Dallas Sexual Abuse Defense Lawyer
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
We understand that being accused of continuous sexual abuse a child can be frightening and frustrating, to say the least. It is extremely common to feel alone and isolated, not knowing who you can trust. Family members and friends are often torn, especially when the alleged victim is also a family member. You need to be able to turn to someone you know you can trust. You need an experienced and compassionate Dallas continuous sexual abuse of a child lawyer on your side.
Police, prosecutors, and courts take continuous sexual abuse of a child allegations very seriously. These carry incredibly harsh prison sentences. Moreover, a permanent criminal record and lifetime sex offender registration are the norm. What’s more, a sex crime accusation can negatively impact your family and future. Damage to your reputation and your career can be irreversible. Don’t put your life, family, and future in just anyone’s hands. When you’re facing all this, you need the best possible Dallas continuous sexual abuse of a child attorney in your corner.
Dallas Continuous Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been accused of continuous sexual abuse of a child in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas continuous sexual abuse of a child attorney Mike Howard has the experience, trial skills, and dedication that you need when you are fighting for your life. We will do everything we can to fight for you. Moreover, Mr. Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options.
A Different Kind of Lawyer
We approach our clients differently than a lot of lawyers. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of lawyer you’ve come to the right place.
Our Case Process
Listen & Understand
Open Communication
Fight for Justice
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
A person commits continuous sexual abuse of a child (Texas Penal Code § 21.02) if they commit 2 or more acts of sexual abuse. These acts must take place 30 days or more apart. For example, a prosecutor would charge two acts that occurred 31 days apart as 1 continuous sexual abuse charge. However, a prosecutor must charge 2 acts that occurred 29 days apart as 2 separate charges. The 2 acts can involve the same or different children. For a charge to qualify as continuous sexual abuse of a child, the actor must be 17 years of age or older and the alleged victim must be younger than 14 years old.
Sexual Abuse Defined
- Indecency with a child by contact (not including where the sexual contact is touching of the breast)
- Sexual assault of a child
- Aggravated sexual assault of a child
- Compelling Prostitution of a Child
- Trafficking of a Child
- Sexual Performance of a Child
- Aggravated Kidnapping (with the intent to inflict sexual abuse on a child
- Burglary of a Habitation (with the intent to commit certain offenses)
Related Offenses
Offenses alleging penetration of a child are charged as sexual assault of a child or aggravated sexual assault of a child. For more information, see our sexual assault of a child page and our aggravated sexual assault of a child page.
Offenses alleging touching (but not penetration) or exposure are charged as indecency with a child. For more information, see our indecency with a child page.
For more information about sex crimes generally, see our sex crimes page.
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.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Penalties
A continuous sex case is an aggravated first-degree felony. As a result, you could face a minimum of 25 – 99 years or life in prison and up toa $10,000 fine. Continuous sexual abuse cases are not eligible for parole, so any sentence must be served day-for-day. Of course, the serious consequences don’t stop there. A conviction for continuous sexual abuse of a child will require sex offender registration for life.
Defending Continuous Sexual Abuse Charges
Many people (and lawyers) think that someone accused of continuous sexual abuse of a child cannot get a fair trial. The thinking goes that people will want to believe and protect the child no matter what. Our experience in courtrooms – with multiple not guilty verdicts in cases with terrible accusations – tells us otherwise. While people do want to protect children, they also intuitively know that children sometimes make things up. Sometimes an adult in their life is pressuring or misleading them. The key to a successful defense is putting the burden and pressure back on the prosecutor.
The prosecutor must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails. As a result, the court must find you not guilty. This means you don’t have to prove that you didn’t do it. You don’t have to prove anything!
The only way the prosecution wins is if the jury believes their story is the only reasonable way it could’ve happened. If they have any reasonable doubts that it actually happened, they must find you not guilty. If they reasonably think it could’ve happened another way, they must find you not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented by a skilled Dallas continuous sexual abuse of a child attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for continuous sexual abuse of a child lawyers in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Attorneys are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.
First, talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case. Absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.
What Makes Mike Howard Different
Many lawyers take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach. A knowledgeable client is a happy client. Therefore, we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.
Visit Our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit Our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.
Dallas Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Attorney Mike Howard
Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas continuous sexual abuse of a child attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.
Client-Centered
The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals. I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, and their options. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.
Willing to Fight
Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court. I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas continuous sexual abuse of a child attorney has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.
A Proven Track Record
Dallas Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Lawyer
M.J. – Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Our client was accused by the daughter of an ex-girlfriend of multiple counts of indecency with a child. We were able to show the jury that all sorts of motive existed to make this story up and that no proof existed. The jury found M.J. Not Guilty.
R.S. – Indecency with a Child
Our client, who suffered from serious mental health issues, was accused of touching his sister. We were able to convince the grand jury to dismiss the case.
M.T. – Indecency with a Child By Contact
Our client was accused of repeatedly a child family member. He denied any wrongdoing all the way to trial. We were able to convince the jury that the prosecution just didn’t have enough evidence. Not Guilty.
E.I. – Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Our client was a college athlete who was accused by two underage family members of sexually assaulting them years prior. We were able to convince the prosecutor to dismiss all charges.
Awards and Accolades
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Disclaimer: The information here is not legal advice. Reading this site does not create an attorney-client relationship with Dallas continuous sexual abuse of a child lawyer Mike Howard. If you have a legal problem contact an attorney to get specific legal advice. Nothing on this site is intended to be legal advice or a substitute for legal advice.