Dallas Sexual Assault of a Child Lawyer
Sexual Assault of a Child
Police, prosecutors, and courts take sexual assault of a child allegations incredibly seriously. As a result, the potential consequences of a sexual assault of a child case can be quite severe. Prosecutors often push aggressively for lengthy prison sentences. Moreover, even probation can leave you registering for the rest of your life as a sex offender. It goes without saying that aggravated sexual assault allegations can have a powerfully negative impact on you, your family, and your future. An experienced Dallas sexual assault of a child lawyer can help you avoid or lessen these very serious consequences.
Sexual assault and child abuse are, of course, very serious problems. It has become incredibly clear, however, that false allegations are an equally serious problem. It is absolutely vital to secure the best possible defense. This is true whether the allegation against you is false, a misunderstanding, or an unfortunate mistake. Don’t put your life, family, and future in just anyone’s hands. When it seems like the world is against you, you need the best possible Dallas sexual assault of a child attorney in your corner.
Dallas Sexual Assault of a Child Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been accused of sexual assault of a child in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas sexual assault of a child lawyer 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
Sexual Assault of a Child Charges in Dallas
A person commits sexual assault of a child (Texas Penal Code § 22.011) if they intentionally or knowingly:
- cause the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of a child by any means. OR
- cause the penetration of the mouth of a child by the sexual organ of the actor. OR
- cause the sexual organ of a child to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person. OR
- cause the anus of a child to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person. OR
- cause the mouth of a child to contact the anus or sexual organ of another person.
A child means a person younger than 17 years of age. If the alleged victim was 17 years old at the time of the offense, the charge would be sexual assault. Not knowing the age of the alleged victim is no defense under Texas law.
If the alleged victim is younger than 14 years of age, the offense becomes aggravated sexual assault of a child. For more information about aggravated sexual assault of a child, see our aggravated sexual assault of a child page.
The prosecutor can charge two or more accusations of sexual assault of a child younger than 14 years of age over a period that is 30 days or more in duration as continuous sexual abuse of a child or children. For more information about continuous sexual abuse of a child, see our continuous sexual abuse of 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.
Sexual Assault of a Child Penalties
A child sexual assault offense is generally a second-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If the alleged victim was younger than 14 years of age at the time of the offense, the charge becomes aggravated sexual assault of a child. Aggravated sexual assault of a child is generally a first-degree felony. As a result, you could face 5 – 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Of course, the serious consequences don’t stop there. A conviction or deferred adjudication for sexual assault of a child will require sex offender registration for life. A felony conviction will also make you temporarily ineligible to vote.
Defending Sexual Assault of a Child Charges
Many people (and lawyers) think that someone accused of sexual assault 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 of 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 sexual assault of a child attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Sexual Assault of a Child Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for sexual assault 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 Sexual Assault 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 sexual assault 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 sexual assault of a child attorney has a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it can make all the difference in the world.
A Proven Track Record
Dallas Sexual Assault of a Child Lawyer
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.
L.M. – Sexual Assault of a Child
Our client was a teenage boy who had consensual sex with a girl at a party. When her parents found out she claimed rape. We were able to fully investigate and convince the detective to reject 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.
M.J. – Continuous Sexual Abuse
Our client was accused by the daughter of an ex-girlfriend of repeatedly abusing her. 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.
J.C. – Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Our client was young and had no record. The prosecutor was looking to send him to prison for decades. We were able to avoid a conviction and get him deferred probation.
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 sexual assault 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.