Top Clear Lake City, TX Statutory Rape Lawyers Near You
Our experienced & qualified Houston Criminal defense lawyer takes an aggressive approach toward defending clients & is ready to fight for you. ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist
Our Goal Is Dismissal Or Reduced Sentences For All Of Our Clients. Call For Help With Any Criminal Related Charges! South Texas’ Dwi & Criminal Defense Lawyer-Scientist.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Rated Top 100 Attorney in Texas by Super Lawyers 2019 - 2022. Triple Board Certified, DWI Specialist. We Do Not Back Down!
When It's All on The Line, You Want the Best Criminal Lawyer to Defend You.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Board Certified in both DWI and Criminal Defense. Hire a proven trial lawyer that will will aggressively & professionally advocate on your behalf. Call us for a free consultation.
Free Consultation
We strive to get you the best possible outcome, and we’ll fight to secure a result that will have minimal-to-nonexistent impact on your life.
6302 W. Broadway St, Ste. 250, Pearland, TX 77581
Other Nearby Offices
Getting legal representation for your Statutory Rape issue is easier than you think. Let Scott M. Brown & Associates in Clear Lake City, Texas help you today.
Se Habla Español
Virtual Appointments
108 E Magnolia St, Angleton, TX 77515
Jeff Gilbert Law Office, serving clients in the Clear Lake City, Texas area, a reputable legal practice for Statutory Rape issues.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
2814 Hamilton St, Houston, TX 77004
Contact The Downey Law Firm in Clear Lake City, Texas for experienced legal assistance in Statutory Rape.
Free Consultation
1330 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77056-3166
3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 3200, Houston, TX 77027
811 Main Street, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77002
1111 North Loop W, Ste 1118, Houston, TX 77008
717 Texas Ave, Suite 2100, Houston, TX 77002
6575 West Loop South, Suite 500, Bellaire, TX 77401
4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2850, Houston, TX 77027
6200 Chase Tower, 600 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002
8441 Gulf Fwy, Ste 210, Houston, TX 77017
1415 N Loop W Fwy, Suite 905, Houston, TX 77008
917 Franklin Street, Fourth Floor, Houston, TX 77002
7151 Office City Drive, Houston, TX 77087
2180 North Loop West, Suite 310, Houston, TX 77018
1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 4000, Houston, TX 77002
2211 Norfolk Street, Suite 735, Houston, TX 77098
2616 S Loop W, Suite 218, Houston, TX 77054
909 Fannin St., Ste. 3300, Houston, TX 77010
The Kirby Mansion, 2000 Smith Street, Houston, TX 77002
600 Travis St, Suite 2350, Houston, TX 77002
1401 McKinney St, Suite 2250, Houston, TX 77010
518 9th Ave N, Suite 9, Texas City, TX 77590
609 Main St, Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77002
Clear Lake City Statutory Rape Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Statutory Rape attorneys in Clear Lake City and checks their standing with Texas bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Is Statutory Rape?
Statutory rape is sexual intercourse or sexual contact with someone who is below the age of consent (which varies from state to state). Someone below the age of consent cannot legally consent to a sexual relationship, even if they give verbal consent. It is not up to the underage individual whether or not to press statutory rape charges. The prosecutor can charge a defendant with statutory rape offenses without the alleged victim’s consent.
The penalties for statutory rape depend on the jurisdiction. Statutory rape can be charged as rape, sexual abuse of a minor, or other sexual offenses. Criminal penalties may depend on a number of aggravating and mitigating factors, including:
- Age of the victim
- Age difference between the parties involved
- Type of sexual activity
- Giving the victim alcohol or drugs
How Is Rape Different From Statutory Rape?
Rape is unlawful sexual intercourse. Rape can be committed through force, coercion, or when the victim cannot give consent. For example, someone who is passed out or drugged may not have the mental state to consent to sexual penetration. With statutory rape, the victim cannot give consent because the law does not consider them to be old enough to give legal consent.
With underage sexual intercourse, it does not matter what the underage person does or says. The underage individual may be encouraging or pursuing sex but they still cannot give legal consent. If the underage person says they will not tell anyone, the defendant can still be charged if law enforcement officers find out about the sexual relationship.
In some cases, parents or guardians may be okay with a sexual relationship between the defendant and their minor child. However, it does not matter if the parents give consent or the victim says that it is okay. If a teacher, counselor, or other friend’s parent finds out about the sexual relationship and reports it, the police can still make an arrest for rape or sexual assault.
What Is the Age of Consent?
The age of consent is 16 to 18, depending on the state. However, the defendant’s age may also be considered in statutory rape charges. There may need to be a sufficient age differential between the victim and the defendant, if the victim is above an age minimum. There may also be a minimum age of the defendant in order to prosecute someone for statutory rape. Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to understand the legal defense strategies in your case.
How Much Jail Time Can a Person Get for Statutory Rape?
In most cases, statutory rape or sexual assault of a minor is a felony offense. The felony penalties for a statutory rape conviction may include more than a year in prison. When the minor victim is under a certain age, the prison sentence can be much longer, including up to life imprisonment.
In addition to jail time and fines, statutory rape may be considered a “registerable offense.” After the defendant serves their sentence and is released from jail, they may have to register with local law enforcement agencies as a sex offender. Sex offenders have mandatory registration every year or whenever they move.
Sex offenders are put on a database that is public information and can be searched by the defendant’s name or search location. The sex offender registry may have identifying information, including:
- Name
- Photograph
- Physical description
- Address
- Sex crime
Is It a Defense if Someone Lied About Their Age?
In some cases, it may be a defense if the defendant had an honest and reasonable belief that the victim was over the age of consent. However, simply claiming the victim lied about their age may not be enough. It can help the defendant’s case if there are factors supporting their claim, including:
- Victim had a fake I.D. and claimed an older age
- Victim was in a place where minors are not generally present, including a bar
- There were other witnesses who were told and thought the victim was older
However, even if the defendant has substantial evidence of a reasonable belief of the age of consent, there may be a bar to this defense if the victim is under a certain age. If you have questions about this or other legal defenses, talk to a sex crimes defense attorney.
Can You Sue for Statutory Rape?
For criminal statutory rape laws, it is up to the prosecutor to bring criminal charges. The victim is not required to support criminal charges and the victim cannot drop criminal charges. Even if the victim comes to the defendant’s defense, the prosecutor can still pursue a felony conviction.
The victim of statutory rape may be able to file a civil complaint against the defendant for civil penalties. A civil cause of action may allow the victim to recover damages from the defendant, including monetary compensation.
Do You Need a Statutory Rape Lawyer?
There are severe penalties associated with a statutory rape charge, including harsh prison sentences and lifetime sex offender registration. A criminal defense attorney can provide an aggressive defense strategy to help you avoid criminal charges. Contact an experienced attorney for legal advice.