Sex Crimes Attorney in Friendswood, TX
Texas’s penal code reserves some of the harshest penalties for individuals convicted of sex crimes. If you are facing charges for sexual assault, molestation, possession of child pornography, or another sex-related offense, you can rely on the services of a Friendswood sex crimes lawyer to shield you from sex crimes penalties that could include jail or prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Why You Should Choose The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates?
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates represents defendants facing sex crime charges in Friendswood. We understand that law enforcement often jumps to conclusions without understanding the full story. That’s where we come in. Our industry-leading team of Friendswood criminal defense attorneys can closely examine every detail of the prosecution’s case to find weaknesses and inconsistencies that could ultimately exonerate you of your charges.
When you work with our law firm, you gain a trusted ally who doesn’t see you as another client number. We know that the people we represent come to us during what could be the most difficult ordeal of their lives, and they expect results. We take a fresh approach to every case we take on and allocate considerable time and resources to the people we represent because we understand that securing justice for our clients often requires going above and beyond.
Understanding Sex Crimes in Friendswood
Sex crimes are all serious offenses in Texas and often result in serious felony charges. Specific offenses could include sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child, and crimes connected to prostitution or human trafficking.
These offenses often remain underreported due to fear, shame, or the personal connection between victim and perpetrator. The penalties associated with these crimes reflect the emotional toll on survivors and entire communities.
Victims are often left facing serious trauma and financial setbacks. As with other crimes, defendants can be misidentified or falsely accused by victims who provide law enforcement with false or misleading details. Sorting out what did or didn’t occur often requires diligent work by the defendant’s attorney.
In Friendswood, the estimated annual cost of rape and sexual assault is approximately $2.86 million, or about $43 per resident. This figure reflects the financial burden resulting from emergency medical care, mental health treatment, law enforcement efforts, and economic losses due to reduced productivity or diminished quality of life.
Local cases can leave public servants facing serious criminal charges. In May 2025, a former Harris County reserve deputy was arrested in Santa Fe, located in Galveston County, on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Authorities later added three counts of child pornography possession. He is currently held without bond and has been removed from his law enforcement role.
Statewide, human trafficking connected to commercial sex acts is a serious sex-related crime that remains aggressively investigated by law enforcement. According to the 2023 Crime in Texas Annual Report, there were 1.1 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents, which is down 17% from the previous year.
How Sex Crimes Are Investigated
Sex crime investigations can be initiated by the victim. Whether someone notifies police that they were assaulted immediately after the fact or some time after, the Texas statute of limitations allows ample time for victims to come forward. The longer they wait, though, the less evidence there may be to support the charge.
When a sex crime involves a minor child, their parents or a mandatory reporter like a teacher may notify police about the potential abuse. Once a report is filed, a detective or special unit may be assigned to identify the suspect or bring the suspect in for questioning.
Child pornography charges can result from internet service providers flagging content from illicit sites. Once that information is turned over to law enforcement, police may act quickly to arrest the suspect and confiscate their electronic devices.
Whether an arrest occurs soon after the offense or some time later, defendants have the right to review the evidence used against them with the help of a criminal defense attorney. When a defendant secures strong legal representation, prosecutors may have a difficult time pursuing a conviction.
What To Expect After Your Arrest?
Following an arrest for a sex crime, suspects are booked at the nearest county jail, where jailers photograph and take the suspect’s fingerprints. Then, the suspect is formally notified of the charges, often at a magistrate or arraignment hearing that usually happens within 24 to 48 hours. Around this time, a judge determines whether the suspect qualifies for bail.
If bail is set, the suspect can pay bail as a condition of release. More serious crimes may lead to high bail or denial of bail altogether, such as offenses that involve underage victims. If the suspect is released on bail, they are given instructions to show up for court for their initial hearing.
Then the pretrial phase begins, where both the defense and prosecution take steps to build their cases. The defense attorney can review the evidence being used against their client so they can build an effective defense strategy. New evidence may be uncovered throughout the process, which can alter the dynamics of the case considerably.
Understanding Your Right to Remain Silent
All criminal defendants have a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. This includes the right to avoid self-incrimination. This right begins the moment you suspect you are under investigation or are approached by law enforcement. Invoking your right to remain silent does not mean that you are guilty, and protecting your rights cannot be used against you.
Law enforcement may try to pressure you to talk. They may say that giving the full story could ultimately help your case, but it is important to remember that speaking to anyone without legal representation could greatly weaken your case and compromise your ability to fight your charges later on.
If you state that you were at the scene of the crime and law enforcement had no proof that you were until then, you will have given them the evidence they need to have you formally charged. By calmly telling police that you decline to answer questions without an attorney present, you are laying the groundwork for a strong defense that could clear you of any wrongdoing.
