McKinney Continuous Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Lawyers Defending Against Charges of Child Sexual Abuse in McKinney, TX
Many of the most serious sex crimes involve accusations related to child victims. A person who is charged with a child sex crime may be sentenced to decades or life in prison, and they will also be branded as a registered sex offender for life. One of the most serious offenses in this category is continuous sexual abuse of a young child. A person who is convicted may be sentenced to decades in prison with no possibility of parole, so they will need to determine what steps to take to defend against these charges.
At Texas Defense Firm, our lawyers can provide guidance for clients who have been accused of child sex crimes. We understand how serious these accusations can be and the ways our clients' lives and the lives of their loved ones may be affected. We will work closely with clients to determine how to respond to accusations and how to defend against sex crime convictions while fighting to protect their rights at all times.
When Can a Person Be Charged With Continuous Child Sexual Abuse?
The offense of continuous sexual abuse of a young child may apply in a situation where a person has been accused of committing two or more acts of sexual abuse against one or more children younger than 14 years old during a period lasting for 30 days or longer. Offenses that may be classified as child sexual abuse include:
- Aggravated sexual assault of a child
- Indecency with a child involving accusations that a person touched a child's genitals or anus or caused a child to touch someone else's private parts
- Aggravated kidnapping with the intent to commit sexual abuse against a child
- Burglary in a residence with the intent to commit sexual assault, indecency with a child, or kidnapping
- Sexual performance by a child, which may apply in child pornography cases
- Child trafficking
Charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child may be treated differently than many other criminal offenses. Rather than requiring proof that a single act of child sex abuse took place beyond a reasonable doubt, the prosecution may secure a conviction based on a pattern of alleged conduct. A jury must unanimously agree that at least two acts of child sex abuse occurred within a period of 30 days or more. Jurors do not need to agree on which two specific acts took place, or on the exact dates on which offenses occurred, but if they agree that there were at least two instances of child sexual abuse, a person may be convicted.
Because of the unique nature of these charges, cases may involve allegations of conduct that took place over a long period of time. A child's general recollections of a pattern of conduct over multiple months or years may serve as the basis of charges, and detailed evidence proving that acts of sexual abuse took place on specific dates may not be required. Our attorneys can take steps to address these accusations and help clients defend against convictions.
Reasons for Continuous Child Sexual Abuse Accusations
Charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child will be based on a pattern of alleged conduct rather than a single incident. Accusations may be made when a child has claimed that ongoing conduct took place over an extended period. Statements made to a parent, teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult could lead to investigations by Child Protective Services, and a case may be referred to law enforcement to determine whether a person may be arrested and criminal charges may be filed.
In many cases, accusations of child sex abuse arise in situations where a person has had regular contact with a child over a long period of time. A family member may be accused of abusing a child, or a teacher, coach, or caregiver may face accusations of multiple instances of child sexual abuse. During a divorce, a child custody dispute, or another situation involving family conflict, one party may accuse another party of abusing children. Understanding how accusations arose and what claims have been made by children may help to determine the options for challenging these accusations and defending against a conviction.
Penalties for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
First-degree felony charges will typically apply when a person has been accused of continuous sexual abuse of a young child. However, the punishments that may apply in these cases may be more severe than other first-degree felonies. A conviction carries a minimum prison sentence of 25 years. The maximum penalty is 99 years or life in prison.
Contact Our McKinney, Texas Continuous Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Because a conviction can result in a multi-decade sentence or the requirement to spend life in prison, a strong defense against charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child can be crucial. People accused of these offenses will often be treated harshly, and law enforcement officials may assume that they are guilty. They will need an advocate on their side who can protect their rights, make sure their cases will be handled fairly, and develop effective defense strategies to help prevent a conviction. At Texas Defense Firm, we can provide the representation clients need in these situations. Contact our McKinney continuous sexual abuse of a child defense attorneys at 972-369-0577 to schedule a free, confidential consultation today.
