Texas Sex Criminal Defense Attorneys.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Indecency ⎮ Sexual Assault ⎮ Sex Abuse ⎮ Computer Crimes
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”7103″][vc_single_image image=”2340″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http://profiles.superlawyers.com/texas/houston/lawyer/sam-adamo/ca04a7ec-e84e-4468-a2c2-04907520c1da.html”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][gap height=”20″][vc_column_text]- Former Prosecutor – Special Crimes
- Former Counsel for the Police Union.
- Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist – Sex Crimes
- “…one of the outstanding criminal defense attorneys in Houston…”-Houston Chronicle.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating on Google, Yelp, EZ Local, and Avvo.
With over fifty years of combined sex criminal defense experience our nationally recognized sex criminal defense lawyers are dedicated to providing you with high-quality solutions using reliable sex criminal defense.
Contact our sex crime attorneys now!
(713) 568-7011
[/vc_column_text]3200 Travis, 4th Floor Houston, TX 77006
[/vc_column_text][gap height=”20″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1453229009706{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;border-left-color: #000000 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #000000 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #000000 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #000000 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}”] [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2023″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://http://www.bbb.org/houston/business-reviews/attorneys-and-lawyers-criminal/adamo-and-adamo-in-houston-tx-22005163/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]I AM CHARGED WITH A SEX CRIME…
Sex crimes are commonly referred to as “political crimes”. Associations and public pressure demand convictions and harsh sentences. The media and the community forget about the government’s burden of proof and your presumption of innocence. In the public eye you are often assumed guilty. If you have been contacted by child protective services (CPS), the police, or have already been arrested, you must get in touch with a qualified sex criminal defense attorney with the skills to combat this perception.
A CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CPS) CASEWORKER IS AT MY DOOR, WHAT DO I DO?
You have the right to refrain from answering incriminating questions and have the right to have a criminal defense attorney present. Tell the caseworker you “would be happy to cooperate, with your attorney present”. Be firm in your stance and get in touch with your attorney as soon as possible. If you have access to a team of lawyers, even better.
THE CPS CASEWORKER SAYS, “I HAVE TO LET THEM IN”.
No you do not. CPS does not have a special right to enter your home WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION or without a WARRANT. Tell them, “I’d be happy to cooperate with my attorney present”. If they have a warrant, ask to see the warrant. Anything you say to them may be used later against you.
I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE POLICE, SHOULD I CALL THEM BACK?
No. By now you know what to say, “I’d be happy to cooperate with my attorney present”. By now you know what to do, “call your attorney”.
Your sex criminal defense attorney may be able to prevent charges from ever being filed. This is the #1 priority and protects your reputation, livelihood, and criminal record.
THE POLICE WANT TO COME INSIDE MY HOUSE, CAN THEY?
Not without a warrant. Ask the police if they have a warrant to search your home. If the say yes, ask to see that warrant.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SEX CRIME?
Under the Texas Penal Code common crimes associated with sex criminal defense are:
- Online Solicitation of a Minor – 33.021
- Indecency with a Child – 22.11
- Sexual Assault – 22.011
- Aggravated Sexual Assault – 22.021
- Continuous Sexual Abuse – 21.02
- Sexual Performance by Child – 43.25
- Aggravated Kidnapping with Sexual Abuse – 20.04
- Unlawful Restraint – 20.02
- Public Lewdness – 21.07
- Indecent Exposure – 21.08
- Improper Relationship between Educator and Student – 21.12
- Revenge Porn – 21.16
- Prohibited Sexual Conduct – 25.02
- Prostitution – 43.02
- Promotion of Prostitution – 43.03
- Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution – 43.04
- Obscene Display or Distribution – 43.22
- Obscenity – 43.23
- Compelling Prostitution – 43.05
- Sale, Distribution, or Display of Harmful Material to Minor (under 18) – 43.24
- Sexual Performance by a Child – 43.25
- Employment Harmful to Children – 43.251
- Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography – 43.26
- Burglary of Habitation with intent to commit Sex Offense – 30.02
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT RANGE?
The most common question for a sex criminal defense lawyer is “I have been charged with (X), will I go to prison?” A criminal attorney, familiar with the system will be able to explain all your options to you. The goal is to achieve the best result possible. Each case is different and presents a different way to achieve that goal. Below are the punishment ranges for certain sex crimes. The punishment ranges do not reflect the potential outcome of your case.
