Indecency With a Child can be a particularly difficult conviction to live with in Central Texas. Sex offenses are severely looked down upon by society, but anything involving a minor can be much worse. You could forever be labeled a “child predator,” with even your family members hesitant to allow you near your nieces, nephews or grandchildren. Worse, the charges are frequently brought based on the faded, obscure or even imagined memories of children, and interpreted through prosecutors eager to put a child predator conviction under their belt.
Georgetown Indecency With a Child Defense Lawyer
A tough, experienced criminal defense attorney can help you fight indecency charges. Michael J. Price is a Georgetown indecency with a child lawyer who has decades of combined experience defending the constitutional rights of the accused in Central Texas courts.
When facing a sex offense charge, you may feel like the world is against you. Michael will be on your side, negotiating with prosecutors and challenging their evidence on your behalf. If you face indecency with a child charges, call Price & Twine, PLLC today at (512) 354-1880.
Michael J. Price represents the accused throughout Williamson County and Bell County, including Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Belton and Harker Heights.
Defining Indecency With a Child Charges in Texas
Texas Penal Code § 21.11 lays out the crime of Indecency With a Child. Under the law, a person commits the offense of Indecency With a Child if he or she engages in sexual contact with a child who is younger than 17 years old, and is not the person’s spouse, or causing such a child to engage in sexual contact with the accused or another person.
“Sexual contact” means any touching, done to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of any person, by a person of the anus, breast or genitals of a child, or touching any part of a child’s body with another person’s anus, breast or genitals. This includes touching through clothing.
You might also be charged with Indecency With a Child if accused of, with intent to satisfy sexual desires, exposing your anus or genitals to a child or in a situation where you knew a child was present, or cause a child to expose his or her genitals or anus.
Penalties for Indecency With a Child in Williamson County
Indecency With a Child is two offenses. If convicted of charges of exposing yourself to a child or causing a child to expose himself or herself, you will be punished for a third-degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. If convicted of touching a child or causing a child to touch another person, including yourself, in sexual contact, it is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
However, prison time and fine are far from the only negative consequences you might face. If convicted, you will be required to register as a sex offender. Your neighbors will be notified, and your name, photo, place of employment, address and conviction will be put on a public database, available to anyone with internet access. It may be difficult to find a job when the employer knows the business’s address will be listed as where a sex offender works. You may see your neighbors pulling their children indoors as you walk down the street. You may find yourself subject to harassment.
Defense to Indecency With a Child in Georgetown
The district attorney will have to prove every element of his or her allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s a tough standard to prove, but Bell County and Williamson County prosecutors do it nearly every day. A Georgetown sex crime defense lawyer, though, can find the holes and weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case, and seek to get the charges reduced or dismissed.
Sometimes, indecency with a child charges can be based on little more than the words of a child. A child can misunderstand details, imagine situations or even lie. Moreover, when a child communicates his or her thoughts to an adult, the adult may not understand. An adult with a vendetta can even manipulate a child into telling a fabricated tale.
Price & Twine, PLLC | Round Rock Child Indecency Attorney
If you’ve been accused of indecency with a child, Georgetown criminal defense lawyer Michael J. Price will fight for your rights. Contact Price & Twine, PLLC today at (512) 354-1880.