If you are facing a sexual assault charge in Dallas, contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter for the qualified legal assistance that you need right away. It’s important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. You are also entitled to a lawyer. You must secure legal representation as soon as you can. An experienced sexual assault defense lawyer will fight to protect your rights and your future.
Sexual assault is a serious crime under Texas law. Under Texas Penal Code section 22.011, sexual assault is defined as any non-consensual, unwanted sexual contact against another person involving penetration. “Lack of consent” may include physical violence, threats of violence, and coercion. Depending on the facts of your sexual assault case, the crime may be charged as a first or second-degree felony.
A felony conviction typically involves prison time of more than a year and hefty fines. A sexual assault conviction can harm your life for years to come. A lawyer can help you during an interrogation and use effective defense strategies to help reduce or dismiss your charges.
Because sexual assault cases can be so complicated, the Dallas sexual assault defense lawyers at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter provide confidentiality to everyone who reaches out to us. We will give you honest advice about your case. Call Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter today at (214) 845-7007 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Do I Need a Sexual Assault Lawyer?
In many sexual assault cases, it is prosecuted based on the word of the alleged victim, even though no evidence supports their accusation. Sexual assault cases involving false allegations occur for a variety of reasons. Texas law provides several key defenses against this criminal charge when the claims are false or the evidence is insufficient. You need a lawyer to help you to raise these defenses and persuasively present them to a judge or jury in court.
An experienced Dallas sexual assault defense attorney can help you fight the charges against you, protect your rights, and achieve the best outcome possible. A lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, help you assert any possible defenses, and guide you through the complicated legal process. An attorney can also help you explore the possibility of a plea bargain, which allows you to plead guilty to a lesser charge that is not a registerable sex offense.
A rape lawyer can employ a range of effective defense strategies for your case. An often-used defense strategy is to deny that the assault occurred in the first place or that it did not involve the accuser. Relevant evidence, such as DNA and rape kits, can be used to support this defense. Another widely-used strategy is to contend that the sexual act was consensual. This requires skilled argumentation from your defense attorney and could rely heavily on the use of witnesses, private investigators, and mental health professionals.
Why Choose Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter to Handle My Case?
Sexual assault is a serious crime that carries penalties. Our Dallas sex crime defense lawyers understand the implications of what you are dealing with. We will do everything we can to defend you. If you have been accused of sexual assault in the greater Dallas area, contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter as soon as possible. Early intervention is critical. The sooner we can get started on your case, the better your chances of a favorable resolution.
Attorney Mark Lassiter, the founder of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, has plenty of qualifications and experience that he can bring to your sexual assault case, such as:
- Former Dallas County Prosecutor
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Board Member under Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Dallas Association for Young Lawyers – Criminal Law Committee
- American Association for Justice
- Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Named a Texas SuperLawyer
If you have been accused of sexual assault, you need the top-notch Dallas rape defense lawyers of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter by your side, defending you and advising you every step of the way. Attorney Lassiter’s goal will be to help you avoid prison time, avoid a conviction, and resolve your case in a way that allows for your arrest record to be cleared. The Dallas sexual assault defense attorney at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter has successfully reached these goals for clients, and he will strive to do the same for you.
