A conviction for indecency with a child throughout Dallas and the surrounding cities can result in serious penalties and repercussions, such as:
- A jail or prison sentence;
- A criminal record;
- An inability to apply for certain jobs, professions or occupations;
- An inability to be admitted into certain educational programs;
- An inability to own or possess a firearm;
- Fines;
- Ineligibility to vote or hold public office;
- Public humiliation or embarrassment; and/or
- Requirements to register as a sex offender.
Indecency with a child can involve a number acts, including, but not limited to: fondling, touching, exposure of genitals, rape, child abuse, sexual assault, molestations, child prostitution and child pornography.
Even if you have been accused of indecency with a child, you do not necessarily have to face a conviction. The prosecution must first prove you committed every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, which can be a very difficult burden of proof to establish. If the judge or jury has any doubt you committed every element of the offense, the charges against you may be reduced or even dropped altogether. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to help you begin developing the best defense for your particular situation.
Indecency with a Child Defense Lawyer in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, TX
If you have been charged with indecency with a child in Dallas, contact the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today at (972) 233-5700 for a consultation about your alleged offense in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, and surrounding areas of Dallas County, Texas. Our firm will work to potentially get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed.
Richard McConathy is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Dallas, TX representing individuals accused of sexual offenses in Dallas and will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties and repercussions. Call Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy for a free consultation at (972) 233-5700 about your alleged indecency with a child offense.
Fort Worth Indecency with a Child Offenses
As defined in the Texas Penal Code § 21.11(a)(1), an individual can be charged with indecency with a child by contact if they participate in any sexual contact with a child, juvenile, underage person or minor under the age of 17. An individual can also be charged with this offense if they cause a child, minor, underage person or juvenile under the age of 17 to participate in any form of sexual contact.
The Texas Penal Code § 21.11(c) defines sexual contact as engaging in any of the following forms of conduct with the intent to arouse any person or gratify the sexual desires of any person:
- Using the breast, anus or any part of the genitals to touch any part of a child’s body, including through clothing; or
- Touching any part of the genitals, anus or breast of a child, including through clothing.
According to the Texas Penal Code § 21.11(a)(2), an individual can be charged with indecency with a child by exposure if they commit any of the following acts with a child, minor, juvenile or person under the age of 17 with the intent to arouse any person or to gratify the sexual desire of any person:
- Cause the child to expose any part of their anus or genitals; or
- Knowing a child is present, expose any part of the genitals or anus.
Dallas Indecency with a Child Penalties
According to Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code, an individual charged with indecency with a child offense can face any of the following statutory penalties and consequences if they are convicted of the offense:
- An individual charged with an indecency with a child offense where the alleged offender exposed their genitals when a child was present or caused a child’s genitals to be exposed can be convicted of a felony of the third degree, which is generally punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence ranging from two to 10 years.
- An individual charged with indecency with a child offense where the alleged offender caused the child to engage in sexual contact or engaged in sexual contact with the child can be convicted of a felony of the second degree, which is generally punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence ranging from two to 20 years.
Find A Dallas County Defense Attorney for Indecency with a Child Attorney | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Contact Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today for a consultation about your alleged indecency with a child throughout Dallas County in Texas. Richard McConathy is an aggressive sex crimes defense lawyer in Dallas who will make every effort to fight the allegations against you.
Contact the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today at (972) 233-5700 for a consultation about your alleged offense in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, and surrounding areas of Dallas County, Texas. Our firm will work to potentially get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed.