Houston Rape Defense Lawyer
Charged with rape in the Houston area?
A charge of rape carries severe potential penalties and the possibility of damaging your personal and professional reputation. The definition of rape is the act of intercourse without the consent of both parties. In Texas, rape is legally referred to as
sexual assault. The act of intercourse is classified as statutory rape whenever it involves a minor. A minor is someone who is under 17 years old.
According to Texas Penal Code, a person under the age of 17 is not old enough to consent to sex. Therefore, it is illegal for an adult to have sex with anyone under the age of 17 even if the minor agrees. The law does not require that the adult even know that the person is a minor as far as the statutory rape is concerned. In fact, even in cases in which the minor lies about their age and tells an adult they are 17 or older, the adult is still considered guilty.
A spouse can accuse another of marital rape even when one single act of intercourse was without consent. It is not uncommon for conflicts in marriage or a resentful or bitter divorce to result in the accusation of alleged marital rape. When someone alleges that they were forced to have sexual intercourse without their consent with a person they were dating, this is considered date rape. In situations in which the use of alcohol or drugs were present, or some other form of impairment existed of any kind, the alleged victim can be viewed as unable to give consent for intercourse. Whatever the specifics may be, any charge of rape is considered very serious and the services of a trustworthy Houston sex crime attorney should be sought at once.
How a Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Can Help
An individual's life can be utterly changed with the mere allegation of a sex crime. The consequences and stigma that result can devastate one's life, career, and relationships. The victim's testimony is pivotal in a rape case, so it becomes a matter of their word against yours. As sexual intercourse is a private matter, there are rarely eyewitnesses or anyone to confirm or corroborate the recounting of the incident. The victim's testimony alone can be the basis for a conviction.
When facing a criminal charge as serious as this, you need to be sure that you are working with an aggressive defense team that will go the distance in their efforts to protect you. If you have been accused of or charged with rape, it is vital that you retain an experienced and proven defense attorney who has a track record of defending sexual assault or rape cases.
Do not permit an accusation of rape to run havoc with your reputation and life; take action now to defend yourself against these charges. Immediate legal representation is needed if you have been charged with sexual assault or rape. At The Law Offices of Ned Barnett, my legal team is fully able to evaluate your case and provide you with the comprehensive legal advice that you need. I understand how long-lasting the consequences of accusations of this nature can be and I will therefore do everything that I can to avoid a conviction.