There are a few other charges that have the same potential to affect just about every aspect of your life as those alleging statutory rape. That being said, you must do everything possible to defend yourself and your future once you have been charged with this offense. The first thing you will need to do is seek legal counsel from an experienced defense lawyer.
At the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, our Dallas statutory rape defense attorneys understand just how much is at stake for you right now, and we can develop a comprehensive legal strategy to help you defend your rights and protect your future against the consequences of conviction.
If you have been accused of statutory rape, the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter is here to help you fight for your legal rights. Contact our experienced defense team to set up a free consultation and learn how we can help with your specific case. Call us today at (214) 845-7007 or contact us online.
How Can a Statutory Rape Defense Attorney Help Me?
Statutory rape is defined as any sexual activity with a person who is younger than the age of consent, which in Texas is set at 17 years old. Unlike other types of rape charges, the accused doesn’t necessarily have to have used force to have violated the law since the law views minors as too immature to be able to consent to sex legally. This means that even if a couple has been together for a while, they might be vulnerable to conviction under this law if either or both people are younger than 17.
Statutory rape convictions usually carry devastating and life-altering consequences. Getting convicted of a sex crime can negatively impact your career, relationships, and lifestyle. For example, people who are convicted of sex crimes against a minor are usually barred from areas with children, which could mean you’ll never be able to pick your kids up from school or daycare.
Unfortunately, despite the gravity of these consequences, charges in these types of cases are often based only on word-of-mouth evidence. When dealing with something so serious, you can’t base your fate solely on the belief that the court will believe what you say over the word of your accuser.
If you’ve been accused of a crime this serious, you need a skilled sex crime defense attorney on your side to help you build the best defense possible. They can help you understand your legal options, answer any questions about the process, and defend you in court. Any mistake can have serious consequences, so a skilled attorney can handle any required paperwork and documentation on your behalf to help make sure anything you submit is complete, convincing, and timely.
An experienced lawyer can also help you gather the evidence necessary to prove your case. For example, they might be able to help you obtain physical evidence, depending on the specifics of your situation. They can also help find experts like psychologists and private investigators who can testify to support your case.
In a case this sensitive, anything you say might be used against you. Even if you’re trying to prove your innocence or tell your side of the story, the police or accuser might twist your words. A skilled statutory rape defense attorney can work and speak on your behalf in most situations so you don’t accidentally incriminate yourself.
Why Should I Choose Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter to Handle My Case?
If you’re facing a charge as serious as statutory rape, you need someone on your side with a proven track record of helping clients survive these types of charges. At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we have defended the rights of clients across Dallas and surrounding areas after they were accused of significant crimes like statutory rape. As demonstrated by our successful case results and testimonials from past clients, we have the skills to tackle even the toughest cases.
With Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, you can be sure we have your best interest in mind. Our statutory rape defense team will do all they can to fight for your legal rights and protect your future prospects. We’ll vigorously defend you in court while giving you the respect and personal attention you deserve. Call us today and see how we can help you fight against this charge and move on with your life. Contact us at (214) 845-7007 or online to set up your free and confidential consultation.
Types of Statutory Rape Cases Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter Handles
At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we have the experience and resources to handle various cases. Some of the types of Dallas statutory rape cases we see most often include:
- False accusations, where the accused didn’t actually engage in sexual activity with the alleged victim
- The accused is less than three years older than the alleged victim and of the opposite gender
- No force or threat was used to compel the sexual activity
- The couple was married at the time of the alleged offense
Possible Consequences of a Statutory Rape Conviction in Dallas
Though these charges alone may be enough to damage a person’s reputation, the consequences of a conviction can be life-changing. Bearing that in mind, our legal team in Dallas can help you develop a comprehensive legal strategy to help you protect yourself from any of the penalties that may potentially be handed down in a conviction, including but not limited to the following:
- Mandatory minimum prison sentencing
- Lifetime registration as a sex offender
- Substantial fines imposed by the court
Though these charges are exceedingly serious, our legal team in Dallas can help you take the action necessary to defend your rights and protect your future throughout the coming legal process.
Statutory Rape in Texas
The Texas Age of Consent is 17 years old. Individuals aged 16 or younger in Texas are not legally able to consent to sexual activity, and such activity may result in prosecution for statutory rape.
Texas statutory rape law is violated when a person has consensual sexual intercourse with an individual under the age of 17. Sexual intercourse between an employee of a school and a student is also prohibited, unless they are married, and no age of consent is specified in this law.
Also, Texas doesn’t have a close-in-age exemption. Close-in-age exemptions, commonly known as ‘Romeo and Juliet laws,’ are in place to prevent the prosecution of individuals who engage in consensual sexual activity when both participants are significantly close in age to each other, and one or both partners are below the age of consent.
Since there is no ‘Romeo and Juliet law’ in Texas, it is possible for two individuals both under the age of 17 who willingly engage in intercourse to both be prosecuted for statutory rape, although this is rare. Also, no protections are reserved for sexual relations in which one participant is a 16-year-old and the second is a 17- or 18-year-old.
Texas has five statutory sexual abuse charges on the books, which are used to prosecute age-of-consent and child abuse-related crimes within the state. One or more of these charges may be used to prosecute violations of the Texas Age of Consent, as statutory rape or the Texas equivalent of that charge. The severity of the criminal charge (felony, misdemeanor, etc) depends on the specifics of the acts committed and the relative ages of the perpetrator and victim. See the chart below:
| Criminal Charge | Severity | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Aggravated sexual assault | Felony of the first degree | Maximum of life in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000 |
| Continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children | Felony of the first degree | Maximum of life in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000 |
| Indecency with a child | Felony of the second degree; Felony of the third degree | Maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000; Maximum of 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000 |
| Prohibited sexual conduct | Felony of the second degree; Felony of the third degree | Maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000; Maximum of 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000 |
| Sexual assault | Felony of the first degree | Maximum of life in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000 |
Texas has actually defined six crimes that are used to prosecute sexual assault and related crimes within the state if you were to include the ‘improper relationship between educator and student.’ Statutory laws can be used to prosecute offenses that are related to the victim being below the Texas Age of Consent. In contrast, non-statutory rape laws are often used to prosecute offenses in which the assailant used force or coercion.
Consult with a Statutory Rape Defense Attorney in Dallas
If you are dealing with serious allegations of statutory rape, you should consult with a Dallas statutory rape defense attorney at the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter immediately. To speak with a Dallas defense attorney about the particulars of the charges that have been leveled against you, please call our Dallas offices at (214) 845-7007 today.
