If you were accused of sexual assault, your entire life could be negatively impacted. Your employers, coworkers, classmates, friends, and family might lose trust in you.
Not to mention, a conviction could limit your social and professional opportunities for the rest of your life. With a Houston sexual assault lawyer from Blass Law on your side, you can avoid the potentially detrimental consequences of a criminal conviction.
Sexual assault charges should not be taken lightly, so you’ll want a Houston sex crime lawyer who will stand up for your rights. Don’t wait to protect your future – call us now to discuss your case during a confidential case evaluation.
Why You Should Hire Jay Blass to Fight Against Your Sexual Assault Charges in Houston
Our founder and experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer will fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Not only is he well-versed in building strong criminal defense strategies, but he is also a Forensic Lawyer-Scientist. Some of his other qualifications include:
- Superlawyer
- Member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
- Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Read what former clients say about working with Blass Law:
- “Mr. Cohen is an amazing lawyer. About 17 months ago, my life was turned upside down with a first-degree felony charge…Due to intensive research, Mr. Cohen was able to get my case dismissed due to prolonged detention and provide me with a second chance at life.” – Tyler
- “Mr. Cohen was recommended to me by another attorney…who had nothing but great things to say about him. Professional and aggressive. Listens to you. Immediately saw how wrong my arrest was. He kept me informed and was successful in my defense. Took a very dark time, continued to reassure me and gave me hope. Excellent representation! NOT GUILTY! He will always be a brother to me.” – Charles
We Have Protected the Freedoms and Futures of Many Accused of Sexual Assault
Our mantra is Keeping Innocent People Innocent. We’re dedicated to it, and we’re good at it. One of our case results includes someone who was accused of continuous sexual assault of a child. The case went to trial in front of a Harris County jury, and our client was found not guilty.
We’ll fight for dropped or reduced charges, an acquittal, or a not-guilty verdict.
For a legal consultation with a sexual assault lawyer serving Houston, call (713) 225-1900
What a Sexual Assault Lawyer from Our Firm Will Do to Protect Your Rights
If you hire a Houston sexual assault lawyer from Blass Law, we will do everything possible to protect you from the harsh penalties associated with sexual assault crimes. You can count on Jay Cohen and the Blass Law team to:
- Explain what to expect throughout your case so that you’re prepared for each step of the legal process
- Gather evidence to support your defense, such as witness statements and surveillance footage
- Build a defense strategy that aims to keep you out of jail
- Explain the laws that apply to your case
- Answer all your questions, ensuring you’re well-informed about any case decisions you need to make
- Fighting your case in front of a jury at trial
- Assess the details of your case to determine any violations of your rights
- Negotiating a favorable plea deal
- Preparing you and any witnesses for trial
- Keeping you informed about any updates in your case
When you hire our team, we do not back down. Blass Law will fight for the case outcome you deserve.
Houston Sexual Assault Attorney (713) 225-1900
How does Texas Law Define Sexual Assault?
Texas law defines sexual assault in Texas Penal Code 22.011. It states that a person has committed sexual assault if they knowingly or intentionally and without consent:
- “causes the penetration of” another person’s sexual organ or anus in any way
- “causes the penetration of” another person’s mouth with their (the actor’s) sexual organ
- “causes the sexual organ of another person” to penetrate someone else’s mouth, sexual organ, or anus
You can also face sexual assault charges if you allegedly engaged in sexual acts with someone you are legally prohibited from marrying, “living with under the appearance of being married,” or engaging in sexual intercourse with (e.g., a family member, such as a child or stepchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle, cousin, or niece or nephew).
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How does Texas Law Define Aggravated Sexual Assault?
Per Texas Penal Code 22.021, you could face aggravated sexual assault charges if you allegedly committed any of the actions detailed in Texas Penal Code 22.011 AND one or more of the following factors was present:
- You allegedly caused serious bodily injury or death.
- You allegedly threatened the alleged victim with trafficking, kidnapping, serious bodily harm, or death.
- You allegedly used or brandished a deadly weapon.
- You allegedly drugged the victim.
- The alleged victim was under 14, regardless of whether you knew or not.
- The alleged victim is elderly or disabled.
A Houston aggravated sexual assault lawyer can defend your future.
What Constitutes “Without Consent”?
Per Texas law, both parties must give consent for a sexual act to be legal. Here are a few examples of what constitutes “without consent”:
- The actor used physical force or violence against the person.
- The actor coerced the person.
- The actor threatened physical force or violence against the person (and the person believes the threat is legitimate).
- The actor threatened physical force or violence against another person (and the person believes the threat is legitimate).
- The person has not consented, and is unconscious or otherwise unable to consent (e.g., incapacitated or otherwise physically unable to resist).
