What Happens to Registered Sex Offenders Who Are Charged with Subsequent Sex Crimes?

The rate of sex crime arrests has been increasing in Houston since the beginning of 2018. The accusation, and potential conviction, of a sex crime can have a devastating impact on your life. The penalties associated with sex offenses are severe. These consequences become more severe, however, if you are charged with subsequent sex crimes.

If you are convicted of multiple sexual offenses, you face several negative outcomes, including increased prison time and higher fines. Being convicted of a subsequent sex crime could even affect whether or not you are eligible for alternative sentences that would allow you to avoid these penalties.

If you are facing charges for subsequent sex crimes, contact a Houston sexual assault lawyer from The Law Offices of Ned Barnett. Call us today at (713) 222-6767, or reach out online to schedule a free and confidential case consultation.

What are the Consequences of Subsequent Sex Crime Convictions?

There are a number of increased penalties you can face when charged with a subsequent sex crime, including:

Increased Prison Time
In the state of Texas, sexual assault is classified as a second-degree felony. According to Section 12.33 of the Texas Penal Code, this level of offense carries a punishment of two to twenty years in prison. If you are a first-time sexual offender, a judge may be more inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt and sentence you to less time in prison. If, however, you have been convicted of a previous sexual offense, it is far more likely that you will face a longer prison sentence as punishment for your second conviction.

Additionally, a judge may increase the categorization of your subsequent sex crime from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. A first-degree felony is punishable in Texas by a prison sentence of five to 99 years or life. This increase in felony classification is more likely to occur in situations where you have previously been convicted of a sex crime.

Increased Fines
An increase in possible prison time is not the only negative consequence of a subsequent sex crime conviction; such a judgment can also cost you more money. The Texas Penal Code states that a person found guilty of a felony in the second degree can be fined up to $10,000. Just as a judge is more likely to give someone who has not been convicted of a previous sexual offense a shorter prison sentence, a judge is also more likely to give someone who has not been previously convicted of a sex crime a smaller fine as well. If you have already been convicted of a sexual crime, you will likely face the maximum fine of $10,000 for any subsequent sex crime convictions.

Eligibility for Alternative Penalties
Some areas in Texas have alternative forms of punishments that non-violent offenders can participate in rather than paying a fine or going to prison. These programs often include community service or counseling. While many sex offenses are also violent crimes, a judge may see fit to allow a non-violent, first-time sex offender to participate in one of these programs rather pay a hefty fine or go to prison. If you have already been convicted of a sex crime, however, it is unlikely that a judge will allow you to participate in one of these programs rather than face penalties for any subsequent sex crime convictions.

Charged With a Subsequent Sex Crime? Call Us Today for Help

For someone who has already been convicted of a sexual offense, a subsequent sex crime conviction can cause devastating consequences. A knowledgeable sexual assault lawyer from The Law Offices of Ned Barnett can assist you with any questions you may have regarding subsequent sex crime cases, and help protect you from the increased penalties that go along with such situations. For a free, initial case evaluation, contact us today by calling (713) 222-6767.