An Overview of Rape and Sexual Assault Crimes

Posted By The Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass || 8-May-2014

Rape and sexual assault crimes are serious convictions that can follow you for the rest of your life. In addition to a steep imprisonment term and being required to register as a sex offender, individuals in Texas who are convicted of sex crimes must carry the social stigma of these crimes throughout their lifetimes. If you’ve been accused or charged with a sex crime, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of the definitions of these terms.

Rape

Rape is a sex crime that involves forced intercourse. It is not necessary for a rape victim to physically resist for the act to be considered rape; psychological coercion also constitutes rape. Forced sexual intercourse can include oral, vaginal, or anal penetration by the offender and/or by a foreign object. A charge of rape can also include attempted rape, such as verbal threats of forced sexual intercourse. The victim does not need to be of a specific demographic for the act to constitute rape; the victim and the offender may be either male or female.

Sexual Assault

An individual may be charged with either sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault. In Texas, sexual assault is a second-degree felony, whereas aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony. Sexual assault encompasses a wide array of sex crimes, ranging from verbal threats to unwanted sexual contact. It may or may not involve physical contact. A charge may be upgraded to aggravated sexual assault based on a number of factors, such as whether the act resulted in death or serious physical injury, whether the sexual conduct was coerced, and whether it involved the use of a weapon or date rape drugs. Aggravated sexual assault may also involve a victim under the age of 14, a disabled victim, or an elderly victim.

The Law Offices Of Jeffrey C. Grass offer the specialized expertise of our criminal defense lawyers to residents of the Dallas and Plano areas who have been charged with sex crimes. Our criminal lawyers believe that every client deserves the best possible legal representation and we’ll fight on your behalf to safeguard your future. After being charged with a sex crime, call our law firm right away at .