A sexual offense accusation moves through a family, a job, and a community long before a court ever hears the case. That reality does not decide guilt, and it does not decide what happens next.
A Texas sexual offenses lawyer defends people accused of crimes such as indecency with a child, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault under the Texas Penal Code. These charges range from a Class B misdemeanor up to a first-degree felony with a possible life sentence, depending on the specific offense and the facts involved.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy defends people across Texas against sexual offense charges, from the first investigative contact through trial.
Call (972) 233-5700 for a free consultation with the attorney handling the case directly, not a paralegal.
How Can the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy Help With a Sexual Offense Charge?
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy has defended Texans against criminal charges since 2002. Richard C. McConathy holds over 35 years courtroom experience.
The firm has handled more than 6,000 criminal cases and over 1,000 dismissals, including sex crime allegations that carry some of the highest stakes in the Texas justice system.
A person who calls the firm speaks directly with the attorney assigned to the case, not a paralegal fielding intake calls. That attorney reviews the police report, the forensic evidence, and the accuser's statements personally before mapping out next steps.
What a Case Review Looks Like Early On
An early review focuses on what the state can actually prove, not just what was alleged. The attorney checks the timeline, the interview transcripts, and whether proper procedure was followed at every stage.
Free consultations are available 24/7 since these calls rarely come during standard business hours. No attorney at the firm promises a specific outcome before reviewing the full file, since every case turns on its own facts.
What Charges Fall Under Texas Sexual Offenses Law?
Texas sexual offense law covers a range of charges under Penal Code Chapter 21 and Penal Code Chapter 22, from a misdemeanor exposure charge to a first-degree felony.
The classification depends on the specific act alleged, the age of the accuser, and whether contact occurred.
| Charge | Typical Classification | Potential Prison or Jail Time | Fine |
| Indecent exposure | Class B misdemeanor | Up to 180 days in jail | Up to $2,000 |
| Indecency with a child (exposure) | Third-degree felony | 2 to 10 years | Up to $10,000 |
| Indecency with a child (contact) | Second-degree felony | 2 to 20 years | Up to $10,000 |
| Sexual assault | Second-degree felony in most cases | 2 to 20 years | Up to $10,000 |
| Aggravated sexual assault | First-degree felony | 5 to 99 years or life | Up to $10,000 |
| Continuous sexual abuse of a child | First-degree felony with a 25-year minimum | 25 to 99 years or life | Up to $10,000 |
| Online solicitation of a minor | Third-degree felony in most cases | 2 to 10 years | Up to $10,000 |
These ranges shift based on prior convictions, the accuser's age, and whether a deadly weapon was involved.
What Happens After a Sex Crime Arrest in Texas?
A sex crime arrest in Texas moves through several court stages, starting before any trial date gets set. Each stage gives the defense an opportunity to review evidence and raise procedural issues.
- Booking and bail hearing: The court sets conditions for release pending trial.
- Arraignment: The charge gets read aloud and an initial plea gets entered.
- Discovery: The defense receives police reports, forensic results, and witness statements.
- Pretrial motions: The defense may challenge evidence or procedure before trial.
- Trial or negotiated resolution: The case ends through a plea agreement or a court decision.
Sex crime cases can involve forensic evidence, forensic interviews, and expert witnesses that take months to fully review.
Which Texas Court Handles a Sexual Offense Case?
A felony sexual offense case in Texas goes to a district court, not a county or municipal court. Texas district courts hold exclusive jurisdiction over felony cases under Texas Government Code Chapter 24. A county court or county court at law handles lower-level misdemeanor sex offenses, like indecent exposure.
Before a felony sexual offense case reaches trial, a grand jury reviews the evidence and decides whether to issue an indictment. This step happens under Texas Constitution Article I, Section 10, before any felony case in Texas may proceed to trial.
A grand jury proceeding happens privately, and the accused generally has no right to present evidence during that stage.
Many of the larger counties across North Texas, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton, staff dedicated units inside the district attorney's office. These units focus specifically on crimes against children and sexual offense cases.
Where Sexual Offense Cases Get Heard in North Texas
| Charge Level | Court Type | Example Courts in North Texas |
| Class B misdemeanor (indecent exposure) | County court or county court at law | Dallas County Criminal Courts, Tarrant County Criminal Courts, Collin County Court at Law |
| Second- or third-degree felony (indecency with a child, most sexual assault charges) | District court | Dallas County Criminal District Courts, Tarrant County Criminal District Courts, Denton County District Courts |
| First-degree felony (aggravated sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse of a child) | District court | Dallas County Criminal District Courts, Collin County District Courts, Denton County District Courts |
District courts across North Texas assign each felony sexual offense case to a specific court and judge early on. That assignment rarely changes once made.
