Sex Crimes

Texas Sex Crimes and Securing Bail

Published: Aug 16, 2019 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

If you have been arrested for a sex crime, you don’t always have to await your trial behind bars. Instead, you may be eligible for bail. Bail is a deposit of money with the court that is returned to you if you attend all of your legal proceedings. It’s basically a guarantee that you will go to court instead of fleeing. A judge will determine your bail amount based on the severity of the offense, your criminal past, the likelihood that you will flee, and the danger you allegedly represent…

When Do State Offenses Become Federal Sex Crimes?

Published: Aug 09, 2019 in Criminal Defense, Federal Crimes, Sex Crimes

On July 6, 2019, international celebrity R. Kelly was arrested for federal sex crimes. Kelly has been at the center of controversy for almost two decades and has faced criminal charges in both state and federal courts. For example, in 2002 he was indicted in Chicago by the Cook County court on 21 counts of child pornography. After a lengthy and well-publicized trial, he was acquitted in 2008 after the main witness against him refused to take the stand. Now, years later, he will again face criminal charges, but this…

What You Need to Know About False Accusations of Sexual Abuse

Published: Jul 24, 2019 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

Someone may have accused you of sexually abusing a child in your life – maybe a student, neighbor, relative, or your own child – and as a result, you may be facing your worst nightmare. These types of false allegations can tear apart your family, social life, and career despite your innocence. Naturally, adults want to believe and protect children who may have been abused. Your closest loved ones can begin to distrust you. The only way to truly combat false accusations of sexual abuse is to obtain skilled and…

When Is Posting Videos Considered Revenge Porn?

Published: May 22, 2019 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

Posting revenge porn is a criminal act under Texas law, but the statute is currently being reviewed by the state’s highest court of criminal appeals. The issue is whether the law’s broad definition of revenge porn improperly criminalizes conduct that is usually protected under the right to free speech. As it stands, the definition of revenge porn extends to basically any situation where you share a recording of someone engaged in sexual conduct, and the person depicted expected that the recordings would remain private. For now, the old law remains…

A Houston Sex Crimes Lawyer Explains Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

Published: May 08, 2019 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

Aggravating and mitigating factors can have a big impact on the outcome of your sex crimes case. These are facts of the case that make your criminal liability more or less serious, respectively. Assuming that you are found guilty of wrongdoing, these factors could encourage the judge to hand down either a harsh or lenient sentence. For example, your Houston sex crimes lawyer could present evidence that you have taken responsibility for your actions, apologized to the victims, and sought to rehabilitate yourself. These mitigating factors could persuade the judge…