Sexual Performance of a Child
We understand that being accused of sexual performance of 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. You need to be able to turn to someone you know you can trust. You need an experienced and compassionate Dallas sexual performance of a child defense lawyer on your side.
Police, prosecutors, and courts take sexual performance of a child allegations very seriously. These carry incredibly harsh prison sentences. Moreover, 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 sexual performance of a child defense attorney in your corner.
Dallas Sexual Performance of a Child Defense Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been accused of sexual performance of a child in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas sexual performance of a child defense 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
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.
Sexual Performance of a Child Charges in Dallas
First, a person commits sexual performance of a child (Texas Penal Code § 43.25) if they employ, authorize, or induce a child younger than 18 years of age to engage in sexual conduct or a sexual performance. For it to be a crime, the actor has to know “the content and character” of the sexual conduct or performance. Second, a parent or legal guardian or custodian commits a sexual performance of a child if they consent to the participation of the child in a sexual performance. Third, a person can commit sexual performance of a child if the person produces, directs, or promotes a performance that includes sexual conduct of a child younger than 18 years of age. For this third offense type, the person has to “know the content and character” of the material.
Important Terms Defined
Sexual Performance” means any play, motion picture, photograph, dance, or other visual representation that can be exhibited before an audience of one or more than one person that includes sexual conduct of a child younger than 18 years of age.
Sexual conduct” means contact, actual or simulated sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, sexual bestiality, masturbation, sado-masochistic abuse, or lewd exhibition of the genitals, the anus, or any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola.
Related Offenses
See our sex crimes page for more information on other types of sexual offenses. For information about child pornography charges, see our child pornography 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 Performance of a Child Penalties
Sexual performance of a child for employing, authorizing, or inducing is a second-degree felony. As a result, you can face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If the alleged victim is younger than 14 years of age at the time the offense is committed, however, it is a first-degree felony. As a result, you can face 5 – 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Sexual performance of a child for producing, directing, or promoting is a third-degree felony. As a result, you can face 2 – 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If the alleged victim is younger than 14 years of age at the time the offense is committed, however, it is a second-degree felony. As a result, you can face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Defending Sexual Performance of a Child
Many people (and lawyers) think that someone accused of sexual performance 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 sexual performance of a child defense attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Sexual Performance of a Child Defense Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for sexual performance of a child defense 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 client’s 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, 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 client’s 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 Performance 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 performance of a child defense 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 performance of a child defense attorney has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.
