Sex Crimes

Should I Try to Convince My Accuser to Drop Sexual Assault Charges

Published: Dec 17, 2019 in Sex Crimes

If you’ve been accused of a sexual assault, you probably thought about making contact with your accuser and trying to convince them to drop the charges. Not only is it generally a bad idea to talk to the alleged victim in a criminal case, the victim doesn’t even have the power to drop the charges. And contrary to popular belief, victims don’t decide to press charges in the first place–this decision is up to the prosecutor’s office and in more serious cases, a grand jury. In the rare circumstances where…

What are Harris County Child Sex Abuse Charges?

Published: Dec 13, 2019 in Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

If you are facing Harris County child sex abuse charges, you need to act fast to avoid devastating criminal penalties and the collateral consequences of a sex crime conviction. The stakes are particularly high when the alleged victim is a child, because of enhanced penalties and increased pressure on the judge and prosecutor to bring the suspect to justice. This means that you will need to fight hard to prove your innocence and clear your name. Fortunately, a Houston child sex crimes lawyer can review your case and give it…

The Problems with Rapid DNA Tests in Houston Rape Cases

Published: Dec 11, 2019 in Sex Crimes

Law enforcement and prosecutors in Texas and across the nation are struggling to deal with the harsh realities of investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases. Hundreds of thousands of so-called rape kits, containing samples of fabrics, hair, and fluids collected from rape victims, remain untested. As a result, the sampling, storage, and testing procedures often result in the wrong suspect being identified and prosecuted. Authorities are turning to new DNA testing technologies to work through their backlogs. One such method, Rapid DNA testing, takes two to three hours and can…

Why Do Children Make False Sex Crime Allegations?

Published: Oct 29, 2019 in Child Sex Crimes, Juvenile Crimes, Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Involving Children

It’s always terrible when a child accuses an adult of a sex crime. When a child claims sexual exploitation by an adult, it stains families and the child in particular. However, while many claims are accurate, many are not. This leaves innocent adults accused, but why would a child make a false claim? If you’re facing sex crime charges because a child made a false allegation, you need to take the situation seriously. Call Houston criminal defense attorney Ned Barnett at (713) 222-6767, and discuss your next steps in a…

Sending Unsolicited Nudes is Now a Crime in Texas

Published: Oct 22, 2019 in Sex Crimes

Sending nude photos to someone without consent is never a good idea. But now it is a crime under Texas law. Even in situations where sending the material was consensual, relationships sour and false allegations could put you in a difficult legal position. If you find yourself charged with a crime relating to sending sexually explicit materials, contact The Law Offices of Ned Barnett at (713) 222-6767. During a free and confidential consultation, we will review the facts and guide your next steps. New Texas Law Covers Sexually Explicit Material…