Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available | Serving All of Texas
In cases like this, the accusation often becomes the case.
In Dallas, child sexual abuse allegations are treated as serious felonies, with potential penalties ranging from years in prison to life, along with mandatory sex offender registration and permanent damage to your reputation. And once you’re accused, everything changes.
These cases are often built on statements, interpretations, and how investigators frame the situation—not just physical evidence. What matters is whether the state can actually prove it.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we focus on breaking apart the prosecution’s case, challenging the evidence, and protecting your rights at every stage.
If you’re under investigation or have been charged, speak with an experienced Dallas criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Call (972) 528-0116 for a confidential consultation.
The actions you take in the next 48 hours will impact your case outcome:
⚠️ Critical: Texas law enforcement obtains warrants for electronic devices within 24-72 hours of an accusation.
Our legal team provides comprehensive defense from investigation through trial:
Texas Penal Code § 21.11 creates two offenses:
Lack of intent is a complete defense to exposure charges. In contact cases, we examine whether touching was sexual or innocent.
Texas Penal Code § 22.011 prosecutions depend on victim age:
| Age of Victim | Felony Degree | Prison Range | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | First-degree | 5-99 years or life | Lifetime, public |
| 14-16 | Second-degree | 2-20 years | Lifetime, public |
| Under 14 + aggravating factors | Enhanced first-degree | Minimum 25 years to life | Lifetime, public |
Defense Focus: False accusations often arise from custody disputes, teenage retaliation, or family pressure. We investigate motive and examine whether forensic interviews followed proper protocols.
Texas Penal Code § 33.021 criminalizes electronic communication with a minor with sexual intent. Penalties range from third-degree felony (2-10 years) to second-degree felony (2-20 years).
Common defenses include entrapment, lack of intent, and age misrepresentation. Visit our online solicitation of a minor lawyer page.
Prosecuted under Texas Penal Code § 43.26 and federal law 18 U.S.C. § 2252:
Defense issues include malware, peer-to-peer file sharing, and improper searches. Learn more at our child pornography defense lawyer page.
Prosecuted under Texas Penal Code § 22.011 when victim is under 17.
Romeo and Juliet Defense: Available if defendant was within 3 years of victim’s age, victim was 14+, and defendant wasn’t a registered sex offender. See our statutory rape defense lawyer page.
Texas Penal Code § 20A.02: First-degree felony with 5-99 years or life. Federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1591 carry 10-15 year minimums. Visit our sex trafficking defense page.
Child sexual abuse allegations often involve related charges including aggravated sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and child endangerment. Visit our child abuse defense page.
Mandatory Minimums:
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 62, conviction requires:
Civil Commitment Risk: Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 841, sexually violent offenders may face indefinite confinement after prison.
False accusations arise from custody disputes, teenage retaliation, family pressure, or suggestive interviewing. We investigate motive and analyze forensic interview protocols under Texas Family Code § 261.3031.
Many prosecutions lack physical evidence, DNA, photos, or contemporaneous outcry. We challenge witness credibility and examine inconsistencies between statements.
We file motions to suppress evidence obtained through:
We examine photo lineup procedures under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.20 for violations including simultaneous lineups, suggestive instructions, and witness reliability factors.
We retain certified computer forensic examiners to challenge:
After arrest, you’re transported to Lew Sterrett Justice Center (111 West Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75207). Booking takes 2-4 hours.
Bond Amounts in Dallas County (based on recent data):
| Charge | Average Bond | Most Common |
|---|---|---|
| Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child | $163,616 | $100,000 |
| Continuous Sexual Abuse of Child | $170,241 | $100,000 |
| Sexual Assault of Child | $75,000-$125,000 | $75,000 |
| Indecency with Child (Contact) | $50,000-$75,000 | $50,000 |
Bond release typically takes 4-12 hours after posting.
Once indicted, cases are assigned to one of Dallas County’s eight felony district courts at Frank Crowley Courts Building (133 N. Riverfront Boulevard):
203rd, 204th, 265th, 282nd, 283rd, 291st, 292nd, 363rd District Courts
The Dallas County DA’s Crimes Against Children Division (LB 19, Frank Crowley) prosecutes these cases with 17 attorneys and 12 investigators handling approximately 700 cases annually.
Arraignments occur at Frank Crowley Courts Building within 30 days of arrest (if in custody) or 1-3 weeks (if bonded). The judge reads charges, advises of rights, and you enter a plea. We recommend pleading not guilty in virtually all cases.
If the case proceeds to trial at Frank Crowley Courts Building, trials typically last 2-5 days and include jury selection, evidence presentation, and closing arguments. The jury must unanimously agree on guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy has defended clients in Dallas County since 2002. We’ve handled over 6,000 criminal cases across 16 counties with over 1,000 dismissals.
Our Dallas County Experience: We’ve represented clients in all eight Dallas County felony district courts and the seven Criminal District Courts. We know the prosecutors in the DA’s Crimes Against Children Division, the judges, and local procedures.
Counties We Serve: Dallas County (Irving, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite), Collin County (Plano, McKinney, Frisco), Denton County, Tarrant County (Fort Worth, Arlington), Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, and Parker Counties.
Our Defense Philosophy: We prepare every case for trial rather than pushing plea agreements when evidence supports fighting the charges.
Learn more at our Dallas criminal defense lawyer page.
Allegations like this don’t leave room for mistakes.
Trying to explain the situation on your own, reaching out to the wrong person, or handling things informally can create problems that are difficult to undo later.
You need to approach this carefully — and with the right defense in place.
At The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we’ve spent decades defending serious criminal charges across Dallas County. We focus on protecting your position from the start and handling these situations with the level of care they require.
📞 Call (972) 528-0116 now to speak directly with our office.
We’ll help you understand what matters right now — and how to move forward without making things worse.
Remain silent and contact a defense attorney immediately. Do not attempt to explain yourself to police, the accuser, or the accuser’s family. Document your whereabouts on the alleged dates and preserve all electronic evidence. Contact our Dallas office at (972) 528-0116.
Yes. We’ve secured dismissals in multiple Dallas County cases at various stages: before charges are filed, after arrest but before indictment, after indictment, and on the day of trial. Each case depends on its specific facts and evidence.
If convicted, yes. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 62, nearly all child sexual abuse convictions require sex offender registration. The only way to avoid registration is to avoid conviction through dismissal, not guilty verdict, or reduction to a non-registrable offense.
Timeline varies from 6 months to 2+ years depending on case complexity and whether the case goes to trial. Typical timeline: Investigation (2-12 weeks) → Arrest to Indictment (30-90 days) → Indictment to Trial (6-18 months) → Trial (2-5 days).
No. Exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Police can lie during interrogations, and anything you say can be used against you. Say only: “I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak to my attorney.” Then contact our Dallas office at (972) 528-0116.
Whether you're facing a felony charge or fighting a traffic ticket, every case deserves serious attention. Get an experienced defense team in your corner now.
