The mere accusation – even if it is false – of child molestation immediately turns your life upside down. You can lose your job, family, and reputation in the blink of an eye. Then, it takes years to get it all back, if you ever do. You also may have to live with being a “registered sex offender” for the rest of your life.
Take a minute to learn about child molestation law in Texas:
At a general level, Texas defines child molestation as “indecency, sexual contact, or sexual abuse…of anyone under the age of 17.” Sexual abuse includes when an individual or group attempts to gain sexual gratification from a child, or exposes their own genitals or those of a child.
Texas defines continuous sexual abuse of a child (Penal Code §21.02) as two or more acts of sexual abuse committed over a period of 30 or more days, when the actor is 17 or older and the victim is a child younger than 14. It is a first-degree felony.
Continuous sexual abuse carries a punishment of 25 to 99 years or life, and a person convicted of it is not eligible for parole. It is one of the offenses for which a judge may not order regular community supervision (Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054).
What Defines “Sexual Abuse” Against a Child?
Texas says actions that fit under these categories are “sexual abuse:”
- Engaging in sexual conduct that harms a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare
- Not taking enough reasonable action to stop sexual conduct from happening to a child
- Either compelling or urging a child to engage in sexual conduct
- Causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging in, or allowing the filming or depicting of a child engaging in obscene or pornographic behavior
- Allowing the sexual performance of a child
What is the Statute of Limitations for Child Molestation?
For the sexual assault or sexual abuse of a child, there is no statute of limitations at all. If you commit this crime at any point in your life, the Texas legal system can punish you.
What Makes the Sexual Assault of a Child “Aggravated?”
First, the child must be under 14. Second, you must either use a deadly weapon or have the potential to cause serious bodily injury. Texas Penal Code Section 22.021 also outlines several additional behaviors that make the sexual assault of a child aggravated:
You intentionally or knowingly:
- Cause the penetration of a child’s anus or sexual organ in any way
- Make the sexual organ of another person contact the child
- Cause a child’s anus to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person or yourself
- Cause the mouth of a child to contact your own sexual organs or anus, or those of another person
There’s much more to Texas child molestation law than that. But it’s a brief overview.
While most child sexual assault claims are valid, some are falsely made. If you have been accused of child molestation, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer today.
Starr Law, P.C. can post your bond to get your freedom while we defend your case.