Sex Crimes

With the high stakes involved with any criminal charge, you need an experienced criminal trial attorney by your side. Attorney Shannon Drehner brings her years of experience as a chief felony prosecutor to defend you when you need it most. Don’t wait; contact us today.

Sex Crimes Attorney in Houston, TX

Dedicated Sexual Assault Lawyer in Harris County

If you have been charged with a sex crime in Harris County, such as sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault, you could be facing serious consequences. Just the mere allegation of a sex crime can have ramifications for one’s career, personal relationships, and reputation. Depending on the charge, the potential penalties for these offenses can range from probation to a life sentence. In addition, Texas has sex offender registration requirements upon a plea or conviction of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and other sex crime charges.

At Drehner Law, Houston, sex crimes attorney Shannon Drehner knows just how much is on the line when someone is falsely accused of sexual assault or misconduct. Whether you are under investigation or already charged, an effective and solid defense is necessary to protect your reputation, career, and freedom in Harris County.

Contact us at 832-626-0063 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case and how our Houston sex crimes lawyer can defend you.

Texas’s Laws on Rape: Sexual Assault and Aggravated Sexual Assault

Texas prohibits persons from engaging in non-consensual sexual conduct with other adults. It also forbids sexual conduct with children regardless of whether the alleged offender was aware of the minor’s age at the time of the offense or whether the child consented. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.011, such acts are referred to as sexual assault (rape).

Specifically, Texas Penal Code § 22.011 provides that it’s unlawful for a person to intentionally or knowingly:

Penetrate an adult’s or child’s anus or sexual organ in any way;
Penetrate an adult’s or child’s mouth with the actor’s sexual organ;
Make an adult’s or child’s sexual organ contact or penetrate any other individual’s (including the alleged offender’s) mouth, anus, or sexual organ;
Make a child’s anus contact anyone else’s (including the alleged offender’s) mouth, anus, or sexual organ;
Make a child’s mouth contact anyone else’s (including the alleged offender’s) sexual organ or anus

Under Texas Penal Code § 22.021, aggravated sexual assault is a more serious offense than sexual assault. Like sexual assault, it occurs when someone has non-consensual sex with an adult or engages in sexual conduct with a child.

However, it’s elevated because more severe circumstances were present, such as:

Causing serious bodily injury or attempting to cause death to the alleged victim or another person;
Placing the other person in fear of becoming a victim of a violent offense;
Threatening to commit a violent crime against the other person;
Using or exhibiting a deadly weapon;
Committing the offense with one other individual;
Facilitating the offense by administering a substance hinders the alleged victim’s awareness of what’s happening.

Our Houston sexual assault attorney is ready to vigorously defend you no matter your situation. Recognizing that charges can arise from misunderstandings or false allegations, we want to hear your side of the story and ensure that your voice is heard.

What Are The Penalties for Rape in Texas?

Under Texas Penal Code §§ 22.011 and 22.021, sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault carry harsh penalties. The punishments the court can impose are tied to the nature of the offense.

Below are the potential penalties for rape in Texas:

Sexual assault – Second-degree felony:
- 2 to 20 years of imprisonment and/or
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Sexual assault of a person the actor was prohibited from marrying or engaging in sexual intercourse with – First-degree felony:
- 5 to 99 years of imprisonment and/or
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Aggravated sexual assault – First-degree felony:
- 5 to 99 years of imprisonment (with a minimum term of 25 years if the alleged victim was a child under a certain age) and/or
- Up to $10,000 in fines

Various defenses can be raised to fight a sex crimes charge. Allow our Houston sexual assault lawyer to evaluate your case and develop a strategy for your unique situation.

Texas’s Laws Concerning Other Sex Crimes

Texas’s Penal Code enumerates various offenses considered sex crimes. Generally, they involve acts with some element of sexual conduct or contact committed against adults or children. Because of the seriousness of these allegations, it’s crucial to retain the services of an attorney who knows how to handle these cases.

Our sex crimes lawyer in Houston fights all types of charges, including:

Continuous sexual abuse of a child (Texas Penal Code § 21.02)
Indecency with a minor (Texas Penal Code § 21.11)
Sexual performance by a child (Texas Penal Code § 43.25)
Online solicitation of a minor (Texas Penal Code § 33.021)
Aggravated kidnapping (Texas Penal Code § 20.04)
Display of harmful materials to a minor (Texas Penal Code § 43.24)
Improper relationship between a teacher and a student (Texas Penal Code § 21.12)
Manufacture, possession, or distribution of child pornography (Texas Penal Code § 43.26)
Indecent exposure (Texas Penal Code § 21.08)
Public lewdness (Texas Penal Code § 21.07)
Promotion of Prostitution (Texas Penal Code § 43.03)

A criminal accusation is not a conviction. You can fight the allegations and seek to protect your good name and future. Our Houston sex crimes attorney recognizes the seriousness of these charges and can zealously advocate on your behalf to pursue a just outcome.

Penalties for Other Sex Crimes in Texas

The penalties for sex crimes will vary depending on the conduct involved, the defendant’s criminal history, and other factors.

Examples of potential sex crime penalties include, but are not limited to:

Continuous sexual abuse of a child – First-degree felony:
- Imprisonment for life, or
- 25 to 99 years of imprisonment and/or
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Indecency with a child – Second-degree felony:
- Up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Producing, directing, or promoting a sexual performance by a child – Third-degree felony:
- Up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Public lewdness – Class A misdemeanor:
- Up to 1 year in jail and/or
- Up to $4,000 in fines
Indecent exposure – Class B misdemeanor:
- Up to 180 days in jail and/or
- Up to $2,000 in fines

For the legal representation you need, reach out to our sex crimes lawyer in Houston. We are prepared to seek an optimal result on your behalf.

Contact Our Sex Crimes Lawyer in Houston, TX

Sexual assault is one of the few crimes in Texas where someone can be charged with zero evidence, relying solely on testimonials. It’s the proverbial “he said/she said” case. Juries are told that they can base their conviction exclusively on the accuser’s words if they find them credible. A simple “he did it” can doom a person to life in prison and a lifetime of sex offender registration. This can put the accused at a great disadvantage.

In Texas sex crimes cases, minute details of an incident become important. At the end of the day, everything comes down to determining the parties’ credibility. Often, tough, personal questions must be asked of the accuser. A male attorney asking these questions can come across as a bully, especially when asking questions of someone seen as a victim.

Houston sex crimes attorney Shannon Drehner knows how to ask tough questions without appearing offensive. In any trial case, the key to victory is challenging the state’s evidence by a credible lawyer. This is especially true for sexual assault cases. Attorney Shannon Drehner has the experience, poise, and credibility needed when much is at stake.

For legal representation from a hardworking sex crimes lawyer in Houston, contact us online or call 832-626-0063.