Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorney in Friendswood, TX
One of the most serious sex crimes you can be charged with is aggravated sexual assault. The state’s aggravated sexual assault laws are designed to impose severe penalties for anyone found guilty of sexual acts involving force or cases involving vulnerable victims. These charges often carry enhanced consequences. If you are under investigation or facing charges, a Friendswood aggravated sexual assault lawyer can fight your charges by scrutinizing the prosecution’s case.
Why You Should Choose The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates?
At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we understand what’s at stake when you’re charged with aggravated sexual assault. These are life-altering accusations that require immediate, aggressive legal action. Our team builds strong, evidence-based defenses tailored to the facts of your case. We never rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.
With over 400 jury trials to his name, our founding attorney, Tad Nelson, brings the battle-tested courtroom experience needed in serious felony cases. Associate attorney Amber Spurlock, a retired Air Force Captain, brings a disciplined focus and tenacious advocacy to our defense team. Together, they stand prepared to protect your rights and pursue a winning legal strategy.
Understanding Aggravated Sexual Assault in Friendswood
Aggravated sexual assault is one of the most serious sex offenses under Texas law. It is defined under Texas Penal Code § 22.021 and involves sexual conduct that includes threats, violence, or the use of force. The victims are often vulnerable and can include children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.
In many cases, the offense includes causing serious bodily injury, the use of a weapon, or multiple perpetrators. These cases are not only emotionally charged but often difficult to investigate, especially when there is little physical evidence and the incident involves someone the victim knows personally.
According to the 2023 Crime in Texas Annual Report from the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were 3,181 reported incidents of aggravated sexual assault across the state. However, the clearance rate for sexual assault cases is declining.
In 2022, police solved about one in five cases. By 2023, that number dropped to roughly one in seven. This decline suggests more cases are going unsolved, often due to the sensitive nature of the crimes and the challenges of obtaining clear evidence or reliable witness accounts.
In a 2025 recent high-profile case, a 43-year-old reserve deputy from Harris County was arrested in Santa Fe, located in nearby Galveston County, for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Additional charges were filed when investigators found child pornography on his phone.
How Aggravated Sexual Assault Cases Are Investigated
Investigations into aggravated assault cases are commonly initiated shortly after the assault when victims come forward and talk to police about the attack. The nature of sex crimes also means that victims may wait days or weeks and sometimes longer to come forward, either out of a sense of shame or uncertainty about whether their story will be taken seriously.
Once an investigation is initiated, police may have follow-up interviews with the victim to gather more details. They may visit the scene of the crime to document the scene, gather video footage, and collect witness testimony. Medical evidence plays an important role in sexual assault cases. If the victim has pictures or bruises and other signs of an attack, that can strengthen their claim.
If investigators have a suspect, they may call the suspect in to question them about their whereabouts the day or night of the crime. Based on the testimony and other evidence gathered from the investigation, the police may move to arrest the suspect then or after the investigation has been completed and there is sufficient evidence to show probable cause.
What To Do if You Are Arrested?
The steps you take after your arrest can greatly influence the outcome of your criminal case. Do not answer questions other than providing basic identification information to the police. Remain calm and do not resist arrest. Being arrested can be an emotional and upsetting ordeal, but overreacting could paint you in an unfavorable light or even land you with additional charges for resisting arrest.
Do not argue with officers or try to explain your side of the story on the spot. Remember, whatever you tell them can be used against you. Instead, invoke your right to remain silent and request an attorney immediately.
After being arrested, you’ll be taken to the nearest county jail and booked. This process includes giving your fingerprints and having your photo taken. You may be held in jail until a magistrate’s hearing is held. This usually happens within 24 to 48 hours and includes a reading of the charges.
Depending on the severity of your charges, you may be offered bail as a condition of your release. More serious crimes often lead to high bail amounts that must be paid before you can be released.
If you are granted bail, follow the conditions of your bail exactly. Do not attempt to contact the alleged victim or discuss your case with anyone except your attorney. The legal process following an arrest can be confusing and intimidating, especially in cases involving serious charges.
Understanding the Right to Remain Silent
The right to remain silent is one of the most powerful legal protections you have after an arrest. Guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, this right protects you from being forced to incriminate yourself.
When police read you your Miranda rights, they are legally informing you that you do not have to answer questions and that if you do, it can be used against you later. This is not just a formality.
You should exercise this right immediately upon being detained or questioned about a crime. Politely tell the officers that you are invoking your right to remain silent and would like to speak with an attorney. Remaining silent is not an admittance of guilt, even if police try to tell you otherwise.
Remaining silent cannot be held against you. Juries are instructed not to interpret silence as guilt, and securing legal representation before speaking to law enforcement is simply smart self-protection. Once you have secured legal representation, your attorney can speak on your behalf.
Effective Defense Strategies
An effective legal defense strategy works to systematically poke holes in the prosecution’s case and position you for a positive outcome in your criminal case. One of the most common strategies is filing motions to suppress evidence obtained through illegal searches, seizures, or interrogations.
