[email protected] | November 12, 2025 | Sex Crimes
Texas has strict laws that cover a wide range of sexual offenses. These laws are designed to protect individuals from things like unwanted sexual contact, exploitation, and abuse. Many sex crimes are felonies, meaning they can result in long prison sentences as well as a lifetime on the sex offender registry.
The mere accusation of a sex crime can lead to irreversible damage to your reputation and future, notwithstanding the fact that under the law, you are innocent until proven guilty. As a result, learning about how Texas defines these offenses is important if you or someone you know is facing charges.
What Are Some Common Types of Sex Crimes in Texas?
Sex crimes in Texas are mostly found in Chapter 21 of the Texas Penal Code.
The most common include:
- Sexual assault (rape): This charge applies when someone causes sexual contact or penetration without consent.
- Aggravated sexual assault: This is a more serious version of sexual assault. It applies when a weapon is used, serious injury occurs, or the victim is under 14, elderly, or disabled.
- Indecent exposure: Showing one’s genitals to another person with the intent to arouse sexual desire can lead to this charge.
- Public lewdness: Performing sexual acts in a public place or where others can see can lead to criminal charges even if no one is directly harmed.
- Indecency with a child: This is one of the most severe charges in Texas. It includes sexual contact or exposure involving anyone under 17 and can result in decades in prison.
- Possession or distribution of child pornography: Owning or sharing explicit material involving minors is a felony. Each image can be charged separately, leading to multiple counts.
- Online solicitation of a minor: Communicating with or attempting to meet a person under 17 for sexual purposes can result in felony charges.
- Sex trafficking or exploitation: Profiting from sexual acts involving others, especially minors, can be prosecuted under both state and federal law.
What these charges all have in common is that they can lead to penalties much more severe than other categories of crimes, at least generally speaking.
Penalties for Sex Crimes in Texas
The punishment for sex crimes in Texas depends on many factors, including the type of offense in question, the age of the alleged victim, and whether violence or coercion was involved.
Convictions can lead to:
- Two years to life in prison
- Fines up to $10,000
- Mandatory sex offender registration
- Loss of parental rights
- Loss of professional licenses
People convicted of these crimes often face lifelong restrictions on where they can live and work, among other potential collateral consequences.
Intent and Consent
In many sex crime cases, the main legal issues involve intent and consent. Prosecutors must prove that the defendant acted intentionally and that the alleged victim did not agree to the sexual conduct.
However, these questions can be complicated, and these cases can be highly fact-sensitive. This is one reason (among many) why having a defense attorney on your side is critical from the start.
The Importance of Early Legal Intervention
Being accused of a sex crime in Texas triggers an immediate and complex legal process. From the moment of accusation, law enforcement and prosecutors begin gathering evidence that can be used against you.
Early intervention by a criminal defense lawyer can help protect your constitutional rights, prevent self-incrimination, and ensure that any potentially exculpatory evidence is preserved. The earlier an attorney becomes involved, the better the chances of challenging unlawful searches, questioning witness credibility, and crafting a strong defense strategy before formal charges are filed.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately if You’ve Been Charged With a Sex Crime
If you’re accused of a sex crime in Texas, your freedom and future are on the line. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can investigate the facts of your case, and, from there, work toward a favorable resolution as best as the law can allow.
Legal representation can make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal or reduced charge, so contact an attorney today to schedule an initial consultation.
Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers
604 E 4th St Ste 101
Fort Worth, TX 76102