Dallas Sex Crime Attorney

Being accused of a sex crime in Dallas is overwhelming. The charges are serious, and the consequences can last a lifetime. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, you need someone on your side who understands Texas laws and how these cases work. At Gallian Firm, we take every case seriously and work to protect your rights from day one.

If you’ve been arrested or believe you’re under investigation, it’s important to act fast. Our Dallas sex crime lawyers know the system, and we’re ready to build a strong defense to help you move forward.

Types of Sex Crimes in Texas

Texas law covers a wide range of sex-related charges. Some are misdemeanors, but many are felonies with harsh penalties. Here are some of the most common sex crimes we handle:

• Sexual assault
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Indecency with a child
• Possession or distribution of child pornography
• Prostitution or solicitation
• Public lewdness
• Indecent exposure
• Online solicitation of a minor
• Improper relationship between educator and student
• Voyeurism
• Bestiality
• Continuous sexual abuse of a young child

Each of these crimes comes with different penalties. Some may carry jail time, others could lead to life in prison. No matter the charge, we look closely at the facts and fight to protect your future.

What Can Happen If You’re Convicted?

Getting convicted of a sex crime in Dallas can change your life. In addition to time in jail or prison, you could be forced to register as a sex offender. That registration follows you for years—sometimes forever.

Here are a few examples of the punishments that come with common sex crimes:

• Public Lewdness: Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
• Indecent Exposure: Class B misdemeanor, up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000.
• Bestiality: State jail felony or second-degree felony depending on the circumstances, with prison time ranging from 180 days to 20 years.
• Sexual Assault: Second-degree felony, 2 to 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Aggravated Sexual Assault: First-degree felony, up to 99 years or life in prison.
• Indecency with a Child: Second or third-degree felony, with prison time from 2 to 20 years.
• Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child: First-degree felony, 25 to 99 years in prison.

A conviction also affects where you can live, work, or even go online. Employers often avoid hiring people with sex crime convictions, and landlords can refuse to rent to you. For some, even family relationships fall apart. These charges carry more than legal penalties—they come with personal and social consequences.

What Is the Sex Offender Registry?

If you’re convicted of many sex crimes in Texas, you must register as a sex offender. The length of time depends on the crime.

• 10-Year Registration: This includes some lower-level charges like indecent exposure and certain types of solicitation.
• Lifetime Registration: More serious charges like sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and child-related crimes require permanent registration.

This registry is public. Your name, photo, address, and offense are available to anyone who looks it up. That means neighbors, coworkers, and others may see this information. You could be restricted from living near schools, parks, or daycares.

Failing to register or keeping your registration current is also a crime:

• Failure to Register (10-Year Requirement): State jail felony, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in jail.
• Failure to Register (Lifetime Requirement): Third-degree felony, 2 to 10 years in prison.

We know how stressful this part of the process is. Our team works hard to challenge both the charges and the long-term effects of registration.

How a Dallas Sex Crime Can Affect Your Life

A sex crime accusation alone can damage your reputation. Conviction only makes things worse. You could face:

• Jail or prison time
• Expensive fines
• Loss of your job
• Restrictions on where you can live
• Trouble getting or keeping a professional license
• Damage to personal relationships
• Loss of custody or visitation rights
• Immigration consequences if you’re not a U.S. citizen

Even after serving your sentence, you might have to deal with lifetime probation, parole, or sex offender treatment programs. These penalties can follow you for years after the case ends.

Defense Strategies for Sex Crime Charges

Just because you’re charged doesn’t mean you’re guilty. We look at every detail in your case and build a defense that fits the facts. Some of the most common defenses we use include:

• Consent: In many cases, the issue is whether both people agreed to what happened. If there was mutual consent, it may be a strong defense.
• False Accusation: Sometimes people lie out of anger, revenge, or pressure from others. We investigate the motivation behind the claim.
• Mistaken Identity: You may have been misidentified, especially if there’s no physical evidence or eyewitness testimony is unclear.
• Lack of Evidence: If the prosecution can’t prove every part of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, they don’t have a case.
• Alibi: We may be able to prove you were somewhere else when the alleged crime happened.
• Police Misconduct: If your rights were violated during the investigation or arrest, we may be able to have evidence thrown out.
• Mental Instability or False Memory (Taint Defense): In cases involving children, it’s sometimes possible to show that testimony was influenced or not reliable.

We go beyond just defending in court. We take time to understand your story, collect evidence, and challenge every part of the case.

What Happens During a Sex Crime Case?

Each case is different, but most follow a general path:

1. Investigation: Police may begin gathering evidence even before you know you’re a suspect.
2. Arrest and Charges: You’ll be formally charged and may be taken into custody.
3. Bail Hearing: We’ll work to get you released while the case moves forward.
4. Pre-Trial Motions: This is where we challenge evidence and try to weaken the prosecution’s case.
5. Trial or Plea: We prepare for trial but also explore plea deals if it makes sense for your situation.
6. Sentencing: If convicted, we’ll fight for the lowest possible sentence.
7. Appeal (if needed): We can help you challenge a conviction if your rights were violated.

We guide you through each step, answer your questions, and make sure you’re not alone during this process.

Talk to a Dallas Sex Crime Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love is facing a sex crime charge in Dallas, don’t wait to get help. The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to protect your future. At Gallian Firm, we know what’s at stake. We fight hard to keep your record clean and your name off the registry.

Call us now at (214) 432-8860 for a confidential consultation. We’re ready to listen and defend your rights.