- The person has not consented, and the actor knows that the person is not aware that the assault is occurring.
- The person has a mental illness that leaves them incapable of understanding what is occurring or of resisting it.
- The actor drugged the person without their knowledge.
- The actor uses their position as a public servant to coerce the person.
- The actor uses their position as a mental healthcare or a healthcare provider to coerce the person.
- The actor uses their position as a teacher, coach, or tutor to exploit the person sexually.
- The actor uses their position as a clergyman (and the person’s emotional dependency) to coerce or exploit the person.
- The actor uses their position as a caregiver to abuse the person.
- The actor uses their position as an employee of a facility in which the person resides to abuse the person.
Complete a Sexual Assault Case Evaluation form now
What Other Charges Could Land Me in Jail or Prison?
There are several charges related to sexual assault that could end with you behind bars:
- Statutory rape
- Sex trafficking
- Sexual abuse
- Indecency with a minor
- Child pornography (possession or distribution)
- Solicitation of a minor
Penalties You Could Face If You Are Found Guilty of Sexual Assault in Houston, TX
According to Texas Penal Code § 22.011, you could face second- or first-degree felony charges if you are found guilty of sexual assault in Houston. You face first-degree felony charges if you are convicted of aggravated sexual assault. Offenses like these come with penalties that include:
- Up to 20 years in prison for a second-degree felony
- Up to $10,000 in fines for a second- or first-degree felony
- Up to 99 years in prison for a first-degree felony
You may also be required to register as a sex offender according to the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program. Generally, you will have to include your name, address, and a photo of yourself. This information is accessible to the public, so anyone who knows your name will be able to find your information on the sex offender registry.
With our Houston sexual assault lawyer on your side, you could avoid all these penalties. We will gather evidence and fight the prosecution to help you live your life freely.
Additional Consequences of a Houston Sexual Assault Conviction
You might face more than just legal penalties if you are found guilty of sexual assault. Some of the non-legal consequences of a criminal record include:
- You might lose any professional licenses you hold.
- You could have trouble securing housing.
- You might not be able to keep your current job, and finding a new one might be troublesome.
- You could lose scholarships and memberships to campus organizations, and applying to colleges might be more difficult for you.
- If you have children, you could lose custody and your rights to visit them might be limited.
When you hire Blass Law, our legal team is on your side, fighting to ensure your life is not negatively impacted by criminal accusations.
Will I Go to Jail If Convicted of Sexual Assault?
In almost every case, if convicted, you will have to spend time behind bars. However, you will likely face prison time for sexual assault, not jail time.
As we stated above, sexual assault is a second- or first-degree felony. A second-degree felony conviction comes with at least two years in prison. If you are convicted of first-degree felony sexual assault, you face at least five years in prison. If certain aggravating factors are present, you could face a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Will I Lose My Job Even If I’m Not Convicted of Sexual Assault?
It’s possible that you will lose your job, regardless of whether the charges were dropped or you received a not-guilty verdict. Texas is an “at-will employment” state, which means your employer can terminate your employment for almost any reason.
However, you should remember that you will almost certainly lose your job if you are convicted. Even the most understanding boss likely won’t keep your job unfilled while you’re behind bars for two years or longer.
This is why it is so important to have a competent attorney handle your case. You don’t want an inexperienced lawyer or a public defender botching your case. You want Jay and the Blass Law team working on your defense.
Defenses Our Law Firm Can Use Against Sexual Assault Accusations
Once we understand the details of your case, our attorney can start building your defense strategy. Some of the defenses we could use against sexual assault charges include:
- Mistaken identity. If you were misidentified as the perpetrator, we will do everything we can to prove it. This means gathering several types of evidence, including statements from anyone who saw you the day of the crime, DNA evidence from the accident scene, and cell phone records.
- Alibi. We can prove you were not at the scene of the crime when it occurred. We will collect witness statements, surveillance footage, and cell phone records to demonstrate that you were not at the crime scene and, therefore, did not commit the assault.
- Consent. In some cases, we can prove that you did, in fact, have consent. We can collect witness statements and cell phone records to establish that the alleged victim consented to the sexual acts.
- The alleged victim lied. Sometimes, people lie about sexual assault. We may be able to prove that the alleged victim made up the story.
Call Blass Law Today for Legal Defense Against Sexual Assault
Our attorney, Jay Cohen, does not back down when it comes to defending the rights of his clients. Blass Law will do everything we can to help you avoid prison time, fines, and the other penalties associated with sexual assault crimes in Houston.
Get started with us today by calling for your confidential consultation. Let us get to work keeping you innocent.
Call or text (713) 225-1900 or complete a Case Evaluation form
