A conviction for aggravated sexual assault in Georgetown can result in very serious penalties, including jail or prison time, a possibly permanent criminal record, requirements to register as a sex offender, steep fines, and inability to pursue certain professions, and/or a negative impact on personal relationships or reputation.
However, criminal aggravated sexual assault charges do not necessarily mean you will be convicted of the offense. The state prosecution has the very difficult burden of proving you committed every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is any doubt in the mind of the judge or jury, the charges against you may be reduced or even dismissed. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Georgetown who will help you create your best legal defense.
Georgetown Aggravated Sexual Assault Lawyer
If you have been charged with aggravated sexual assault in Georgetown, or any of the surrounding areas in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Belton or Harker Heights, contact Price & Twine, PLLC
Attorney Michael J. Price will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties and repercussions to your alleged sexual offense. Call the Price & Twine, PLLC for a free consultation at (512) 354-1880 about your aggravated sexual assault charges.
Georgetown Aggravated Sexual Assault
According to Tex. Penal Code § 22.021, an individual can be charged with aggravated sexual assault if they commit a sexual assault offense and:
- Cause serious bodily injury or attempt to cause the death of the victim during the commission of the offense;
- Causes the victim to be afraid death, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping will immediately occur through the use of words or acts;
- Threatens to cause the death, serious bodily injury or kidnapping of any person;
- Uses a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense;
- Acts as an accomplice to anyone who commits a sexual assault offense;
- Uses GHB, gamma hydroxybutyrate, roofies, Rohypnol, flunitrazepam, the Date Rape drug, ketamine, or special K or during the commission of the offense;
- The victim is under the age of 14; or
- The victim is elderly or disabled.
An individual commits a sexual assault offense if they intentionally or knowingly:
- Penetrate the anus or sex organ of another person by any means, without that person’s consent;
- Penetrate the mouth of another person with the sexual organ of the actor, without the consent of the alleged victim;
- Cause contact or penetration between the sexual organ of an non-consenting person and the mouth, anus or sexual organ of another person;
- Penetrate the mouth of a child with the sexual organ of the alleged offender;
- Cause a child’s sexual organ to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus or sexual organ of another person;
- Cause a child’s anus to contact the mouth, anus or sexual organ of another person; or
- Cause a child’s mouth to contact the anus or sexual organ of another person.
Georgetown Mental States
An individual is required to have a certain mental state before they can be convicted of an aggravated sexual assault offense, or they must act in an intentional or reckless manner. The alleged offender’s mental state is generally unique to each person, so it can be difficult for the prosecution to prove the alleged offender had a certain state of mind at the time of the offense. As defined in section 6.03 of the Texas Penal Code, these mental states are as follows:
- Intentionally – An individual acts intentionally when they commit aggravated sexual assault and it is in their conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result of the conduct.
- Knowingly – An individual acts knowingly, or with knowledge, when they commit aggravated sexual assault and they are aware their conduct is reasonably certain to cause the result of the conduct.
Aggravated Sexual Assault Penalties in Georgetown
An aggravated sexual assault offense can result in a felony of the first-degree conviction, which is punishable by five to 99 years in prison or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.
If the victim was under the age of six at the time of the offense, the alleged offender must face an increased minimum term of 25 years in prison. Additionally, if the victim was under the age of 14 and the alleged offender used a weapon during the commission of the offense, administered GHB, or caused, attempted or threatened to cause death or serious bodily injury to the victim, the alleged offender must face a minimum term of imprisonment for 25 years.
Additionally, under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, anyone who has been convicted of an aggravated sexual assault is required to register as a sex offender with their local law enforcement authority for the remainder of their life.
Price & Twine, PLLC | Round Rock Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorney
Contact the Price & Twine, PLLC today for a consultation about your aggravated sexual assault allegations throughout Williamson County in Texas. Michael J. Price is an experienced Georgetown criminal defense attorney who will make every effort to fight the allegations against you.
Contact the Price & Twine, PLLC at (512) 354-1880 for a consultation about your alleged aggravated sexual assault throughout Williamson County and Bell County in Texas.