights and pursues a favorable outcome to your case.
Can Someone Be Charged With Rape if Both Parties Knew Each Other?
Yes. Someone can be charged with rape if both parties knew each other. Consent is often a central issue, not whether the parties knew each other. In Friendswood, Texas, many rape accusations involve acquaintances, former partners, or coworkers. If a past or recent romantic relationship potentially discredits the victim, a lawyer can pursue a defense based on false allegations.
What Are the Possible Penalties for a Rape Conviction in Texas?
The possible penalties for a rape conviction in Texas can include prison sentences ranging from a few years to decades. Aggravated sexual assault can result in a prison sentence of multiple decades. Even if someone is eventually released from prison, they would still face additional penalties like mandatory sex offender registration and a permanent criminal record.
What Should I Do if I Am Falsely Accused of Rape?
If you are falsely accused of raping someone, stay silent and call an attorney immediately. False rape accusations happen, and your defense may rely on the counsel and swift actions of an experienced criminal defense attorney. A lawyer can challenge the state’s case from the beginning, so you stand the strongest chance of successfully fighting your charges.
Facing Rape Charges in Friendswood? Let Our Skilled Defense Team Help
Rape charges carry some of the most serious consequences under Texas criminal law. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, our attorneys draw on years of courtroom experience and advanced legal training to protect your rights. Our legal team includes a former U.S. Air Force Assistant Staff Judge Advocate and members of respected organizations like the Texas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
We understand the forensic, procedural, and evidentiary complexities that often define these cases. When everything is at stake, you deserve a team prepared to defend you with precision and determination. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.