If the police violated your constitutional rights at any point during the investigation, your attorney may be able to get key evidence thrown out. In some cases, this step can leave the prosecution with no choice but to drop or consider reducing charges in light of their lack of substantial evidence.
Another strategy involves challenging the credibility or reliability of witnesses, especially in cases where the allegations are based largely on personal testimony. Whether the statements come from witnesses or the victim, inconsistencies in those testimonies can favor the defendant.
If forensic evidence is involved, your defense may focus on how it was collected, analyzed, and stored, especially in cases where digital or physical evidence is central to the prosecution’s case. Any steps that question the prosecution’s use of aggravating factors can also reduce the penalties that a defendant is facing.
Lastly, misidentification can lead to a favorable outcome in court, especially when the defendant has an alibi witness who can place the defendant at another location at the time of the sexual assault.
Why You Should Hire an Aggravated Sexual Assault Lawyer?
Facing charges for aggravated sexual assault can be an unsettling experience. Often, the outcome of any criminal case depends on the experience and quality of the defendant’s attorney. The decision to hire a Friendswood aggravated sexual assault lawyer can provide you with the support and resources you need to scrutinize the prosecution’s case.
An attorney who focuses on defending aggravated sexual assault cases understands the high stakes involved in these cases and how to gather new evidence to support their client’s innocence or at least cast serious doubt on the prosecution’s assertions and the reliability of witness and victim statements.
With the right legal support, you can potentially have your charges dropped or reduced. If negotiations yield a favorable plea bargain agreement, your lawyer can explain the pros and cons of accepting a deal offered by the prosecution.
If the case goes to trial, you need someone who is comfortable in the courtroom and knows how to present a compelling defense to a jury based on their knowledge of aggravated sexual assault laws. With so much on the line, hiring an aggravated sexual assault lawyer is essential to protecting your freedom and your future.
Tips for Finding the Right Legal Support
The outcome of your criminal case depends in no small part on the experience of your Friendswood aggravated sexual assault attorney. The decision to hire an aggravated sexual assault lawyer is an investment in your future that can lead to positive outcomes for your case. With the right legal strategy, you may be able to resolve your case in a way that allows you to move forward and put the ordeal behind you.
Attorneys bring years or even decades of experience using their knowledge of aggravated sexual assault laws to win aggravated sexual assault cases. Whether your case benefits from skillful negotiations with prosecutors or strategically filed motions in court, having an experienced criminal defense lawyer by your side provides you with the guidance, protection, and advocacy needed to pursue the most optimal outcome.
FAQs About Aggravated Sexual Assault
What Qualifies as Aggravated Sexual Assault in Texas?
Aggravated sexual assault is categorized by sexual assault with additional aggravating elements such as causing serious bodily injury, the use of a weapon, or targeting a child or elderly person. In Friendswood, this criminal offense is a felony. Prosecutors pursue these charges aggressively. A conviction can potentially lead to decades of confinement in prison. Immediate legal representation is critical for challenging the prosecution’s case.
What Are the Penalties for Aggravated Sexual Assault in Friendswood?
Aggravated sexual assault is a felony, and the penalties in Friendswood can potentially include decades of confinement in prison. Additional consequences to these charges may include mandatory sex offender registration and a permanent criminal record. In Friendswood, the courts do not take these charges lightly, which is why building a strong defense is essential.
Can I Be Arrested Based Only on an Allegation?
Yes. In Texas, you can be arrested for aggravated sexual assault based solely on an accusation if police believe there is probable cause. In Friendswood, these arrests can quickly place your freedom in jeopardy. Once you are arrested, every statement you make can be used against you. An attorney can scrutinize the evidence used against you to find inconsistencies in the victim’s statements.
How Does a Lawyer Defend You Against Aggravated Sexual Assault Charges?
A defense lawyer can defend you against aggravated sexual assault charges by scrutinizing the accuser’s credibility, challenging the physical and forensic evidence, and investigating possible motives for a false report. In Friendswood, many aggravated sexual assault cases hinge on inconsistent testimony or a lack of proof. With a strong legal defense strategy in place, your lawyer can find ways to secure reduced charges or an acquittal.
What Should I Do if I Am Being Investigated for Aggravated Sexual Assault but Not Charged?
If you are being investigated for aggravated sexual assault, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Do not answer questions or meet with police without legal counsel. In Friendswood, pre-charge investigations often involve attempts to gather incriminating statements. An attorney can speak on your behalf, protect your rights, and intervene before charges are filed.
Charged With Aggravated Sexual Assault? Our Legal Team Has the Experience To Respond
The mere allegation that you sexually assaulted someone can lead to long-lasting reputational harm. When your freedom and future are on the line, you need legal representation rooted in skill, experience, and a detailed understanding of Texas law.
At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, our legal team includes a former U.S. Air Force Assistant Staff Judge Advocate and attorneys with memberships in the Texas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Galveston County Criminal Lawyers Association. We understand how to examine the prosecution’s evidence to uncover flaws in the state’s case. Contact our office today to learn how we can fight your charges.