Child Sex Crimes

Know the Law: What’s The Age of Consent in Texas?

Published: Jul 21, 2025 in Child Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

Every state, including Texas, has an age at which an individual can legally consent to sex. Before this, a minor cannot lawfully consent to sexual intercourse or other actions. This can put adolescents and young adults at odds with the law. It can even result in severe statutory rape charges, despite the activity being consensual. If you are accused of having sex with someone younger than the age of consent, contact a Houston sex crimes lawyer from The Law Offices of Ned Barnett right away. Statutory rape is serious, so…

Can You Be Charged With Online Solicitation if You Never Met?

Published: Jun 08, 2025 in Child Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

Online solicitation charges have become increasingly common in Houston recently. But this isn’t necessarily because more and more Texans are engaging in these crimes. Many of these people have never even met the people they were accused of soliciting online. But just because you never met doesn’t mean you can’t be charged. Internet stings have made it possible for police to arrest pedophiles and others engaging in online solicitation of a minor. But it has also led to many wrongful arrests. A Houston sex crimes defense lawyer can help you…

Bench Trials vs. Jury Trials in Houston Child Sex Crime Cases

Published: Apr 28, 2025 in Child Sex Crimes, Criminal Defense

The Sixth Amendment guarantees your right to a speedy public trial decided by an impartial jury or your peers if you have been accused of a crime. Despite this right, some defendants and their lawyers choose to have their case heard by a judge only. This is called a bench trial. Whether it’s a good idea or not to waive your right to a jury trial depends on the situation. For instance in a Houston child sex crime case it will depend on the nature of the allegations, the defenses…

Can You Be Charged with Child Porn Created by AI in Texas?

Published: Apr 04, 2025 in Child Sex Crimes, Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes Involving Children

It’s no secret that artificial intelligence is changing the world. AI is also changing how the law views digital content. From auto-generated art to deepfake videos, AI can now create things that look incredibly real, including images that cross serious legal lines – especially when AI is used to create or manipulate sexually explicit images involving minors. Even if there’s no real child involved—just a digitally generated or manipulated image—you can still face serious criminal charges related to child pornography. And as a recent case in Houston shows, law enforcement…

What Are Enticing a Child Charges?

Published: Nov 12, 2024 in Child Sex Crimes

Enticing a child is a serious charge under Texas law, covered in Texas Penal Code §25.04. This offense involves attempting to lure or persuade a minor, typically with the intent of removing them from their parent or guardian’s care. In Texas, enticing a child is taken very seriously, especially when there’s suspicion that the child was being enticed for unlawful purposes. Knowing how this charge works can help both defendants and families understand the stakes and consequences involved. If you are facing such allegations, consulting with an enticing a child…