Sugar Land Continuous Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Continuous Sexual Abuse Attorney in Sugar Land, Texas

According to Texas sex offense law, a person over the age of 17 commits the criminal act of continuous sexual assault of a minor if they engage in two or more acts of sexual abuse, within 30 days, with a child (or multiple children) under the age of 14.

“Continuous Sexual abuse” is defined by the state of Texas as:

• Aggravated kidnapping (if the actor committed the offense with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually)
• Sexual assault
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Burglary (if the actor committed the crime with the intent to commit a sexual crime)
• Indecency with a child (if the actor committed the crime in a manner other than by touching, including touching through clothing, the breast of a child)
• Sexual performance by a child
• Trafficking of persons
• Compelling child prostitution

In a continuous child sexual assault case, the jury does not have to unanimously agree on which defendant committed a specific type of sexual abuse or when these criminal acts occurred. They must, however, all agree that the defendant committed at least two sexual acts within 30 days to deliver a guilty verdict for continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Continuous Sexual Abuse Penalties

The Texas Penal Code clearly states the punishments for being convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children, saying:

“An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years.”

In addition to prison time, a person convicted of a first-degree felony must register as a sex offender and may face up to $10,000 in fines.

Repeat offenders, or a person who has a prior sex offense conviction on their record, are automatically sentenced to life imprisonment.

Unlike other sex offenses, there is no early release option for a person convicted of continuous sexual assault of a child, nor is community supervision.

Ultimately, the prosecution must prove your guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” showing clear physical evidence that sexual abuse occurred within 30 days, or else your charges are reduced or dropped altogether. An experienced and fiercely determined defense attorney can make sure your constitutional rights are protected.

Other Consequences of Continuous Sexual Abuse

• Terms of probation
• Parole limitations
• Random drug testing
• Curfew
• Limitations on where you may live
• Challenges in finding and maintaining employment
• Limitations on where you may work
• Challenges returning to school
• Unable to qualify for federal financial aid
• Unable to obtain specific professional licenses
• Loss of your right to own firearms
• Citizenship issues
• Immigration issues
• Loss of custody or visitation with your children
• Difficulty establishing yourself within a community
• Strained relationships with family and friends
• Damage to your reputation
• Feelings of shame

FAQ

Contact Our Continuous Sexual Abuse Lawyers

These are highly sensitive, fact-driven criminal cases with enormous stakes. They take tremendous skill, vast experience, dogged tenacity, and compassion.

The prosecutor needs to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.