Attorneys at the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy have appeared in front of these felony district courts across North Texas. That familiarity with local procedure and personnel shapes how the firm prepares each case.
Court assignment and prosecutor unit structure vary by county. A case filed in one North Texas county may move through pretrial stages differently than the same charge filed in a neighboring county.
That difference is one more reason a lawyer familiar with the specific county's courts brings real value to a sexual offense defense.
Will a Sex Crime Conviction Require Sex Offender Registration in Texas?
Most sexual offense convictions in Texas require registration under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 62, and the length of that registration depends on the specific offense. Some convictions require registration for ten years, while others require it for life.
- Ten-year registration applies to certain lower-level offenses without aggravating factors.
- Lifetime registration applies to offenses such as aggravated sexual assault and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
- Deferred adjudication may still trigger a registration duty in Texas, even without a final conviction.
- Registration details, including address and employer information, become part of a public database maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Registration status affects housing, employment, and where a person may legally live for years after a case closes.
What Should Someone Do If They Learn They're Under Investigation for a Sex Crime?
A person who learns they are under investigation for a sex crime in Texas should slow down and involve a lawyer before answering any questions. What happens in these early conversations shapes the entire case that follows.
- Decline to give a statement to police or investigators without a lawyer present.
- Avoid contact with the accuser or anyone connected to the allegation.
- Preserve records, including texts, emails, and social media messages related to the accuser.
- Write down a timeline of relevant events while memory is still fresh.
- Stay off social media entirely regarding the accusation or the people involved.
How Much Does a Texas Sexual Offenses Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a sexual offenses lawyer in Texas depends on the felony level, the amount of forensic evidence involved, and whether the case proceeds to trial. A misdemeanor exposure case and a first-degree felony case require very different amounts of attorney time.
- Charge severity, since a first-degree felony typically demands far more preparation than a misdemeanor.
- Forensic complexity, including DNA evidence, forensic interviews, or digital evidence review.
- Expert witnesses, who may need to review evidence or testify at trial.
- Case length, since a case resolved before trial generally costs less than a full jury trial.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy reviews these factors during a free consultation before naming a fee. Calling (972) 233-5700 early gives a person a realistic sense of cost before any commitment gets made.
FAQs for the Sexual Offenses Lawyers at the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Is sexual assault a felony in Texas?
Yes, sexual assault is a felony in Texas. It is generally charged as a second-degree felony, though certain factors involving the victim's age or relationship to the accused may raise it to a first-degree felony.
Do you have to register as a sex offender in Texas if you're only charged, not convicted?
No, an arrest alone does not create a registration duty. Registration under Texas law generally follows a conviction or a deferred adjudication, not a pending charge.
Can a sex crime charge in Texas be dropped before trial?
Yes, a sex crime charge may be dropped before trial if the prosecutor determines the evidence does not support a conviction, or if the defense successfully challenges key evidence during pretrial motions.
What's the difference between indecency with a child and sexual assault of a child in Texas?
Indecency with a child covers exposure or non-penetrative contact, while sexual assault of a child involves specific acts defined more narrowly under Penal Code Chapter 22, carrying a higher felony level.
How long does a sex crime investigation take in Texas?
Investigation length varies widely. A case with forensic testing or a forensic interview of a child witness often takes several months before a prosecutor decides whether to file formal charges.
What is the statute of limitations for a sex crime in Texas?
It depends on the offense. Under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 12.01, many sexual offenses against a child carry no statute of limitations, while sexual assault of an adult generally must be charged within ten years.
Can a sex crime conviction in Texas be expunged or sealed?
Not usually. Texas law generally does not allow an order of nondisclosure for sex offense convictions that carry a registration duty, and expungement typically applies only to cases that end in dismissal or acquittal.
Will a sex crime charge show up on a background check before conviction?
Yes. An arrest record for a sex crime may appear on a standard background check even before any conviction, since arrest records are often public unless later sealed or expunged.
Can someone be charged with a sex crime in Texas without physical evidence?
Yes, it is possible. Under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.07, a conviction for certain sexual offenses may rest on the accuser's testimony alone under specific conditions, without additional physical evidence.
Talk to a Texas Sexual Offenses Lawyer Before You Say Anything Else
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy reviews the accusation, the evidence, and the charging decision directly with the attorney assigned to the case.
Call (972) 233-5700 now for a free, confidential consultation before speaking with anyone else about the allegation. We are available 24/7.