Hire An Accomplished Sex Crime Charges Attorney
A felony sex crime conviction can affect your life for years after you’ve finished serving time. The social and civil ramifications of a sex crime conviction can impact where you are able to live, what jobs you can take and force you to carry a social stigma that is difficult to erase.
If you’ve been accused of a sex crime, an attorney from Barnhill Law Firm can help you build a strong defense. Our team of skilled sex crimes defense attorneys can help you fight back against sex crimes charges, defending your rights and preserving your freedom. Since our founding in 2001, our firm has been dedicated to providing a steadfast criminal defense in serious cases in Gatesville and throughout Central Texas.
Sex Crimes Carry A Heavy Penalty In Texas
There are multiple crimes that can fall under the category of sex crimes, including but not limited to: rape, sexual assault, possession of child pornography and solicitation of a minor. Nearly all sex crimes are at least a second-degree felony in Texas and carry with them a minimum penalty of five years to a maximum of 99 years, with fines of up to $10,000. This can be especially severe in cases of aggravated sexual assault, which are elevated to first-degree felonies and can carry a minimum sentence of 25 years depending on the age of the victim and whether threats of death, use of a deadly weapon or serious bodily harm were committed against the victim.
Because of the seriousness of these penalties, it is vital that you get help from a seasoned sex crimes defense lawyer if you have been accused of one of these offenses. At Barnhill Law Firm, our team has the knowledge, skill, and tenacity to build and execute a defense strategy that is designed to maximize your chances of beating your case and protecting both your personal freedom and your reputation.
Understanding The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program (S.O.R.): What Does “Lifetime Registration” Really Mean?
By law, anyone convicted of a sex crime who is living, working or going to school in Texas must register with either the local municipality or county as a sex offender. This system is designed to protect the public from repeat offenders, and it strictly requires that registered sex offenders maintain their current information with the relevant local authorities for easy publication and location.
Depending on the severity of the underlying sex crime conviction, a person may be required to stay a registered sex offender for either 10 years for some offenses, or for the remainder of their lives for others. Generally, an adult sex offender must stay on the registration list for their entire life if the crime they committed was of a more serious nature, as outlined under Texas state law. Other adults are eligible to be released from the program on the 10th anniversary of the end of their incarceration. Sex offenders who were incarcerated as juveniles are eligible to be released from the program after ten years from the completion of their punishment.
Collateral Consequences Of A Sex Crime Conviction Beyond Prison: Licenses, Employment And Custody.
Beyond the criminal and social penalties that stem from a sex crimes conviction, there are a number of civil penalties that apply as well to those who have been convicted. Specifically, a sex crimes conviction will bar you from owning a firearm, your ability to vote, and accessing certain government services and benefits. It can also impact your ability to maintain custody of your children, as a judge may weigh a sex crimes conviction heavily against you in a custody dispute.
A sex crimes conviction will also impact your career in a major way. Many professions that require professional licensing have provisions barring those with sex crime convictions from obtaining a license. Even employers who do not have an explicit policy against hiring those with a sex crimes conviction will see your criminal record during a background check and potentially refuse to hire you on that basis. Colleges may deny you admission because of your criminal record, and landlords may refuse to rent to you after performing a background check. Because of all of these potential consequences, it is vital to do everything possible to avoid a sex crime criminal conviction.
Title IX Vs. Criminal Court: Defending College Students Against Sexual Misconduct Allegations In Central Texas.
College students accused of a sex crime face not only the potential of a criminal conviction but also the possibility of scholastic discipline and expulsion. Colleges will pursue a Title IX investigation against students accused of sexual misconduct, and while the focus can often be on the potential criminal penalties stemming from the incident, even if they are not convicted in criminal court, they may still be found guilty in an administrative proceeding at the school.
A Title IX investigation can weigh heavily against those accused of sexual misconduct because of the reduced rights that they receive in these investigations compared to a criminal trial or even a civil trial. Because of the nature of these cases, if you are a college student who is facing sex crime charges, it is vital to have an advocate who can represent you in these investigations and defend you against unfair punishment or expulsion.
Reach Out To Our Sex Crimes Attorneys
Give yourself the benefit of legal counsel and representation. Contact a sex crime attorney from Barnhill Law Firm in Gatesville, Woodway, and Belton today at 254-379-9224.