Types of Sexual Assault Cases
Under Texas law, any penetration or intercourse that happens between two people without legal consent might be considered sexual assault. These types of acts are commonly referred to as rape, although this specific word does not appear in Texas laws. Our firm has the experience to defend those accused of all kinds of sexual assault and abuse and related sex crimes, including but not limited to:
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Rape
- Sexual abuse
- Sexual misconduct
- Incest
- Indecency with a child by contact
- Sexual harassment
A person in Texas can be charged with sexual assault under Texas. Penal Code § 220.011 if they intentionally or knowingly commit any of the following:
- Cause the sexual organ of another person to contact or penetrate the mouth, sexual organ, or anus of another individual without that person’s consent
- Penetrate the sex organ or anus of another individual by any means without the other person’s consent
- Penetrate the mouth of another person with the sexual organ of the alleged offender without their consent
- Cause a child’s anus to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person;
- Cause a child’s mouth to be penetrated by the sexual organ of the alleged offender;
- Cause a child’s mouth to contact the sexual organ or anus of another person;
- Cause a child’s sexual organ to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person;
A sexual assault charge can be more severe if it is aggravated sexual assault. According to Texas Penal Code Chapter 22, Section 22.021, factors that make it aggravated sexual assault include:
- Causing or attempting serious physical injury, such as disfigurement or paralysis
- Attempting to kill the victim
- Threatening violence or kidnapping
- Using, displaying, or threatening to use a deadly weapon
- Giving the victim drugs, such as Rohypnol, GHB, or another “date rape drug,” with the intent of carrying out the offense
- Acts against a vulnerable person, such as a person who is disabled, elderly, or younger than 14
- Acts committed during another felony, including robbery, kidnapping, or arson
- Collaborating with another individual to commit the crime
- Acts committed by a blood relative, stepparent, or guardian
- Offenses committed by a person with an imbalance of power over the other, for example, because of their professional or legal status
Rape and sexual assault offenses in Texas are typically punishable as a felony of the second degree, which can carry a prison sentence that ranges anywhere from two to 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000. A felony of the first degree also results in a prison sentence, but longer, usually ranging from five to 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Furthermore, according to Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, sexual assault convicts are required to register as a sex offender for life.
Sexual Assault Charges For Youth Offenders
Under most circumstances, youth offenders will face different sentencing guidelines than adults will—though some youth offenders may be sentenced as adults if the allegations are particularly severe. A number of circumstances will be considered when sentencing juvenile offenders, such as:
- What rehabilitative options are available
- The age of the defendant
- The age of the victim
Should a conviction be achieved against your child, he or she may avoid some of the harsher penalties associated with convictions for adults and instead be sentenced to enter intensive sex offender treatment with a licensed professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we get many questions about sexual assault cases. Listed below are a few of the most commonly asked questions. If you have any questions about your particular sexual assault case, contact the knowledgeable Dallas sex crime lawyers at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter by calling (214) 845-7007 today.
Are the charges I’m facing serious?
Yes, these are serious charges in Texas, but remember that a charge differs from a conviction. Whether or not you are convicted can hinge on the legal representation you choose. Fighting back against sexual assault charges as the defendant is challenging, even in the most favorable circumstances. Despite being “innocent until proven guilty,” police, prosecutors, and jurors often automatically side with the alleged victim before the evidence is presented.
At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, our Dallas criminal defense attorneys are committed to fighting for our client’s right to a fair trial and a strong defense. The prosecution, or the state of Texas, has to prove that you are guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This burden of proof is much higher than that of a civil case. Our lawyers will fight to protect your rights and freedom throughout the legal process.
When should I hire a sexual assault defense lawyer?
The best time is now. It’s always better sooner rather than later. Securing legal representation early in the process, even before being questioned by police, is critical to ensuring a favorable result. If you have been charged with sexual assault in the greater Dallas area, we encourage you to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation with our skilled defense attorneys. Delaying can hurt your case. Take action now to protect your freedom.
What is the difference between sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault?
The main difference between aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault is the severity of punishment. An aggravated sexual assault conviction can lead to a prison sentence of five to 99 years or life imprisonment.
An aggravated sexual assault is defined in the Texas Penal Code as when an individual intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes or threatens sexual harm to another person without consent. The presence of an aggravating factor makes it a more severe charge. The Dallas aggravated sexual assault attorneys of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter can help you defend yourself from the allegations you are up against.
Contact a Dallas Sexual Assault Lawyer
If you have been charged with sexual assault in Dallas, you must contact a skilled rape defense attorney to make sure you are protected throughout the legal process. The experienced Dallas sexual assault lawyers at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter will aggressively protect your future by helping you get the best outcome possible.
If you’ve been charged with sexual assault, hire an experienced sex crimes attorney in Dallas, right away to protect your rights and your freedom. Contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter today at (214) 845-7007. Attorney Lassiter will put all of his skills and experience to work on your defense.
