Denton Sexual Assault Attorney

Denton County Sexual Assault Lawyer Serving Denton

The criminal justice system is very tough when it comes to sex offenses, especially in Texas. Society expects everyone involved with the justice system to be aggressive and ruthless towards those who are convicted of, or even accused of, sex crimes. It is for this reason that anyone who is found guilty of such a crime usually faces harsh punishments both in and out of prison and is required to register as a sex offender. Even if the accused person is found not guilty, they have likely lost friends or even family over simply being suspected of a sexual offense. And this is why it is exceedingly important to hire an experienced Denton sexual assault attorney to minimize the damage to the individual and ensure the accused does not face any overly-harsh punishments by the justice system.

If you have been accused, call our Denton sexual assault lawyers at 940-382-1976 and schedule a free consultation to protect your future.

Sexual Assault Penalties in Texas

Sexual assault charges may apply in situations where a person is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse or other types of sexual conduct without receiving consent. These charges can vary in severity depending on the types of sexual conduct that allegedly occurred, the age of the alleged victim, and whether a person allegedly used force or threats. Some seemingly consensual acts may lead to accusations of date rape, and in some situations, a person may even be charged with aggravated sexual assault.

A conviction of a sexual offense in Texas will change your entire course of life, since you will now have to cope with:

• potential prison time
• fines
• sex offender registration
• stress
• loss of friends, family, job, and reputation
• loss of future opportunities and freedom

Though some sexual offenses are not violent or do not result in serious damage to others, almost all such offenses are viewed by the public as equal. For example, society does not differentiate between someone who was convicted of public lewdness and someone who was convicted of rape – both are classed as sex offenders. However, society distinguishes between a person is convicted of theft versus someone convicted of aggravated assault. This is what makes an accusation of a sex crime so dangerous – society lumps all sex offenders into the same "level", and pressures the justice system to do the same.

Registering as a Sex Offender in Texas

If convicted of a sex crime in Texas, a person is generally required to register in the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program.

Registering as a sex offender informs local law enforcement of the following information about the individual:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Race
• Home Address
• A recent color photograph
• A complete set of fingerprints
• Type of offense
• Age of victim
• Sentence
• Employment information
• All (if any) online aliases used

Many adults who have registered as a sex offender will remain registered for the rest of their lives, leading to difficulty finding a place to live, getting a job, and forming and maintaining relationships with other people.

Expungement for Sexual Assault in TX

It is possible in Texas to allow for an offender's record to be sealed, provided the offender meets certain requirements.

Factors for expungement include:

• If the sex crime was a minor offense that did not involve violence and occurred many years ago.
• If the victim was at least 15 years old and the offender was no more than 4 years older at the time of the crime.
• If the offense was consensual.
• If the defendant passes an individual risk assessment and petitions the court for early termination.

Contact Our Denton County Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys

If you have been accused of sexual assault or any other sexual offenses, you will need strong representation by a skilled criminal defense attorney. At Magaña & Van Dyke, we can advise you on the best steps you can take to protect your reputation and your freedom. Contact us today and set up a free consultation by calling 940-382-1976.