Temple Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

Representing Individuals Accused of Sexual Offenses throughout Bell County

A conviction for a sex crime carries severe penalties, such as imprisonment, probation, and registration as a sex offender. Having a sexual offense on a criminal record can also make it difficult to find future jobs and places to live. This makes it imperative for accused sex offenders to obtain aggressive legal representation that will defend their rights and preserve their freedom. For a reliable sex crimes defense lawyer in Temple, contact the Law Offices of Michael F. White. As your representatives, we can work to protect your rights with dedication and determination.

Defending Sex Crimes Charges in Texas

Texas Law has the reputation of being very tough in its prosecution of sex crimes, especially when the offenses involve children. The Law Offices of Michael F. White has a proven track record of effectively representing Bell County clients facing a variety of sexual offense charges.

A sex crime can take a number of different forms, including:

• Child pornography
• Indecent exposure
• Lewd acts
• Prostitution
• Public Indecency
• Rape
• Sexual abuse of a child
• Sexual assault
• Solicitation of prostitution
• Statutory rape

Sex Crime Penalties

Most sex crimes are felonies, which carry penalties of up to $10,000 and jail sentences that range from 2 years to life. For example, sexual assault is a second degree felony is punishable by 2-20 years in state prison. Factors that determine the severity of the crime include the victim's age, whether the defendant caused the victim serious bodily injury, whether a deadly weapon was used during the crime, whether the victim was drugged, and other factors.

In addition to jail time and fines, being convicted of any sex crime also means that you will need to register as a sex offender. The sex offender registry is a public record made available to anyone, including potential employers and landlords. In Texas, you remain on the registration list for either 10 years or life—10 years for lesser offenses and lifetime for more serious. Additionally, sex offender registration begins after an individual has completed his or her jail sentence.

If the federal law orders a shorter registration period than Texas state law, an individual may issue an appeal for early termination of his or her offender registration. Additionally, the individual cannot have been convicted of more than one sex offense and must be deemed no longer a threat to society.

Due to the severe penalties imposed on those convicted of sex crimes, it is critical to obtain the services of a skilled criminal defense lawyer who has experience aggressively representing those accused of sex crimes.