Continuous sexual abuse of a child is difficult to measure because much of this abuse goes undetected and unreported. Texas law reserves harsh punishment for offenders who sexually abuse children. The penalties are even more severe for those found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child.
You need an attorney who will stand up for your rights and fight to try to achieve a favorable outcome.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Defense Lawyer in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, TX
The laws concerning the sexual abuse of a child are complex. If you’re not well-versed in Texas law and familiar with its courts, it will be an uphill battle to represent yourself in court. The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today for a consultation about your alleged offense in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, and surrounding areas of Dallas County, Texas.
It’s crucial that you present a strong defense against these charges. If you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, you could be going to prison for a very long time. The accomplished sex crimes attorneys at the [firm] will fight to get you the best possible results.
Contact us today to set up a free consultation with one of our criminal defense attorneys.
What Are the Elements of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child?
The crime of continuous sexual abuse of a young child is defined by Texas Penal Code Section 21.02. A child is defined as any person 17 years old or younger. The following elements must be proven for a suspected abuser (or “actor”) to be convicted of continuously sexually abusing a child:
- The actor is at least 17 years of age and the victim is younger than 14 years of age;
- The actor commits two or more acts of sexual abuse over a period of 30 days or more
It is not a valid defense that the actor did not know the age of the victim. An actor can be charged under this statute whether the acts of abuse were committed against one or more victims.
What Are the Different Types of Sexual Abuse?
The statute governing continuous sexual abuse of a child contains a list of acts of sexual abuse. A person can be charged under this statute if they engaged in one of the following acts:
- Aggravated kidnapping with the intent to sexually abuse or violate the victim;
- Indecency with a child if the offense was committed in a manner other than touching the breast of a child;
- Sexual assault;
- Aggravated sexual assault;
- Burglary;
- Sexual performance by a child;
- Child sex trafficking; or
- Compelling prostitution
What Are the Penalties for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child?
Texas courts are not lenient toward those accused of sex crimes toward children. Continuous sexual abuse of a child is charged as a felony of the first degree.
If found guilty of this charge, you face a minimum prison sentence of 25 years in prison. The maximum sentence is 99 years or life in prison. The prospect of spending the rest of your life in prison is frightening enough, but the way child sex offenders are treated in prison is even scarier. Sex offenders are some of the primary targets of violence behind bars. There are many documented cases of child sex offenders being murdered in prison.
It is absolutely crucial that you speak to a knowledgeable sex crimes attorney before it’s too late. Your life may depend on it.
Additional Resources
Child Abuse in Texas | CACTX – The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas is a membership organization that represents children’s advocacy groups in the state of Texas. Visit this website to view annual statistics about child abuse, including child sexual abuse. According to CACTX, over 700,000 Texas children will be sexually abused by the age of 18.
Children and Teens: Statistics | RAINN – The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network is a nonprofit organization that focuses heavily on combating child sexual abuse. Visit this website to view data and graphs detailing the extent of sexual crimes committed against children. According to RAINN, about 93% of child sexual assaults are committed by someone the child knows.
Child Sexual Abuse Statistics | Office Of Victims of Crime – The Office Of Victims of Crime is a nonprofit organization that aims to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. Visit this link to read statistics about the sexual abuse of American children. Here you can also find links to additional sexual abuse resources provided by the Bureau of Justice and National Institute of Justice.
Find A Dallas County Defense Attorney for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Charges | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we believe that justice is blind. Everyone has the right to defend themselves against criminal accusations. Our dedicated sex crimes attorneys will fight to obtain the best possible results for you.
We have represented thousands of criminal cases since opening our firm in 2002. When you’re facing felony charges, you need someone who understands the local court system, the judges, and the regional politics. When possible, we will aim to dismiss the charges against you. Otherwise, we’ll work with the prosecution to negotiate a favorable resolution to your case. Contact the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today for a free consultation to discuss your case and call (972) 233-5700.