Criminal Defense

Public Sex in Houston: Charges & Penalties

Published: Jan 18, 2019 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

You would think that consensual sex between adults would be entirely lawful. However, that isn’t true everywhere in the United States. There are many restrictions on sexual activity to protect and not offend the public. For instance, there are limitations on where you can engage in consensual sex acts. You could face criminal charges under Texas law if you are caught having sex in public. This is a very uncomfortable and challenging situation to find yourself in. The best way to handle it is by calling a Houston sex crimes lawyer with…

Rape Pleas in Houston: What Are the Options?

Published: Jan 11, 2019 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

Rape charges carry very serious consequences. In addition to facing a significant jail or prison sentence, you will likely suffer permanent damage to your reputation if you are convicted. Sex offender registration may be necessary in your case, and such registration can impact your career, make it difficult to find housing, and even impact your immigration status and child custody. The potential consequences can be overwhelming. It’s important to note, however, that just because accusations have been made, or you have been charged, you will not necessarily be found guilty….

Child Molestation Allegations in Texas Custody Disputes

Published: Jan 04, 2019 in Child Sex Crimes, Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

When you and your children’s other parent are fighting for custody, you each may do and say things you would never have expected. It is a contentious situation that will impact your children’s lives and futures. While you may strive to obtain shared or full custody within the bounds of the law, some parents will use lies and false allegations of crimes to get ahead. At The Law Offices of Ned Barnett, we have worked with many parents who have wrongly been accused of child molestation during custody disputes. These…

Should Students Accused of Sexual Assault in Texas be Allowed to Cross Examine Their Accusers?

Published: Dec 26, 2018 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

As sexual assault victims become more vocal on college campuses, how these institutions handle accusations of sexual assault has grown more prevalent. Many universities have been accused of not having proper processes in place to protect both victims of assault and the accused. Many call for due process for all involved in these types of cases. Several federal court cases and decisions in the Midwest are likely to impact how public colleges handle these situations. In the future, it is likely that more state universities will require live hearings where…

New Diversion Program for Houston and Harris County Young Offenders

Published: Dec 03, 2018 in Criminal Defense, Juvenile Crimes

Earlier this fall, the City of Houston and Harris County launched a new program designed to keep youths out of the criminal justice system. The program is called Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD). It operates in partnership with My Brother’s Keeper, an initiative that fights to address issues young men of color face in Houston through educational programs and other activities. LEAD is a diversion program that focuses on school children who commit offenses on school property. Attucks Middle School is serving as the first home for the new program,…