Understanding the Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Texas

Posted By The Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass || 14-Dec-2014

Sex crimes are dealt with very severely under Texas law. The exact penalties a judge could impose depend on the specific crime. Your criminal defense attorney can help you understand the nature of your exact charges and the penalties you could be facing upon conviction. For example, your criminal lawyer can explain whether you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges, which involve considerably different penalties. In general, however, you may expect a period of incarceration, probation, possible fines, and sex offender registration upon conviction.

Incarceration
Some sex crimes may be considered misdemeanor offenses, depending on the circumstances. These include indecent exposure and sexual acts in a public place. Misdemeanor charges are punishable by up to a year in jail. However, many sex crimes are prosecuted as felonies, including any that involve a child. A felony conviction can result in a much longer term of incarceration in prison, rather than jail. For example, if you’ve been convicted of statutory rape, you could be sentenced to two to 20 years in prison under Texas law. If you’ve been convicted of aggravated sexual assault, you could be sentenced to five to 99 years. A conviction of child molestation can result in up to 20 years behind bars.

Probation
Even after you’ve been released from jail or prison, you could be ordered to serve a period of probation. While you’re on probation, you’ll have to meet with your probation officer regularly and adhere to all other requirements, or risk violating your probation.

Fines
Convicted sex offenders in Texas can be ordered to pay a fine. If you’ve been convicted of a class A misdemeanor, you could be ordered to pay up to $4,000. A first-degree felony conviction can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

Sex Offender Registration
After being convicted of a sex crime, you could be required to register with the sex offender registry for the rest of your life. The public has access to certain details on the registry.

At the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass, our criminal defense team will work closely with you to ensure that you are fully informed of all aspects of your case, including the potential penalties upon conviction. Our criminal defense lawyer specializes in defending clients against sex crimes allegations. Residents of the Dallas and Plano areas can get in touch with our criminal law firm at .