Sex Crimes

Corpus Christi Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

An allegation involving a sex crime can shatter your life in an instant. Texas prosecutors move swiftly, gathering witness statements, electronic records, and police reports to build a case against you. 

A Corpus Christi sex crimes defense attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC can challenge the state’s evidence and fight to protect your rights. When your future hangs in the balance, Barrett Legal PLLC can make a decisive difference in the outcome of your case.

Now or in the future, if you are charged with a sex crime in the Corpus Christi area, call Barrett Legal PLLC at 361-542-4295 to discuss your case with an aggressive Corpus Christi sex crimes defense lawyer.

Understanding Sex Crime Classifications

Local courts treat every sex crime allegation with unyielding scrutiny. State laws govern a range of prohibited conduct, including non-consensual sexual acts, alleged exploitation of a child or minor, and public indecency.

An offense like indecent exposure is a Class B misdemeanor. A convicted offender can serve up to 180 days in jail. Soliciting prostitution is a state jail felony charge, but it becomes a second-degree felony if the allegation involves a minor.

Sexual Assault

Under Texas state law, sexual assault involves non-consensual sexual penetration or contact through force, threats, or taking advantage of an incapacitated person. Sexual assault is usually charged as a second-degree felony. A conviction can result in the offender being imprisoned for 2 to 20 years.

Aggravated Sexual Assault

Aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony, is one of the most serious sex crime charges. Texas prosecutors apply this charge when a sexual assault involves serious bodily injury, the threat of deadly force, a victim under 14 years of age, or the use of a dangerous weapon.

A conviction for aggravated sexual assault carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years. In the most egregious cases, offenders can receive a life sentence.

Crimes Involving Children

Convictions for child pornography or online solicitation are penalized harshly. State and federal police agencies conduct detailed investigations into electronic devices, IP addresses, and digital distribution networks. Charges of indecency with a child or continuous sexual abuse of a child are serious felony charges. Individuals convicted of these crimes can expect to spend decades in prison.

Sex Offender Registration

A conviction for most sex crimes determines where you can live and work. Under Texas state law, persons convicted of certain sex crimes must comply with strict sex offender registration guidelines, including regular check-ins with local law enforcement, notifications to neighbors, and strict limits on residential proximity to schools, parks, and daycares.

Prospective employers frequently reject an applicant listed as a sex offender, and property managers routinely deny lease requests. Failure to comply with sex offender registration rules is a separate felony charge.

Can You Expunge a Sex Crime Record?

Texas law establishes strict limits on expunging and sealing the records of sex offenses. Texas does not expunge sex crime convictions or deferred adjudications. Once a conviction or deferred adjudication enters the court system, it remains permanently visible on background checks. Expungement of sex offense arrest records is permitted only under specific legal circumstances:

  1. No charge was filed, or you were charged, but the case was dismissed before trial.
  2. You went to trial, and you were found not guilty.
  3. A court reopened your case after a conviction and issued a finding of actual innocence.
  4. You received an official pardon from the President of the United States or the Texas Governor.
  5. An identity thief committed or was charged with a sex offense under your stolen identity.

Expungement of sex crime records is rare in Texas, so avoiding a sex crime prosecution is the most effective way to protect your reputation and career. In some cases, if you’re under investigation for a sex crime, a Corpus Christi sex crimes defense attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC can intervene and negotiate with the prosecutor before any charge is filed.

How Will Your Attorney Help?

At Barrett Legal PLLC, we conduct detailed sex crime investigations to discover facts that police officers may have overlooked or ignored. We analyze every piece of evidence, including medical records, text messages, and physical evidence. We evaluate witness credibility, highlight inconsistencies in witness statements, and determine whether the police violated your constitutional rights.

Our familiarity with the local courts provides our clients with a distinct advantage. We know how local prosecutors assess charges and how judges conduct trial proceedings. We seek reduced penalties, pretrial diversions, or a complete dismissal of charges.

If a prosecutor will not negotiate in good faith, a Corpus Christi sex crimes defense lawyer at Barrett Legal PLLC can defend you aggressively and effectively at trial. If you’re charged with a sex crime in the Corpus Christi area, now or in the future, you must act immediately. Call Barrett Legal PLLC at 361-542-4295 to learn more and schedule your first meeting with a Texas sex crimes attorney.