Sex offenses are some of the most serious crimes that a person can be accused of, as conviction almost always comes with mandatory registration as a sex offender. This can have far-reaching consequences for registrants, making it especially important for those who have been accused of a sex crime, to speak with an experienced Houston […]

Most sex crimes in Texas are prosecuted as felony offenses, which carry mandatory jail time and sometimes the requirement of registration as a sex offender. Some sex crimes, however, namely those that don’t involve violence or penetrative sexual contact, can be charged as misdemeanors, which means that a defendant could receive probation instead of jail […]

In a criminal trial, the prosecution’s job is to prove that the defendant committed the alleged offense. The objective is not to put the defendant’s overall character on trial. Indeed, under Texas law, such character evidence is inadmissible to prove the defendant’s guilt with respect to the actual charges. Unfortunately, we often see prosecutors try […]

Contrary to what television crime dramas would have you believe, DNA testing is not a mistake-proof way of identifying criminal suspects. Indeed, like any scientific method, the process of DNA testing has been altered and refined over the years to the point where many older test results would no longer be considered valid. Yet there […]

A sex crime conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. Indeed, even after you have served a criminal prison sentence for a sex offense, a Texas judge may subsequently order your “civil commitment” if prosecutors can show you are a “repeat sexually violent offender.” And even if the court does not strictly […]

Sex crimes involving child victims often draw the harshest penalties under Texas law. For example, the offense of continuous sexual abuse of young child or children is a first-degree felony. This means that if convicted, a defendant faces a potential life sentence–or at a minimum, at least 25 years in prison. Houston Court Upholds 50-Year […]

The right to a jury trial is fundamental to our criminal justice system. Having an impartial, unbiased jury is especially crucial in cases involving alleged sex crimes and sex offenses. By their very nature, these charges are deeply emotional and understandably provoke a sympathetic reaction in favor of the accusers. As a result, judges must […]

Sex crimes prosecutions are some of the more complex cases handled by the Texas judicial system. They often involve scientific evidence and multiple witnesses. It is therefore critical that the defendant has experienced representation from a criminal defense attorney who understands the rules of evidence and other aspects of the process. It should go without […]

When it comes to sex offenses and sex crimes, Texas prosecutors may look to charge someone other than the actual perpetrator. By law, a person is also guilty of a sex crime if they had a “legal duty to prevent the offense” but instead “acted with intent to promote or assist its commission.” To put […]

Compelling prostitution–i.e., pimping–is one of the most serious sex crimes a person can be charged with, in Texas. Under the state’s Penal Code, compelling prostitution is a first-degree felony. In simple terms, pimping can send you to prison for the rest of your life. There are actually two separate definitions of compelling prostitution under Section […]