Aggravated Sexual Assault
False accusations or false allegations of aggravated sexual assault throughout the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex are very serious and can result in severe consequences. Therefore, it is important to explain the facts of your particular situation with an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer to help you identify mitigating factors or defenses that can result in a dismissal, acquittal or reduction of the charges against you.
You may have been falsely accused for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons to accuse another person of aggravated sexual assault are to ruin their reputation, to cause them public humiliation, to accuse them out of spite, jealous or anger, or to receive some form monetary or financial bribe. No matter the reason, it is essential to contact a skilled defense attorney who will fight the false claims against you.
Fort Worth Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorney
Contact Stuckle & Ferguson, PLLC for a consultation about your alleged aggravated sexual assault offense throughout the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, including the areas of Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Denton, Lewisville, and Arlington. The attorneys of Stuckle & Ferguson are aggressive sex crimes defense lawyers who will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties and repercussions to your alleged offense. Contact Stuckle & Ferguson for a free consultation today at (972) 423-4405 if you have been falsely accused of committing an aggravated sexual assault offense throughout Dallas and Fort Worth.
Dallas Aggravated Sexual Assault Information Center
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Denton Aggravated Sexual Assault Crimes
According to Tex. Penal Code § 22.021, an individual can be charged with aggravated sexual assault if they commit sexual assault and:
- They cause the victim to be afraid of serious bodily injury, death or kidnapping through threats or actions;
- They administer any of the following intoxicants or controlled substances to the alleged offender during the commission of the offense:
- flunitrazepam,
- gamma hydroxybutyrate,
- GHB,
- Ketamine,
- rohypnol,
- roofies,
- Special K, or
- the Date Rape drug;
- They use a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense;
- They threaten to cause serious bodily injury, death or kidnap any person, including the alleged victim;
- The aggravated sexual assault was allegedly committed on a child under the age of 14;
- The aggravated sexual assault was allegedly committed on someone who was elderly or disabled;
- They attempt to cause the death of the alleged victim during the commission of the offense; or
- They cause serious bodily injury to the alleged victim during the commission of the offense.
An individual can also be charged with aggravated sexual assault if they act as an accomplice to an individual who allegedly engaged in a sexual assault offense.
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Texas Mental State Requirement for Aggravated Sexual Assault
If you have been accused of committing aggravated sexual assault, the prosecution must prove you had a certain mental state or state of mind in order to convict you of the offense. If they are unable to prove you acted intentionally or knowingly when allegedly committing the aggravated sexual assault, the charges against you may be reduced or even dismissed. Since a person’s mental state at the time of allegedly committing an offense it unique to that person, it can be a very difficult element to prove. Texas law defines the required aggravated sexual assault mental states as follows, according to section 6.03 of the Texas Penal Code:
- Knowingly – An individual acts with knowledge if they commit an act, e.g. aggravated sexual assault, and they are aware their conduct is reasonable certain to case the result of the act.
- Intentionally – An individual has an intentional mental state if they have the conscious desire to commit the act, e.g. aggravated sexual assault, or cause the result of the act.
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Penalties to a Fort Worth Aggravated Sexual Assault Offense
As listed in Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code, an individual who is charged with committing aggravated sexual assault can face a conviction for a felony of the first degree, which is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years and/or a fine up to $10,000.
If the alleged offender is convicted of aggravated sexual assault on a child under the six at the time of the offense, they may face a minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years, as opposed to five years.
The alleged offender may also face a minimum prison term of 25 years if the charges were for committing aggravated sexual assault against a child under the age of 14 and the alleged offender:
- Administered a controlled substance or intoxicant to the alleged victim;
- Caused or attempted to serious bodily injury or death to the alleged victim; or
- Used a weapon during the commission of the offense.
Additionally, an individual who is convicted of an aggravated sexual assault or accused of committing aggravated sexual assault could face any of the following:
- In inability to pursue certain jobs, occupations or professions;
- A requirement to register as a sex offender for the remainder of their life, according to Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure;
- Ineligibility to apply for or be admitted into certain educational or graduate school programs;
- Public humiliation or embarrassment; and/or
- Ineligibility to vote, hold public office and own or possess a firearm.
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Defenses to Aggravated Sexual Assault in Dallas
Certain defenses may be available to your allegations of aggravated sexual assault. It is important to first consult with an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer who will be able to help you identify any defenses that may apply to your particular situation, as they are not available in every case. Some of the most commonly used defenses to aggravated sexual assault can include:
- Duress
- False accusations
- Insanity
- Alibi
- Coercion
- Lack of knowledge or intent
- Mistake
Additionally, an individual may be permitted to use an affirmative defense to their allegations of aggravated sexual assault, depending on the circumstances of their particular case. An affirmative defense can occur when the alleged offender admits they committed the offense, but it is not a crime in their case because of a specific reason.
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Stuckle & Ferguson, PLLC | Aggravated Sexual Assault Lawyer in Dallas
If you have been charged with committing aggravated sexual assault throughout Texas, including the areas of Collin County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Denton County, Lubbock County, El Paso County, Bexar County, Nueces County, Webb County, Bell County, Travis County, Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Harris County and Montgomery County, contact Stuckle & Ferguson today. Paul Stuckle is an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer in Fort Worth who will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties and repercussions to your alleged offense. Contact Stuckle & Ferguson today for a free consultation at (972) 423-4405 or send an online message about your aggravated sexual assault allegations.