Sex Offenses

Being accused of a sex offense can feel overwhelming and isolating. An accusation is not a conviction. You have the right to a defense, and what you tell your attorney stays private.

What a sex-offense charge means

"Sex offenses" covers many different charges, including sexual assault, indecency, offenses involving a child, online solicitation, and charges involving images or videos. Some are state cases; others, especially those involving the internet, can be federal.

Sometimes the accusation comes before any charge, through a call from a detective, Child Protective Services or a federal agent. If that has happened, see Under Investigation and call us before you talk with anyone.

What may be at stake

These are among the most serious charges in Texas. Depending on the charge, a case may affect:

• Your freedom, through prison time or long-term supervision
• Whether you must register as a sex offender
• Where you can live and work, and contact with children, including your own
• Your reputation, job and professional license
• Your immigration status, if you are not a U.S. citizen

How a Tarrant County case usually moves

Every case is different, and the steps and timing can vary. We also handle cases in the counties around Tarrant County; the general steps are similar, but each county's courts have their own schedules and practices. In general:

1. Investigation. Police or an agency may interview witnesses, record interviews with a child at an advocacy center, and seek search warrants for phones or computers. This can take weeks or months.
2. Arrest and bond. A judge (magistrate) sets bond and conditions, which may include no contact with certain people or no access to the internet.
3. Charging. Most of these cases are felonies, so a grand jury decides whether to formally charge (indict) the case.
4. Evidence review. Your attorney reviews interviews, medical exams, digital evidence and witness histories.
5. Resolution. The case may be dismissed, resolved by agreement, or go to trial. You decide whether to accept an offer or go to trial.

How our attorneys help

• We handle your case with discretion and respect.
• We step in early, sometimes before charges, so you don't have to face investigators alone.
• We investigate the accusation itself: when it was made, how it changed, and what else was happening at the time.
• When a case involves forensic interviews, medical findings or digital evidence, we can work with independent professionals who review that evidence.
• We defend these cases in both state and federal court.