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Houston Child Sex Crime Defense Attorney

Houston Child Sex Crime Defense Attorney

Child Sex Offense Lawyer in the City of Houston, TX, Defends the Freedom and Reputation of Clients Facing Charges of Sex Crimes Against Minors in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Texas

Were you accused of committing a sex crime against a child? Facing child sex crime charges can have a devastating impact on your reputation and future, even if you are ultimately acquitted. You deserve aggressive legal representation who will fight for your rights and interest. Let a Houston child sex crime defense attorney from Chernoff Law help.

I am attorney Ed Chernoff. I have been practicing criminal law for more than 35 years. During that time, I worked on both sides of the criminal courtroom. I spent five years as one of the top-performing prosecutors in the Harris County DA’s office. In 1991, I left the prosecutor’s office to use the knowledge and insights I gained to represent people accused of crimes. Over the years, I’ve advocated on behalf of thousands of clients and taken over 150 cases to trial in Houston and across the country. 

Reach out to my criminal defense firm for a free case evaluation to go over your legal options with a child sex offense lawyer in the City of Houston, TX. Let me help you fight your charges and pursue a favorable resolution to your case. 

Facing Criminal Charges in Texas and Have Questions? I’m Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Ed Chernoff, And I Can Protect You. Call My Office Today at 713-222-9141 or Fill Out My Online Contact Form For a Free Consultation About Your Case.

What Are Child Sex Crimes?

Under Title 5, Chapter 21 of the Texas Penal Code, child sex crimes include:

  • Continuous sexual abuse of a young child – Committing two or more acts of sexual abuse over a period of 30 days or more, where the perpetrator is 17 years old or older and the victim(s) is under the age of 14. 
  • Indecency with a child – Engaging in sexual contact with a child or causing a child to engage in sexual contact, exposing a person’s anus or genitals to a child, or exposing a child’s anus or genitals with the intent to gratify the sexual desire of any person.
  • Improper relationship between educator and student – An employee of a public or private primary or secondary school who engages in sexual contact, or sexual intercourse, or deviates from sexual intercourse with a person enrolled at the school. 

Chapter 22 also outlaws sexual assault of a child, defined as penetrating the anus or sexual organ of a child, penetrating the mouth of a child with the perpetrator’s sexual organ, or causing a child’s anus or mouth to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person. Sexual assault is graded as an aggravated offense if the crime:

  • Causes serious bodily injury or attempts to cause a child’s death or the death of another person
  • Places a child victim in fear of death, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping
  • Involves the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon
  • Involves two people acting in concert with one another
  • Involves administering a substance intended to impair the child’s ability to understand or resist a sexual act
  • The child victim is younger than 14 years old

Other child sex crimes can include producing, possessing, and/or distributing child pornography.

Penalties for a Child Sex Crime Conviction

Child sex crimes are typically graded as felony offenses. Penalties for a conviction for a sex offense against a child can include:

  • Third-degree felony: Imprisonment for two to 10 years, and a potential fine of up to $10,000
  • Second-degree felony: Imprisonment for two to 20 years, and a potential fine of up to $10,000
  • First-degree felony: Imprisonment for life, or a term of 5 to 99 years, and a potential fine of up to $10,000; in many circumstances, first-degree felony sex crimes against children have mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years of imprisonment

In addition to prison time and fines, a child sex crime conviction will usually carry the requirement to register as a sex offender. Registration requirements include verifying registration information at least once a year, as well as when moving or visiting somewhere for an extended period. Committing sex crimes against children may also result in an offender being designated a sexual predator, which carries a lifetime registration requirement and other restrictions. 

What Can a Houston Child Sex Crime Defense Attorney Do to Help You Pursue a Favorable Resolution to Your Charges

Being accused of committing sex crimes against a child is a serious situation. Your freedom, reputation, and future are at stake. Get the experienced legal representation you need from a child sex offense lawyer in the City of Houston, TX. When you hire me to represent you in your criminal case, you can expect that I will:

  • Provide dedicated, compassionate support through the process, answering questions you have and keeping you updated on the progress of your case
  • Thoroughly investigate your charges to obtain evidence that I can use to build an effective defense strategy on your behalf
  • Advocate for your rights by filing motions to exclude evidence or statements that were unlawfully obtained from you by the police
  • Test the prosecution’s case by moving to reduce or dismiss your charges for insufficient evidence
  • Fight for the best possible resolution to your charges, whether that means negotiating a favorable plea agreement to avoid the harshest consequences of conviction, or using my decades of courtroom experience to present a strong, persuasive case in your defense
★★★★★

I don’t have the words to express how grateful we are for Mr. Chernoff and his team. They always kept us updated and were available for any questions we had. They were able to obtain the best possible outcome. I would definitely use him again and highly recommend him.

Susan Purdy

★★★★★

Ed saved my life and career. Incredible lawyer if you’re in trouble.

Jay Bui

★★★★★

He put my fears at ease and helped me get my case dismissed and my life back on track. I would highly recommend hiring Ed and letting him do the same for you.

Jordan Charles

Contact Chernoff Law to Learn More About Your Rights and Options from a Knowledgeable Child Sex Offense Lawyer in the City of Houston, TX

Don’t leave the outcome of your criminal case to chance. Get experienced legal counsel that can make a difference. Contact me today for a confidential consultation to learn more about what a Houston child sex crime defense attorney can do to help you contest your charges and defend your rights and freedom. 

Chernoff Law is Committed to Answering Your Questions. I Offer a Free Consultation and I’ll Gladly Discuss Your Case With You at Your Convenience. Contact Me Today to Schedule an Appointment.

Houston Child Sex Crime Defense Attorney Answers Frequently Asked Questions about Child Sex Crimes in Houston, TX

Will I be granted bail if I am charged with child sex crimes?

If you are arrested for a sex crime against a child, you may not be granted bail. Prosecutors and magistrates often deny bail to defendants who are facing serious violent crimes due to the concern that someone charged with a serious offense may be a flight risk. Sex crimes against children may be viewed as a particularly serious criminal offense, particularly if violent force was used in the crime.

Should I agree to answer questions from the police?

You should never agree to answer questions in a police interrogation or provide a statement until you have first consulted with a Houston child sex crime defense attorney about the possible consequences of speaking to the police and whether agreeing to talk will benefit your case.

Reviews Matter

"Ed Chernoff is truly an amazing lawyer and person. He was able to get my felony charge DISMISSED by the Grand Jury in only 2 weeks! Thank you Mr. Chernoff for being the very best you could be and for helping so many others like me. You are a blessing."
- Reggie Kerr

"Mr. Chernoff was adamant about not having me plead guilty to my case and was able to completely wipe my record of the incident. Ed was very prompt, professional, and excellent at explaining where we were in the process and what to expect. I highly recommend him. He is an excellent lawyer."
- Jeff Stautner

"I could not have made a better decision in hiring Ed. He put my fears at ease and helped me get my case dismissed and my life back on track. I would highly recommend hiring Ed and letting him do the same for you."
- Jordan Charles

"I don’t have the words to express how grateful we are for Mr. Chernoff and his team. They always kept us updated and were available for any questions we had. They were able to obtain the best possible outcome. I would definitely use him again and highly recommend him."
- Susan Purdy
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