In the state of Texas, child sex crimes are taken extremely seriously. Lawmakers, prosecutors, and judges are extremely strict on individuals who have been found guilty of sexually assaulting children, and the charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child is one of the most severe crimes that can be committed in this category. If an individual is found guilty of sexually abusing a child multiple times over the time span of 30 (or more) days, they may wind up facing life behind bars and never experiencing life in a normal manner ever again.
Lawmakers and law enforcement officers have a duty to keep communities safe, especially the children who make up our neighborhoods, schools, churches, and playgrounds. These precious kids are the future of our community, and everyone must do what they can to protect them while guiding them in the right direction. If someone is guilty of sexually abusing a child in Tarrant County, they are typically seen as a threat to society. While it is important to make sure that children are protected, it is also important to remember that sending an innocent individual to life behind bars is unacceptable.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Defense Lawyer | Ft Worth, Arlington, Grapevine, Southlake, TX
If you have been charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, you may be wondering how you can defend yourself against your current charges. If you believe in your innocence but you need a criminal defense attorney to help you with your case, we have the resources you will need to present your defense in a coherent, collective manner. Serving Dallas, Denton, Collin, McKinney, Fort Worth, Garland, Rockwall, and many other cities in the state of Texas and its surrounding areas, our team of professionals is ready to help you with your criminal case. We have years of criminal case wins under our belt, and we are confident in our ability to help you with your charges.
Continuous sexual abuse of a child is a very serious crime that cannot be ignored, but it can be beaten with the help of the right criminal defense attorney. Make sure you hire your defense attorney as soon as possible; failure to do this can cause you to miss the precious time that could have been spent dissecting your case and figuring out the best possible defense. For more information on how we can help you, call us today at (817) 422-5350 to receive a consultation from a member of our team.
Definition of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Texas Penal Code § 21.02 provides a definition of continuous sexual abuse. According to the penal code, this crime takes place when an offender that is 17 years of age or older commits two more acts of sexual abuse or violence over a period of 30 or more days against a victim that is 14 years old or younger. Texas statutes consider sexual abuse to be any of the following acts:
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Indecency with a child
- Child sex trafficking
- Sexual performance by a child
- Compelling prostitution
- Aggravated kidnapping with the intent to sexually abuse or violate the victim
Penalties for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
There are severe consequences of being convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child. This crime is considered to be a first-degree felony in the state of Texas, and it can absolutely cause you to spend the rest of your life in prison. Individuals convicted of this crime will face a minimum prison sentence of 25 years.
There are many other collateral consequences of this crime. If you are one of the lucky ones who are not sentenced to life in prison, you will face an uphill battle upon benign released from prison. Individuals convicted of this crime struggle with reintegrating themselves back into society. They typically lose their rights to vote and have trouble finding residence or employment. Any job involving children is off-limits, and certain houses and homes will not be allowed to you, depending on their proximity to a school or daycare.
Perhaps the biggest consequence of this crime lies within the court of public opinion. Individuals who are convinced of sex crimes have an extremely hard time gaining the respect and trust of individuals around them. Family members and friends you used to have may no longer be open to maintaining a close relationship with you because of this conviction. If you believe in your innocence and think these charges can be disputed, it is important you call a criminal defense attorney right away. Failure to do so can potentially lead to a wrongful conviction that may place you behind bars for the rest of your life.
Additional Resources for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child in Tarrant County, Texas
Alliance for Children – This link takes you to the official website of Alliance for Children, a children’s advocacy center serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County since 1992. This nonprofit organization has numerous centers in the DFW area, and its mission is to protect all children from child abuse. On their website, you can learn more about their history, donate to their cause, or report abuse.
CASA: Tarrant County – This link takes you to the website of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Tarrant County. This organization is made up of a group of volunteer advocates who provide support to children who have suffered from abuse and neglect. On their website, you can learn information about their events, learn how you can get involved with their mission, or donate to their causes.
Find A Tarrant County Defense Attorney for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Continuous sexual abuse of a child is a crime that can potentially place you behind bars for the rest of your life. It is so important to understand the penalties surrounding this crime, but it is also important to make sure you have a criminal defense attorney on your side once you are made aware of your charges. The laws surrounding this crime can be extremely confusing, but if you have a criminal defense attorney on your side, you will be able to have a much better understanding of your charges and their potential consequences.
Our team of professionals is ready to help you with your legal matters. Serving Plano, Frisco, Garland, Fort Worth, Denton, Dallas, and many other surrounding cities of Tarrant County, the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy provides individuals with premier legal representation that can help them defend or reduce their charges. For more information on how we can provide you with legal counsel, contact us today at (817) 422-5350 to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.