Tarrant County Rape Lawyer

Rape is a serious issue in Texas with 48 reported cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2016, with Texas being 15th overall among the states for the most reported cases.

A rape charge in Tarrant County is taken very seriously by local courts. An accusation of rape could injure a person’s reputation and may have long-lasting, negative effects. To minimize or even avoid the possible consequences related to a rape charge, it may be necessary to hire a lawyer who understands how the legal process works.

A Tarrant county rape attorney who knows the laws and various legal defenses available in a sexual assault case could help you figure out a strategy to defend against the charges. An experienced criminal defense lawyer could help you protect your legal rights and future from the effects of a charge or conviction.

State Laws

In the state of Texas, rape is referred to as sexual assault. There are three types of rape charges, according to Texas Penal Code Section 22.011. These are sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and indecency with a minor.

Sexual assault is any non-consensual act of forcing contact with a victim’s sexual organ or forcing the defendant’s sexual organ onto another person. According to Section 22.011, sexual assault could happen through various circumstances, such as:

• The use of force
• The threat of force
• When the victim is unconscious and unable to give consent
• When someone who lacks the mental capacity to understand what is happening
• When a public servant who uses coercion
• When a clergyperson abuses their position

A violation of this law is a second-degree felony and the court could sentence a defendant to penalties of a jail sentence of two to twenty years and up to $10,000 in fines. A Tarrant County lawyer could better explain how state laws affect a person’s rape case.

Aggravated Sexual Assault

The government defines aggravated sexual assault as an act of rape combined with serious harm to the victim or another person with the use or threat of a weapon to cause serious harm. Any violation of Section 22.021 on aggravated assault is a first-degree felony.

The court could sentence a convicted person to jail for five to 99 years or life and up to $10,000 in fines. The court may even increase the minimum jail sentence to 25 years for any act involving a victim six years old or younger or a violent act against a fourteen-year-old or younger. An experienced sex crimes lawyer could examine the facts of the case and challenge an aggravated sexual assault charge.

Indecency with a Minor

The government could punish any act of sexual contact with a child as a second-degree felony. The government may also punish any other act that falls short of sexual contact with a child but is included in the statute as a third-degree felony. The court could punish third-degree felonies with two to ten years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

How a Tarrant County Rape Attorney could Help

The repercussions for a rape charge might be long-lasting. Sexual assault accusations could ruin a person’s reputation and felony convictions often follow a person for their entire life. When the stakes are so high, it may be vital to hire a knowledgeable attorney. A Tarrant county rape lawyer could be familiar with the laws involved in criminal court and defense procedures.

Reach out to our firm to see how they may be able to help you build a defense and mitigate the effects of this situation on your future.