McKinney, TX Sex Crimes Attorneys

Lawyers Representing Clients Charged With Sex Crimes in McKinney, Texas

All types of criminal charges should be taken seriously, but in cases involving accusations of sex crimes, people may encounter concerns that may not apply in other matters. A sex crime charge may involve allegations that a person engaged in sexual activities without consent or took actions that put children at risk. Many of these charges carry harsh penalties, including massive fines and years or decades behind bars. The penalties will not end after a sentence is complete, since ongoing registration requirements and other collateral consequences can continue to affect a person's life.

Because of the effects that sex crime accusations can have on a person's life, reputation, career, and freedom, legal representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney can be crucial in these cases. At Texas Defense Firm, we work with clients in McKinney and the surrounding cities and counties to address sex crime allegations. We understand the defense strategies that can be used in these cases, and we can provide the compassionate representation needed to put a person's mind at ease as we work to prevent a sex crime conviction.

Types of Sex Crimes Involving Adults

Our team can provide legal help for people who have been accused of offenses such as:

• Sexual Assault and Aggravated Sexual Assault: Accusations of non-consensual sexual contact or sexual intercourse, which is commonly known as rape, can lead to serious charges. In most cases, sexual assault is classified as a felony offense, and certain types of aggravating factors can lead to even more serious penalties.
• Indecent Exposure: This offense may involve the intentional exposure of a person's private parts to others with the intent to cause someone's arousal or gratify someone's sexual desire. Charges may involve accusations that a person intentionally exposed themselves to others or that they were reckless about whether someone would see them and be offended.
• Prostitution and Solicitation of Prostitution: A person who is accused of agreeing to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for money or another type of payment may face charges related to prostitution. While misdemeanor charges may apply for a person who has allegedly engaged in prostitution, a person accused of soliciting prostitution may face felony charges.
• Internet Sex Crimes: Certain types of online activities could lead to sex crime charges, including sharing explicit photographs or videos without the consent of the person depicted (commonly known as revenge pornography), creating "deepfake" images that appear to depict an actual person in a sexually explicit manner, cyberstalking, or online impersonation.

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The Serious Nature of Sex Crimes Involving Children

When a person is accused of a child sex crime, they are likely to face harsher penalties than in many other types of sex crime cases. Since children cannot legally consent to engage in sexual conduct, and they can suffer serious harm when they are the victims of sexual abuse, courts are likely to treat people who are convicted of child sex crimes harshly. These offenses may include:

• Indecency With a Child: While sexual assault charges may apply when a person is accused of having sexual intercourse with a minor, this offense may involve other types of sexual contact with children. It may also apply in cases where a person is accused of exposing themselves to a child or causing a child to expose themselves for the purpose of sexual arousal.
• Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child: A single act of sexual abuse against a child can lead to harsh penalties, but if a person is accused of engaging in two or more acts of sexual abuse against a child or children during a period of 30 days or more, the minimum sentence for a conviction will increase to 25 years.
• Online Solicitation of a Minor: People may be accused of engaging in sexually explicit communications with children over the internet, on social media, through text messages or emails, or through other methods. When a person has allegedly attempted to engage in illegal sexual activities with a minor, including by making arrangements to meet a child in person, they may be charged with online solicitation.
• Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student: Teachers, administrators, or other school employees may be accused of having sexual relationships with students. These charges can lead to serious criminal penalties, and they may also prevent a person from working as a teacher or in other jobs related to children in the future.
• Child Grooming: Some criminal charges may involve accusations that a person attempted to form a relationship with a child and gain trust in order to engage in sexual conduct. This is a felony offense that may be charged alongside other offenses, such as sexual assault or indecency with a child.
• Child Pornography: A person who is accused of possessing, accessing, distributing, or creating materials that depict children engaging in sexual conduct may face serious charges. Felony charges will typically apply if a person allegedly downloaded child pornography or obtained it through other means. More serious penalties may apply if a person allegedly distributed child pornography to others. The most serious offenses in this category involve the sexual exploitation of children to produce child pornography.
• Child Trafficking: A person who has allegedly harbored or transported a child in order to force them to engage in prostitution or other illegal sex acts may face felony charges that could lead to a sentence of life in prison. These charges may also be based on accusations that a person persuaded or coerced a child into prostitution or other forced sexual conduct.

Sex Offender Registration Issues in Sex Crime Cases

In many cases, people who are convicted of sex crimes will be required to register as sex offenders. This requirement may last for either 10 years or for life, depending on the specific offense. The requirements that apply to registered sex offenders include regular reporting to law enforcement, residency restrictions that prevent them from living in areas near schools or playgrounds, limits on the types of jobs they can hold, and other issues that can affect their daily lives.

Contact Our McKinney Sex Crimes Lawyers

Sex crime accusations can be very serious, and people who have been arrested or who learn that they are under investigation will need to make sure they have legal representation. At Texas Defense Firm, our lawyers can provide guidance on the best steps to take to respond to these accusations while helping to protect a person's rights and defend against a conviction. Contact our McKinney, TX sex crimes defense attorneys at 972-369-0577 to schedule a free and confidential consultation and get legal help with these matters.