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Houston Sexual Assault Defense Attorney

Houston Sexual Assault Defense Attorney

Sexual Assault Lawyer in the City of Houston, TX, Stands Up for the Rights and Reputation of Clients Charges with Sex Offenses  in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Texas

Have you been accused or charged with sexual assault? Sexual assault is one of the most serious criminal offenses in Texas law. A conviction can result in significant penalties, although merely facing prosecution for sexual assault can have a devastating impact on your reputation. You need a legal advocate to help you protect your interests. Turn to a Houston sexual assault defense attorney from Chernoff Law for help.

I am attorney Ed Chernoff. For over 35 years, I have practiced law in the criminal justice system here in Texas and nationwide. Over my career, I have worked on thousands of criminal cases and brought hundreds of them to trial. Both my knowledge and experience have earned me a Board Certification in Criminal Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I started my legal career as a prosecutor with the Harris County DA’s office, spending five years as one of the top-performing attorneys and gaining a unique insight into how the government prepares and pursues criminal charges. Today, I use my insight, experience, and knowledge to provide a tough legal defense for my clients.

Don’t jeopardize your reputation and freedom due to sexual assault charges. Reach out to my criminal defense firm for an initial case evaluation with a sexual assault lawyer in the city of Houston, TX, to learn more about your legal options for contesting your charges. 

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 Is Sexual Assault?

Title 5, Section 22.011 is Texas’s sexual assault statute. The statute defines the offense as intentionally or knowingly:

  • Penetrating the anus or sexual organ of another person without their consent
  • Penetrating another person’s mouth with the perpetrator’s sexual organ, without that other person’s consent
  • Causing a person’s sexual organ to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the perpetrator
  • Penetrating the anus or sexual organ of a child
  • Penetrating the mouth of a child with the perpetrator’s sexual organ
  • Causing a child’s anus or mouth to contact with the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the perpetrator

The statute further defines lack of consent as:

  • Forcing a person to submit or participate by the use of physical force, violence, or coercion, or through a credible threat of use of force or violence against the person
  • Forcing a person to submit or participate by a credible threat of force or violence against another person
  • A person who is unconscious or physically unable to resist
  • A person who, due to a mental disease or defect, is incapable of understanding the nature of a sexual act or resisting it
  • Administering any substance to a person without their knowledge with the intent to impair that person’s ability to understand or control their conduct
  • Use of a public servant, healthcare provider, clergy, coach, tutor, or caregiver position to coerce or exploit a person to submit or participate
★★★★★

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

Penalties for a Sexual Assault Conviction in Texas

Sexual assault is normally graded as a second-degree felony, which carries a sentence of imprisonment for two to 20 years, and a potential fine of up to $10,000. However, the grading of the offense increases to a first-degree felony if the victim was a person that the perpetrator was prohibited from marrying or living as a married couple under bigamy laws, or was prohibited from sexual intercourse under incest laws. Penalties for a first-degree felony include imprisonment for life, or a term of 5 to 99 years, and a potential fine of up to $10,000.

Sexual assault can also be graded as a state jail felony if the assault involves a healthcare services provider performing an assisted reproductive procedure using human reproductive material that the patient has not consented to use. Penalties for a state jail felony include a state jail term of 180 days to two years and a potential fine of up to $10,000.

A sexual assault conviction will also have a requirement to register as a sex offender. Depending on the specifics of the crime, an offender may be subject to a 10-year registration requirement or a lifetime registration requirement. 

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.

How Can An Experienced Attorney Defend You Against Allegations of Sexual Assault?

A sexual assault conviction can have long-lasting consequences. You deserve experienced legal advice and advocacy from a sexual assault lawyer in the City of Houston, TX, who will work tirelessly to protect your reputation and future. Turn to my firm for help with all the details of facing your sexual assault charges, including:

  • Getting answers to questions about your charges and learning what to expect during the criminal justice process
  • Investigating your case and securing evidence that can be used to build your defense
  • Protecting your constitutional rights by moving to exclude prosecution evidence that was obtained in an unlawful search or interrogation
  • Vigorously pursuing a favorable resolution to your sexual assault charges, whether by negotiating a plea deal if appropriate or using my extensive courtroom experience to advocate in your defense at trial if you choose to fight your charges

Contact a Houston Sexual Assault Defense Attorney to Discuss the Details of Your Charges

Contact me today for a confidential consultation to learn more about what a Houston sexual assault defense attorney can do to help you pursue a favorable resolution to your case. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Facing Sexual Assault Charges in Houston, TX

Can I be convicted of sexual assault against my spouse?

Yes. Sexual assault occurs whenever the victim does not consent to a sexual act. If you engage in a sexual act on your spouse without their consent, you can be charged with sexual assault. Marriage is no longer a legal defense to a sexual assault charge.

Should I agree to provide the police with my DNA sample?

You should not agree to provide a DNA sample to the police unless you have first consulted with a criminal defense attorney. Even if you are innocent of the sexual assault offense that you have been charged with or are under investigation for, providing your DNA sample can have other consequences, such as being used to tie you to other crimes under investigation by the police. Law enforcement will permanently have a copy of your DNA profile. A lawyer can help you to understand the ramifications of providing a DNA sample.

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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