Sex Crimes Involving Children

Is Groping Illegal in Texas?

Published: Dec 05, 2020 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

Being accused of touching someone inappropriately is always serious. In the past, groping was only punishable with a small fine, but in 2019 Texas raised the severity of groping, defining it as “indecent sexual assault,” and making it a class A misdemeanor. Don’t take an allegation that you groped someone lightly or try to handle things on your own. You could face a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Charged with groping or any sexual assault? Call The Law Offices of Ned Barnett at (713) 222-6767, or reach out…

Can Questionable Child Porn Tracking Software Result in Dismissal?

Published: Sep 15, 2020 in Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

The Child Protection System is a forensic software program that helps police departments across the United States identify child pornography offenders. However, as with just about every type of computer software, this program faces growing privacy concerns as its scope expands. If you’ve unexpectedly gotten caught up in a child pornography case in Harris County, TX, it is crucial to take it seriously and work with an experienced defense lawyer right away. This is especially true if you or your IP address was allegedly identified by some computer software. An…

Forensic Interviews of Child Sex Crime Victims in Houston

Published: Aug 26, 2020 in Sex Crimes Involving Children

If you have been accused of a sex crime in Houston, you have a long road ahead of you—especially if the allegations involve children. In many cases, a child’s claims are considered true before they’re proven. But the long-standing misbelief that children don’t lie about sexual abuse continues to be disproved. If you find yourself accused of a child sex crime in Houston, it is crucial to take it seriously and work with an experienced defense lawyer. At some point during the process, the alleged victim will likely undergo one…

When are Prior Bad Acts Allowed in Texas Sex Crimes: Is Your Past Haunting You?

Published: Jul 23, 2020 in Child Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

When you’re charged with a sex crime in Texas, you can bet that the police will dig into your past. They’re looking for skeletons in your closet, like past convictions or arrests. The bigger, the better. They’ll specifically look for prior sex crimes that might be related to the current case, like if you’re accused of child molestation and were previously convicted of statutory rape as a young adult. In certain cases, prior bad acts are admissible evidence in sex crimes. But you shouldn’t let the prosecution use your criminal…

Sex Crime Plea Agreements: Is it a Good Deal?

Published: Jun 25, 2020 in Child Sex Crimes, Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

In Harris County, Texas criminal cases are often resolved by plea agreements. Pleas are made between you and the prosecution, where you agree to plead guilty to select charges for a certain penalty. While pleas must be approved by the judge, they avoid costly trials and increase efficiency. They are also helpful to avoid unnecessarily harsh sentences – especially when sex crimes are involved. However, plea agreements still result in convictions, and there may be unintended consequences to accepting. So, if prosecutors offer you a plea in a sex crime…