Potential Penalties of a Sex Crime Conviction
A sex crime conviction can lead to serious legal and personal consequences. Many sex crimes are classified as felony offenses that can potentially lead to years or decades of confinement in prison.
A conviction could also lead to steep fines and mandatory sex offender registration. Being listed on the sex offender registry can restrict where you live, work, or travel, and your name may remain searchable by the public for life.
You may also face court-ordered counseling, probation, and limitations on internet use or contact with minors. Even after serving your sentence, the social stigma can follow you indefinitely and seriously damage personal relationships and impede future employment opportunities.
Effective Legal Defense Strategies
Choosing the right legal defense strategy can significantly increase your chances of avoiding the most severe consequences associated with the charges. One defense strategy could involve questioning the credibility or reliability of the witness or witnesses.
If the victim was in a romantic relationship with you at one time, it could raise questions about their motivations. If personal animosity or unresolved conflict leads to exaggeration of the allegations, that could affect how the case is charged and handled. Complicated past relationships could lead your attorney to seek reduced or dropped charges.
Mistaken identity is another effective defense strategy, especially when the prosecution lacks tangible evidence placing you at the scene of the alleged incident. Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable, and many suspects have been wrongfully identified in Texas criminal cases.
Whether your case relies on suppressing unlawfully obtained evidence or chipping away at the state’s case, having a strategic and focused legal strategy can provide you with the strongest chance of securing a favorable outcome to your case that allows you to put the ordeal behind you.
Why You Should Hire a Sex Crimes Lawyer in Friendswood, TX?
Going to court without strong legal representation could place your freedom and future in jeopardy. Defendants who do not have an attorney are at high risk of making costly mistakes that could compromise their case. Prosecutors often go to great lengths to pressure unrepresented defendants into pleading guilty or accepting an unfavorable plea bargain agreement.
The decision to hire a sex crimes attorney can play a significant role in your sex crimes case by providing you with the legal support you need at a critical time. Criminal defense attorneys bring considerable experience handling sex crimes cases and understanding what types of weaknesses and inconsistencies to look for when chipping away at the prosecution’s case.
As effective negotiators, they can work directly with prosecutors to seek outcomes that lessen the charges or potential consequences. When the evidence is in your favor or the state’s case lacks sufficient evidence to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, your attorney can explain the advantages of going to trial and letting a judge or jury decide the outcome.
FAQs About Sex Crimes
What Crimes Are Considered Sex Offenses in Texas?
Crimes that are considered sex offenses in Texas include sexual assault, indecency with a child, online solicitation, improper relationship between educator and student, and possession of child pornography. In Friendswood, these charges are severely prosecuted, and prosecutors aggressively pursue convictions. Even first-time offenders could face serious consequences if they are found guilty of committing this type of crime.
Do I Have to Register as a Sex Offender if Convicted?
You may have to register as a sex offender if convicted. Most sex crime convictions in Texas require registration on the public sex offender registry. In Friendswood, this label can restrict housing, employment, and travel. Some offenses result in lifetime registration. Avoiding registration requires fighting the charges in court and pursuing a dismissal, acquittal, or a negotiated plea that leads to an outcome that avoids the requirement to register as a sex offender.
Can I Be Charged With a Sex Crime Based Only on an Accusation?
In Texas, a person can be arrested and charged with a sex crime based on an accusation alone. Friendswood law enforcement may arrest you even before completing a full investigation. These cases often rely on testimony rather than physical evidence. Once the criminal case moves forward, a lawyer can challenge the credibility of the accuser and explore other defense strategies that could shield you from serious penalties.
How Can a Lawyer Challenge Sex Crime Allegations?
There are many ways that an experienced criminal defense lawyer can challenge sex crime allegations. A defense lawyer can challenge the accuser’s credibility, expose false or misleading testimony, and attack weaknesses in forensic or digital evidence. In Friendswood, these cases require a precise and aggressive approach that is based on early preparation and relentless pressure on the prosecution’s version of events.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction?
Some of the long-term consequences of a sex crime conviction can include prison time, sex offender registration, loss of professional licenses, destroyed relationships, and permanent public stigma. In Friendswood, the criminal courts treat these cases seriously and offer little leniency. To protect your future, you can rely on a skilled attorney who can work to protect your freedom.
Accused of a Sex Crime in Friendswood? Turn to a Team With Serious Credentials
A sex crime charge can jeopardize your future and damage your reputation and freedom. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we offer strategic defense backed by years of courtroom experience. Our legal team includes a former U.S. Air Force Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, and our lawyers are affiliated with respected organizations such as the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
We understand the sensitive nature of these accusations and are prepared to build a strong case based on legal defense strategies that work. When your future is on the line, trust our team of criminal defense lawyers to fight your charges and clear you of wrongdoing. To schedule your initial confidential consultation, contact our office today.