Offense | Punishment Range | Can I receive probation from a jury? | Is it a “3(g)” offense? | Can I receive early discharge from probation? | If convicted, do I have to register as a sex offender? | Can I receive Deferred adjudication from a judge? |
Continuous Sexual Abuse of Children – 21.02 | 25 years – Life and/or up to a $10,000 fine | No | No parole under Tex. Gov. Code 508.145 | N/A | Yes – Lifetime | No |
Indecency with a Child by Contact – 21.11 (a) | 2 – 20 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine (2nd Degree Felony) | Yes, unless the victim is younger than 14 | Yes | No | Yes – Lifetime | Yes, unless you have been previously conceited for certain sex offenses |
Indecency with a Child by Exposure – 21.11 (a)(2) | 2 – 10 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine (3rd Degree Felony | Yes | No | No | Yes – Ten years after end of imprisonment or end of probation; If you have been required to register previously, then Lifetime registration | Yes, unless you have been previously conceited for certain sex offenses |
Sexual Assault – 22.011 | 2 – 20 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine (2nd Degree Felony); If the victim is related than it is a 1st Degree Felony | Yes, Unless the victim is younger than 14 | Yes | No | Yes – Lifetime | No, if the 25 year minimum applies |
Aggravated Sexual Assault – 22.021 | 5 – 99 years and/or $10,000 fine (1st Degree Felony); 25 year minimum if the victim is yournger than six or is younger than 14 and accused threatens or causes ‘serious bodily injury’, ‘kidnapping’, uses a ‘deadly weapon’ or ‘listed drugs’ | No | Yes; No parole if 25 year minimum applies | No | Yes – Lifetime | No; if 25 year minimum applies |
Prohibited Sexual Contact – 25.02 | 2 – 20 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine (2nd Degree Felony); If the victim is an ancestor, descendant by blood or adoption than it is a 1st Degree Felony | Yes | No | No | Yes – Lifetime | Yes |
Compelling Prostitution – 43.05 | 2 – 20 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine (2nd Degree Felony); | Yes | No | No | Yes – Lifetime if child under 18 is involved | Yes |
Obscenity – 43.23 (images of child under 18)
2 – 10 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine
(3rd Degree Felony; 180 days – 2 years in state jail facility if promotion (SJ Felony)
Yes/No/No/Yes – Lifetime/Yes
Sexual Performance by a child – 43.25
2nd Degree Felony, unless the victim is under 14 than 1st Degree Felony
No/Yes/No/Yes – Lifetime/Yes
Possession of Child Porn – 43.26
3rd Degree Felony
Yes/Yes/No/Yes – Lifetime/Yes
Promotion of Child Porn – 43.26
2nd Degree Felony
Yes/Yes/No/Yes – Lifetime/Yes
Aggravated Kidnapping with Sexual Abuse – 20.04 (a) (4) or a finding under Art. 42.015 and victim under 17
1st Degree, unless the victim is voluntarily released in a safe place than 2nd degree felony
Yes, unless the victim is under 14/Yes/No/Yes – Ten years; Lifetime if prior registration offense/Yes
Kidnapping with a finding under Art. 42.015 and victim is under 17
3rd Degree Felony
Yes/No/No/Yes – Lifetime if prior registration offense/Yes
Unlawful Restraint 20.02 with a finding under Art. 42.015 and victim under 17
State Jail Felony; Unless the victim is a ‘public servant’, actor in custody, or victim recklessly exposed to SBI
Yes/No/No/Yes – Lifetime if prior registration offense/Yes
Indecent Exposure0 – 180 days in County Jail and/or up to a $2000 fine (Class B Misdemeanor )
Yes/Yes/Yes, Unless Registration required on subsequent offense/No, unless subsequent offense (if it did not result in deferred adjudication)/Yes
Improper Relationship between Student and Educator – 21.12
2nd Degree Felony
Yes/Yes/No/No/Yes
Public Lewdness – 21.070 – 1 year in County Jail and/or up to a $4000 fine (Class A Misdemeanor)
Yes/Yes/Yes/No/Yes
Burglary of Habitation with intent to commit sex offense – 30.021st Degree Felony
Yes/No/No/Yes – Lifetime/Yes
Online Solicitation of a Minor – 33.021
3rd Degree; If the child is or believed to be under 14 than 2nd Degree Felony
Yes/Yes/No/Yes – Ten Years after release from prison or discharge from probation/Yes
I KEEP HEARING 3(g) OFFENSE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
The term “3(g)” is derived from Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42.12 (g). “3(g)” and “aggravated” are often used mutually. If you are convicted of a “3(g)” offense subsequent probationary terms and paroles may be affected.
IF I WAS ARRESTED, HAVE I BEEN INDICTED?
Not necessarily. Typically upon an arrest a complaint is filed. In order for the complaint to become an indictment, the grand jury has to issue what is known as a “True Bill”. The grand jury is made up of twelve citizens, like you and me, who have the duty of indicting (true bill) or rejecting (no bill) complaints. The district attorney presents the complaints. Your criminal defense lawyers are not allowed to be in the grand jury room, but may submit a sex criminal defense packet to the district attorney on your behalf. Sex Crimes may be “no-billed” by the grand jury, thus dismissing and disposing of your case.
Having your sex criminal defense attorney present information for the grand jury is a proven way to defeat a weak case…and another reason to get a sex criminal defense specialist on board as soon as possible.
SHOULD I DO A POLYGRAPH?
Polygraphs can be a good idea or a bad idea. The good is a polygraph may strengthen your position. The bad, there is a reason polygraphs are not admissible as evidence. They are not inherently reliable. Each case is different and your sex criminal defense attorney should conduct a proper investigation before determining whether a polygraph can be useful in your situation.
WHAT IS AN OUTCRY WITNESS?
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.072 allows for the admission of hearsay statements of certain abuse victims. In general the outcry witness is the first witness told of the allegations and may only testify regarding statements that describe the offense.
HOW TO OBTAIN A NO-BILL.
Criminal charges begin as a complaint. In order for the District Court to obtain jurisdiction the complaint must become an indictment. Grand Juries are responsible for indicting complaints. Evidence is presented by the prosecutor to 12 citizens who decide to issue either a “True Bill” or a “No Bill”. If a “True Bill” is issued the case continues its regular course. However, if a “No Bill” is issued the case is dismissed. Defense attorneys may not participate in the grand jury proceedings, but can prepare and convince the prosecutor to allow a packet to be presented. This packet will outline the circumstances of the alleged charges and reasons why the case should be no-billed. With a sex crime, specifics toward sex criminal defense will be included in the packet. Due to the nature of sex crimes they can often be defeated at the grand jury stage by a qualified sex criminal defense lawyer.
Contact our Houston sex defense law firm now to set up a consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_column_text]Criminal Defense[/vc_column_text][divider style=”line” color=”#1e73be” size=”3px”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][/vc_row]