Waco Sex Crimes Lawyer

The state can impose harsh penalties if you are convicted of a criminal offense stemming from sexual misconduct. This can lead to a permanent criminal record that can impact your ability to find employment or housing opportunities.

A Waco sex crimes lawyer is ready to consult with you about the best strategy to defeat allegations of sexual misconduct. Do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with a diligent criminal defense attorney at The Greening Law Group today.

What are Sex Crimes?

Sex crimes encompass a range of criminal offenses against another person. Most people immediately think of rape or sexual assault when defining sex crimes, but these offenses can also include situations where there is no physical contact.

Some of the most common sex crimes outlawed by the state include:

• Sexual assault;
• Aggravated sexual assault;
• Statutory rape or indecency with a child;
• Prostitution;
• Solicitation or promotion of prostitution;
• Indecent exposure;
• Public lewdness; and
• Invasive visual recording.

Crimes involving rape fall under the category of sexual assault, according to Texas Penal Code Annotated § 22.011, which is defined as intentionally making sexual contact with another person that was not consensual.

If the sexual contact involves a child under 17 years old, the offense is considered sexual assault regardless of consent. The law defines sexual contact as any touching of another person’s private areas or genitals of another intended to arouse or gratify sexual desire.

Sexual assault is aggravated under Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.021 if the offender takes specific actions while committing the offense, such as:

• Kidnapping;
• Causing bodily harm or death;
• Threatening the victim with a deadly weapon;
• Administering a substance to impair the victim’s senses; and
• Sexually assaulting a victim younger than 14 years old.

A Waco lawyer could meet with you to discuss the current sex crime charges you are facing and the next steps to take in your case.

Do Sex Crimes Require Physical Contact?

Sex crimes are not limited to offenses involving non-consensual sexual conduct. Showing your own body or engaging in consensual sex in public, as well as illegally making a sexually explicit recording of another person, are also crimes under state law.

For example, Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 21.08 provides that a person is guilty of indecent exposure if they:

• Intentionally or recklessly expose their genitals or private areas to another person;
• Intend to arouse or gratify sexual desire; or
• Have no regard for offending or alarming another individual.

Engaging in sexual conduct in public is also illegal under the state’s public lewdness laws, according to Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 21.07. This includes sexual intercourse, oral sex, and any act of sexual contact.

Taking pictures or illegally recording a person’s nude body or while they are engaging in sexual conduct can also have harsh consequences under state law. An individual is guilty of invasive visual recording under Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 21.15 if they:

• Photograph or videotape another individual without consent;
• Promote, broadcast, or transmit visual images of another person’s intimate areas; and
• The other party had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

For more information on what qualifies as a sex crime, call our knowledgeable team with The Greening Law Group today.

Potential Defenses to Sex Crimes

If you are charged with a sex crime in Waco, your attorney’s best defense for you will depend on the nature of the charges. For sexual assault allegations, many cases will hinge on the question of consent.

Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.011 outlines various factors that can indicate a lack of consent, including:

• Compelling sexual contact by force or threatening violence;
• Committing sexual acts with an unconscious individual;
• Intentionally impairing someone by administering a substance without their knowledge; or
• Coercing a person by exploiting their position as a public servant, mental health professional, clergyman, or health care services provider.

If the accused party can show that the other individual consented to the sexual conduct, this could help beat sexual assault charges. The state also provides an affirmative defense to charges stemming from sexual assault allegations with a victim younger than 17 years of age. For instance, if the alleged offender was administering medical care, or the child was at least 14 years of age while the defendant was no more than three years older.

Speak with a Sex Crimes Attorney in Waco Today

Sex crime allegations must be taken seriously, regardless of whether you believe the accusations are false. Penalties for felony convictions start at a minimum of 180 days to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

Considering the public stigma from sex crime allegations, hiring a knowledgeable Waco sex crimes lawyer could significantly increase your chances of a positive outcome. Call The Greening Law Group today to discuss your case with our dedicated legal team.