Persons accused of sexual assault can expect to face equal treatment by the criminal justice system as persons accused of murder. If you were accused of sexual assault, you’ll need the talents of a criminal defense attorney with experience defending persons accused of sex crimes to get the best idea of your legal options in light of the circumstances of your particular case.
In Texas, there are two basic criminal charges for rape, which are sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault.
Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault is the term mainly used to describe the criminal act of rape. Rape is a serious criminal offense that normally occurs between a man and a woman; however, some cases involve male on male rape and pedophilia.
The crime of sexual assault can occur between people who are in a consensual relationship, or between two strangers. The offense doesn’t require sexual intercourse or contact between sexual organs to warrant criminal charges.
A man can touch a woman’s breast by either mistake or intent and find themselves facing felony charges.
Aggravated Sexual Assault
An aggravated sexual assault case is a more serious criminal offense than sexual assault as it adds the element of a weapon, a threat of death, a threat or the carrying out of violence, or the taking advantage of a defenseless person like a child or senior citizen.
Aggravated sexual assault is a serious felony which can net a life sentence if the defendant is convicted.
Criminal Penalties for Sexual Assault
2ND DEGREE FELONY
If you’re arrested by police and charged with sexual assault, you’ll face prosecution for a 2nd Degree Felony offense which carries a maximum fine of 10,000.00 with a potential jail term that can range from 2 to 20 years in prison.
1ST DEGREE FELONY
1st Degree Felony charges will apply if a person is charged with aggravated sexual assault by law enforcement. The penalties include a potential fine of up to 10,000.00 in addition to a prison term that ranges from 5 to 99 years in a TDCJ run correctional facility.
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION
In addition to prison sentencing, fines, and the public stigma & embarrassment of being charged with a sex crime, a person who is found guilty of sexual assault will have to deal with the lingering negative effects of their crime long after they’ve paid their dues to society, by way of sex offender registration.
You’ll be tracked, watched, and scrutinized for the rest of your life and a suspect if any sex crimes occur within the vicinity of your residency (if you can find residency, considering the plight of the convicted sex offender who has served their sentence).
Fight The Charge! Contact Attorney Capitaine
This first thing to do if you were charged with a criminal offense like sexual assault, is to contact an attorney who can inform you of your rights, protect you from any unlawful investigation attempts by law enforcement, and defend you from all unlawful interrogation practices by authorities.
Attorney Christian Capitaine has stood by his clients time & time again throughout the duration his 20+ year career. He has excelled at providing legal counsel throughout varying courtroom proceedings in which serious felony crimes were alleged against his clients.
If you were charged with sexual assault and are looking for a defense lawyer with experience fighting such allegations, call the Capitaine Law Firm at 832-618-7831 to schedule an appointment so we can review your case.