Charges for Indecency with a Child

Defense from the Fort Worth Criminal Attorney

Throughout Texas, the criminal justice system punishes sex offenders with particular severity—especially when the alleged victim is a child and/or the illicit sexual act was deviant in nature. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you enlist the help of the Fort Worth criminal lawyer at The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry, P.C. if you have been accused of acting indecently with a child. Contact my firm now!

Under Texas Penal Code § 21.11, this crime must be prosecuted as a felony in the second or third degree. The statute describes this offense as any instance in which a person engages in sexual contact with a child under the age of 17, who is not their spouse, or causes them to engage in sexual contact. Similarly, it would be a crime to expose one's anus or genitals while knowing that a child is present or causes a child to expose themselves for the purposes of arousal or sexual gratification.

Gain an Affirmative Defense Against Your Charges

As you may know, the law leaves room for suitable justification when dealing with sex crimes—as it is not uncommon for an innocent encounter to be taken out of context.

In accordance with Texas Penal Code § 21.11, it is an affirmative defense to prosecution that any of the following circumstances existed at the time of the incident:

• The offender was not more than 3 years older & of the opposite sex
• The offender did not use duress, force or threats against the victim
• The offender was not registered as a lifetime sexual offender

If you have been arrested for indecency with a child, do not hesitate to discuss your defense with an attorney. Not only could a conviction land you in jail, but you may even be required to register as a sex offender in the state—which is a legal consequence that could have lasting ramifications on your personal and professional life.

Penalties for Indecency with a Child in Texas

Depending on the nature of the offense, you could be charged with a second or third degree felony if you have been accused of acting indecently with a child.

Those who engage in sexual contact with a child or cause a child to engage in sexual contact would be charged with a felony in the second degree—which is punishable by 2-20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

If the offense didn't involve physical contact, but rather indecent exposure of the genitals or anus, the crime would be charged as a felony in the third degree—which is punishable by 2-10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Additionally, a conviction could result in mandatory sex offender registration. As such, you should not hesitate to get in touch with the Fort Worth sex crime defense attorney at The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry, P.C. if you have been charged with this offense.

Contact The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry, P.C. for a Free Case Evaluation

If you have been charged with indecency with a child, you must act quickly in the interest of your defense. As you may know, a single accusation could have long-lasting ramifications, regardless of whether or not you are eventually convicted, so there is no reason why you should wait any longer to retain the legal counsel that you will need.

When you reach out to The Law Office of Samuel R. Terry, P.C., we will even evaluate your case for free.