Dallas Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer
Sexual Assault
Police, prosecutors, and courts take sexual assault allegations very seriously. Often commonly referred to as rape or statutory rape, sexual assault charges can result in serious consequences. First, prosecutors often push for lengthy prison sentences and large fines. Moreover, you could face with sex offender registration and a lasting criminal record. These allegations can have an incredibly negative impact on you, your family, and your future. An experienced Dallas sexual assault lawyer can help you avoid or lessen these very serious consequences.
Sexual assault is, of course, a very serious problem. It has become incredibly clear, however, that false allegations are an equally serious problem. In this day and age of the #MeToo and #TimesUp, we are seeing more sexual assault allegations than ever. 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 attorney in your corner.
Dallas Sexual Assault Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been accused of sexual assault in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas sexual assault 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 Charges in Dallas
A person commits sexual assault (Texas Penal Code § 22.011) if they intentionally or knowingly
- cause the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another person without their consent. This can be by any means.
- cause the penetration of the mouth of another person by the sexual organ of the actor, without the person’s consent. OR
- cause the sexual organ of another person, without that person’s consent, to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person.
Consent
Lack of consent can be proven in a number of ways. The most common are:
- the actor compels the other person to submit or participate by use of force, violence, or coercion.
- the actor compels the other person to submit or participate by threatening to use force. This also includes threats to cause harm. This requires that the other person believes the actor has the ability to execute the threat.
- the person has not consented and the actor knows the other person is unconscious or physically unable to resist.
- the actor has give the person a “date rape drug” to impair their ability to consent.
Sex assault offenses in Texas require penetration. People often mistakenly call unwanted touching sex assault. Under Texas law, however, unwanted touching falls under the offense of indecent assault. For more information about indecent assault, see our indecent assault page. See our aggravated sexual assault page for more information about aggravated sexual assault charges.
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 Penalties & Consequences
A 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. Of course, the serious consequences don’t stop there. A conviction or deferred adjudication for sexual assault will require sex offender registration for life. A sexual assault conviction will make you a convicted felony. As a result, you could become ineligible to vote as well as own or possess a firearm. Most importantly, a record for sexual assault will negatively impact your family, future employment, and personal reputation.
Sexual assault of a child can be either a second-degree or a first-degree felony, depending on several factors. Aggravated sexual assault is generally a first-degree felony. For more information about sexual assault of a child, see our sexual assault of a child page.
Defending Sexual Assault Charges in Dallas
First and foremost, 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 attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Sexual Assault Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for sexual assault 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 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 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 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 Sex Crimes Lawyer
L.M. – Sexual Assault
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.
C.L. – Sexual Assault
Our client was a college student who was wrongly accused of holding a girl against her will and repeatedly raping her. We fully investigated and were able to completely blow her false story out of the water. The grand jury dismissed all charges.
F.S. – Sexual Assault
Our client was accused by his ex-wife of raping her. He denied it and maintained it was consensual. We fought for F.S. in court and the jury found him 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.
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 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.