Austin Sex Crimes Lawyer

Suffering an arrest for sex crimes is terrifying and can do damage to your personal and professional reputation. When you are arrested and charged with a sex crime, you need to hire an Austin sex crimes lawyer who will be real and honest with you, but who can also work hard to defend you against these charges. Whether you have been accused of rape in Hyde Park or indecent exposure in West Lake Hills, the team at Rountree Law Firm is here for you.

Why Work With the Austin Criminal Defense Team at Rountree Law Firm?

Sex crimes cases are tough; there’s just no way around that fact. That’s why, at Rountree Law Firm, we bring you experienced legal counsel that knows how the other side of the courtroom works. Before becoming a criminal defense attorney, Andrew Rountree served as a prosecutor for over a decade and knows how the opposition operates.

Whether your case is being heard at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on West 11th Street, the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center on South Congress Avenue, or the US District Court, we have the experience and knowledge needed to defend you against sex crimes.

Defining Common Sex Crimes in Austin

In Texas, there is a wide range of criminal sexual charges you can be accused of and arrested for. All of these crimes, if a conviction is secured, come with harsh penalties that can change the entire course of your future. These crimes include:

• Public lewdness. This is defined as being sexually active in a public area or in a place that would be in view of someone who may be shocked or offended by seeing sexual acts taking place. It can also include engaging in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts in a place open to public view.
• Indecent exposure. This crime can arise if an individual allegedly exposes their private parts, such as their genitals or anus, to the public with the intent to cause either the gratification of sexual desire or arousal.
• Invasive video recording. It is illegal in the state of Texas to photograph or video record any individual’s private or intimate body parts or private activities without their consent.
• Voyeurism. This crime is defined as an offense where an individual intends to arouse or gratify sexual desire by watching another individual without that individual’s consent while the individual is in their home or other structure within the scope of reasonable property.
• Indecency with a child. One in five girls and one in 20 boys are reported to be victims of child sexual abuse across the United States. Indecency with a child takes place when an individual engages in sexual contact with a child younger than 17 years old, exposes their genitals, or causes the child to expose their genitals, regardless of whether the defendant knew the child’s age or not.
• Sexual assault. It is estimated that one American is sexually assaulted nearly every minute. This offense is committed if the defendant, allegedly, has sexual intercourse, or a similar behavior, without the consent of the alleged victim. This is typically considered a second-degree felony and comes with steep consequences.
• Aggravated sexual assault. You can be charged with aggravated sexual assault if you, allegedly, use threat or force, or exhibit a deadly weapon while you are committing sexual assault, or you are committing sexual assault against a child who is younger than 14 years old, or against an elderly individual or disabled person.
• Prostitution. This crime includes any kind of act where the defendant either offers sexual services for a fee or an exchange of an item of value, or if the individual is the one purchasing the sexual services.
• Possession of child pornography. If you knowingly possess any kind of visual material of a minor engaging in any kind of sexual conduct, this is considered child pornography and is considered to be a third-degree felony in the state of Texas.
• Improper relationship between student and educator. If the employee of a school engages in any kind of sexual contact, oral sex, or sexual intercourse with their student, this is considered a sex crime, and you could face a second-degree felony charge in Austin, along with the loss of your job and teaching certificate.

If you have been accused of any of these sex crimes, the team at Rountree Law Firm is here to serve you. We know this is a frightening time. Don’t panic. Instead, call Andrew today.

Defending You Against Sex Crime Charges

The first time you might be informed of a potential sexual allegation is when a police detective calls you and tells you he is investigating you. Despite the shock that might come with that conversation your next move is very important. He may ask you about the allegation on the phone or he may ask you to come in for an interview. Before you answer or agree to an interview, it is very important that you let him know you need to consult with an attorney first. Giving a statement in a sex crime investigation is a very important, serious decision that should not be made without the help of an attorney experienced in these matters.

In Texas, every sexual crime carries a certain set of elements that the prosecution must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in order to secure a conviction. These elements might include the age of the supposed victim, if there was any kind of consent involved, and the setting of the crime itself. As your criminal defense attorneys, it is our job to call into question each and every one of these elements to defend you. Common defense strategies include:

• Arguing that you had the consent of the alleged victim in certain cases
• Showing a lack of evidence needed for a conviction
• Proving false allegations
• Attacking any DNA evidence
• Showing you are the victim of a mistaken identity
• Showing that you suffered certain procedural errors or that your constitutional rights were violated during your arrest

Experienced Legal Help You Can Trust

Contact us

Whatever your sex crimes case involves, we are here to review the details of the alleged crime and your arrest and determine what defense strategy works correctly. With Rountree Law Firm on your side, you can rest easy knowing your defense is in good hands.

Hire a Sex Crimes Lawyer Today

If you have been accused of a sex crime in Austin, there is hope. When you hire a sex crimes lawyer from Rountree Law Firm, we can fight these charges and help you avoid severe penalties. Sex crimes are often complex, meaning you need someone on your side who can explain the process to you and ensure you are aware of both your rights and legal options. If you face a sex crime charge, call 512-262-8080 today to learn more and schedule a consultation with our team.