Our Criminal Case Process
Listen & Understand
We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.
Open Communication
We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.
Fight for Justice
Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.
Types of Sexual Assault Offenses in Texas
Dallas sex crimes defense lawyer Mike Howard explains the most common sex crimes charges and what they require the prosecutor to prove.
Sexual Assault
A person commits sex assault (Texas Penal Code § 22.011) if they intentionally or knowingly penetrate, or cause to be penetrated, the mouth, sexual organs, or anus of another person without that person’s consent. Sexual assault is sometimes commonly referred to as rape or statutory rape, and heightened offenses are charged as aggravated sexual assault. For more information about sexual assault charges in Dallas, see our sexual assault page.
Indecent Assault
A person commits indecent assault (Texas Penal Code § 22.012) if, with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, they:
- touch the anus, breast, or the genitals of another person
- touch another person with the anus, breast or genitals of any person
- exposes or attempts to expose another person’s genitals, pubic area, anus, buttocks, or female areola, or
- causes another person to contact the blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, saliva, urine, or feces of any person
For more information about indecent assault charges in Dallas, see our indecent assault page.
Invasive Visual Recording
A person commits invasive visual recording if, without the other person’s consent and with the intent to invade the privacy of the other person, they:
- photograph or by videotape or other electronic means records, broadcast, or transmit a visual image of an intimate area of another person if the other person has a reasonable expectation that the intimate area is not subject to public view;
- photograph or by videotape or other electronic means records, broadcast, or transmit a visual image of another in a bathroom or changing room; or
- knowing the character and content of the photograph, recording, broadcast, or transmission promotes a photograph, recording, broadcast, or transmission described in the above two descriptions.
These cases used to be called improper photography until that law was held unconstitutional. For more information about invasive visual recording charges in Dallas, see our invasive visual recording page.
Child Sexual Abuse Offenses
Dallas sex crimes lawyer Mike Howard explains the most common child abuse-related sex crimes charges and what the prosecutor most prove in each.
Sexual Assault of a Child
A person commits child sexual assault (Texas Penal Code § 22.011) if they commit sexual assault (above) against a child between the ages of 14-17. For more information about the sexual assault of a child charges in Dallas, see our sexual assault of a child page.
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
A person commits aggravated child sexual assault (Texas Penal Code § 22.021) if they commit sexual assault (above) against a child younger than 14 years old or if the commit sexual assault of a child 14-17 years of age plus one of the aggravating factors discussed above.
Indecency with a Child By Contact
A person commits indecency with a child by contact (Texas Penal Code § 21.11) if they engage in sexual contact with a child younger than 17 years old or cause a child younger than 17 years old to engage in sexual contact. For more information about indecency with a child by contact charges in Dallas, see our indecency with a child by contact page.
Indecency with a Child By Exposure
A person commits indecency with a child by exposure (Texas Penal Code § 21.11) if, with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, they expose their anus or any part of the person’s genitals knowing a child younger than 17 years old is present, or cause a child younger than 17 years old to expose the child’s anus or any part of the child’s genitals.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
A person commits continuous sexual abuse of a child (Texas Penal Code § 21.02) if, during a period that is more than 30 days in duration, they commit two or more acts of sexual abuse against one or more victims.
Possession of Child Pornography
A person commits possession of child pornography (also commonly referred to as child porn) (Texas Penal Code § 43.26) if they intentionally or knowingly possess or intentionally accesses, with the intent to view, material that visually depicts a child under the age of 18 engaging in sexual conduct and the accused person knows the material depicts a child under the age of 18. For more information about possession of child pornography charges in Dallas, see our child pornography charges page.
Promotion of Child Pornography
A person can be charged with the promotion of child pornography (Texas Penal Code § 43.26) if they promote or possess with the intent to promote child pornography and they know the person depicted in the material is a child. For more information about the promotion of child pornography charges in Dallas, see our child pornography charges page.
Sexual Performance of a Child
A person commits sexual performance of a child (Texas Penal Code § 43.25) if, knowing the character and content thereof, he employs, authorizes, or induces a child younger than 18 years of age to engage in sexual conduct or sexual performance. For more information about sexual performance of a child charges in Dallas, see our sexual performance of a child page.
Also, see our child abuse offenses page.
Public Nudity Offenses in Texas
Often public nudity offenses turn out to be innocent, accidental, or police harassment, but public nudity offenses can carry serious consequences and even require the accused to register as a sex offender.
Indecent Exposure
A person can be charged with indecent exposure (Texas Penal Code § 21.08) if they exposes their anus or any part of their genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person and is reckless about whether another person who is present who will be offended or alarmed. Indecent exposure offenses are Class B misdemeanors exposing the person to up to 180 days in the county jail and a fine of up to $2,000. For more information about indecent exposure charges in Dallas, see our indecent exposure page.
Public Lewdness
A person can be charged with public lewdness (Texas Penal Code § 21.07) if they knowingly engage in sexual acts in a public place or, if not in a public place, is reckless about whether another person who is present will be offended or alarmed. Public lewdness offenses are Class A misdemeanors exposing the person to up to 365 days in the county jail and a fine of up to $4,000. For more information about public lewdness charges in Dallas, see our public lewdness page.
Prostitution Offenses in Texas
Prostitution
A person can be charged with prostitution (Texas Penal Code § 43.02) if they knowingly:
- offers or agrees to receive a fee from another to engage in sexual conduct
- offers or agrees to pay a fee to another person for engaging in sexual conduct
Prostitution offenses can be classified as anything from a Class B misdemeanor up to a second-degree felony, depending on the facts of the case and to what extent the accused person has a history of prostitution convictions.
Acting as what is commonly referred to as a pimp could get a person charged with promotion of prostitution, aggravated promotion of prostitution, online promotion of prostitution, aggravated online promotion of prostitution, or compelling prostitution. These offenses range from third-degree up to first-degree felonies. Our Dallas prostitution lawyers have experience dealing with these charges and are here to help.
Resources and Information
See our criminal defense resource center for more information on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more.
Visit our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.
Sex Offender Registration in Texas
Convictions or even deferred probation for many sex crimes will require a person to register as a sex offender. This forces the person to register with their local law enforcement agency. Further, they must update that registration yearly and notify law enforcement before they move their residence. Moreover, sex offenders are also restricted from living in certain places, such as close to schools and other places children go. Make sure to consult a knowledgeable Dallas sex crimes attorney to fully understand your case and situation.
Some offenses, like any sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child by contact, require sex offender registration for life. Other offenses require registration for the period of the sentence (of jail or probation) plus 10 years. It is vitally important to consult an experienced Dallas sex crimes attorney to determine what you or your loved one may face in terms of sex offender registration requirements.
