Sex crimes are especially serious whenever a child is involved. Indecency with a child can involve a wide range of sex acts, including touching, fondling, molestation, child abuse, rape, sexual assault, child pornography, and child prostitution.
Because of the nature of the crime, these charges carry severe penalties, including incarceration, hefty fines, and the requirement to register as a sex offender. There could be further repercussions, such as public humiliation and restrictions on employment or housing.
If you’ve been charged with indecency with a child in Texas, it’s important to remember that a charge is not the same as a conviction. In the United States criminal justice system, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Dallas indecency with a child defense lawyers at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter understand how valuable your freedom is to you, and they will fight tirelessly to protect your rights.
At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, our highly skilled criminal defense lawyers focus on complex sex crime cases like indecency with a child in the greater Dallas area. We have a long track record of helping clients resolve their cases quickly and without a trial. Allow us to help you protect your freedom and reputation. Call (214) 845-7007 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Do I Need an Indecency with a Child Lawyer?
The first step you can take when you’ve been charged with indecency with a child is to contact a qualified sex crime lawyer. An experienced attorney will investigate and analyze the evidence against you and prepare a defense to fight your charge.
Texas Penal Code lists two possible defenses for those accused of indecency with a child:
- Consent. If there is an age difference of less than three years between the parties who are of the opposite sex, there was no force or threat involved in the sexual activity, and the accused is not in the sex offender registry.
- Marriage. In Texas, individuals who reach the age of 18 may marry without parental consent. However, those 14 or older must have parental consent to marry as long as that consent is given 30 days before applying for a marriage license.
Although these two defenses are the only ones listed in the Texas Penal Code, other defenses may be available to you depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. An experienced sex crime defense attorney can explain all your legal options during your free consultation.
Because of the nature of the indecency with a child offense and the fact that a minor is involved, these cases often rely solely on accusations. There may be motivating factors as to why a child would make false accusations against an adult. For instance, a parent could teach a child to make false accusations against the other parent in an effort to gain sole custody in a child custody dispute. Improper questioning by police officers could also lead to false allegations or a misunderstanding of the incident.
Why Choose Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter to Handle My Case?
If you are facing charges of indecency with a child, you must act promptly to protect your rights. Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter takes these cases very seriously. Our Dallas sex crimes attorneys understand the implications of what you are facing and will do everything we can to defend you.
Attorney Mark Lassiter, the founder of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, has plenty of experience and qualifications that he can bring to your indecency with a child case, such as:
- Former Dallas County Prosecutor
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- American Association for Justice
- Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Dallas Association for Young Lawyers – Criminal Law Committee
- Board Member under Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Elected as a Texas SuperLawyer
- Named in the Who’s Who of America
- One of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter has successfully handled sex crime cases for clients just like you, and we understand what you are going through. We are ready to tackle the charges, no matter how challenging and complex the situation may be. For years, individuals charged with sex crimes in the greater Dallas area have turned to our reliable sex crime attorneys for the highest quality legal defense.
If you are facing an indecency with a child charge, attorney Mark Lassiter is committed to bringing his extensive criminal litigation experience in helping you reach a favorable outcome. If we cannot get the charges dismissed, we will work toward getting the charge reduced so that it does not require sex offender registration. If you are facing charges, we encourage you to reach out as soon as you can so we can begin protecting your rights. Call (214) 845-7007 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with the dedicated criminal defense lawyers at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter.
Types of Cases We Handle
Under Texas Penal Code, there are two types of indecency with a child charges: indecency with a child by exposure and indecency with a child by contact. At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, our experienced sex crimes attorneys handle cases involving both types of charges.
In Texas, a person can be charged with indecency with a child by exposure if:
- They exposes their genitals or anus in the presence of a child under the age of 17
- They causes a child under 17 to expose their genitals or anus for the purpose of sexual arousal
A person can be charged with indecency with a child by contact if:
- They touch a child’s genitals, breast, or anus and the child is under 17
- They touch a child under the age of 17 with their genitals, breast, or anus
Indecency with a child by exposure is a third-degree felony, which carries a punishment of:
- 2 to 10 years in prison
- Fine of up to $10,000
Indecency with a child by contact is a second-degree felony, which carries a punishment of:
- 2 to 20 years in prison
- Fine of up to $10,000
Individuals who have prior felony convictions or are already registered sex offenders will likely face harsher punishments. A conviction of indecency with a child as a third-degree felony could result in:
- A prison sentence of 2 to 20 years after a prior sentence
- 25 to 99 years or life in prison if they have gone to prison two separate times for two felonies
Of course, prison time and fines are not the only negative consequences you could face if convicted of indecency with a child. You will have to register as a sex offender. Your neighbors will be notified, and your name, photo, address, place of employment, and conviction details will be added to a public database, easily accessible to anyone with internet access. As people learn of your sex offender status, you may find it challenging to find work and a place to live, and you may be subject to harassment.
If you are facing an indecency with a child charge in the greater Dallas area, it is extremely important that you start your criminal defense immediately. With sexual offenses involving children, you must retain a lawyer who will defend you with diligence, hard work, knowledge, and skill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we receive many questions from clients regarding indecency with a child. Listed below are a few of the most frequently asked questions. If you have any questions about the sex crime that you or your child has been charged with, contact the knowledgeable Texas sex crime attorneys at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter by calling (214) 845-7007.
What is the statute of limitations in Texas for indecency with a child?
In Texas, there is no time limit – known as the statute of limitations – for bringing an indecency with a child charge. Therefore, Texas could charge you any time after the offense is alleged.
What’s the difference between indecency with a child and sexual performance by a child under Texas law?
The age of consent is the first critical difference between “indecency with a child” and “sexual performance by a child.” The age of consent for sexual performance is 18, whereas 17 is the age of consent for the statutory rape charge of indecency with a child.
Another key difference is the illegal behavior aspect. In indecency with a child, the forbidden activity is any form of sexual contact. With sexual performance by a child, the forbidden act is a “performance” of some kind.
Contact a Dallas Indecency with a Child Lawyer
If you have been charged with indecency with a child in Dallas, you must consult with an experienced Dallas sex crimes lawyer as soon as you can to help you begin building the best defense for your situation. Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter will fight to get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed. Contact the highly skilled and compassionate criminal defense attorneys of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter now at (214) 845-7007 to schedule a a consultation to discuss your case immediately.
