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 […]

Hearsay statements are generally not admissible in criminal trials. Hearsay refers to any out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. For example, if a prosecutor wanted to prove that John committed murder, she could not have Luke testify that “Mark told me that John committed the murder.” Luke’s statement would be […]

In a criminal trial, the defendant has the right to introduce evidence that may serve to undermine the state’s case against them. This right is not unlimited, as there are a number of restrictions on the types of evidence that may be admissible at trial. One such restriction that specifically applies to defendants facing sex […]

When a person is charged with a sex crime, they have the right to understand the exact charge against them. But there are situations where prosecutors may allege one criminal sexual act in an indictment but present evidence of multiple acts at trial. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has said that in this situation, […]

In sex crimes cases, prosecutors often seek to introduce evidence of “grooming.” In broad terms, grooming refers to actions that sexual abusers take to gain the trust of their victims. And while grooming is not generally considered a complex topic, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has said prosecutors may rely on testimony from expert […]

Houston-area law enforcement take sex crimes cases extremely seriously. Police and prosecutors have every incentive to secure a conviction for anyone accused of sexual assault, particularly when the victim is a child. With that in mind, if the police suspect you are the guilty party, you need to be mindful of your constitutional right to […]