Child Abuse - Madrid Law Firm

Child Sex Abuse

If you have been charged with child sex abuse in Houston, call Madrid Law, PLLC immediately for a free initial consultation

Being charged with child abuse is inevitably a traumatic experience. Not only are you facing the possibility of criminal penalties, you may find yourself facing ostracism from people who assume that you are guilty simply because you were accused. False allegations of child abuse not at all uncommon, however (by someone seeking advantage in a custody battle, for example), and in many cases appropriate acts of discipline are mischaracterized as child abuse by overzealous prosecutors. If you have been charged with child abuse in Houston, the services of a seasoned Houston criminal lawyer could turn out to be a necessity.

The following are instances where the State of Texas can enter a charge of aggravated sexual assault if the accused:

Causes serious bodily injury or attempts to cause the death of the victim or another person
Causes the victim to fear that the death, bodily injury, or kidnapping of another person will occur
Threatens to kill, injure, or kidnap another
Uses or brandishes a deadly weapon such as a gun or knife
The victim is younger than 14 years of age; 65 years of age or older, or is disabled

Aggravated Sexual Assault

Any allegation of Sexual Assault is serious. An Aggravated Sexual Assault charge raises the possible consequences and punishment. A strong defense with an Aggravated Sexual Assault Attorney is imperative to avoid the pitfalls that can result from a sexual assault charge.

The Texas Penal Code carries laws against sexual assault that occur within certain circumstances. These “special circumstances” can lead to a charge of “aggravated sexual assault,” which carries a more severe penalty upon conviction.

Penalties for Intoxication Manslaughter In Texas

Texas law includes a number of different acts or omissions that can be classified as child abuse, including:

Continuous sexual abuse of a young child: This offense requires a defendant to sexually abuse a child at least twice over a 90-day period.
Indecency with a child: This offense requires the defendant to commit a sexual act in front of (not with) a minor.
Bodily injury to a child: This offense requires the defendant to cause serious bodily injury or mental deficiency to child. The act need not be intentional – even a negligent act will support a conviction.
Child neglect: The caretaker of a child (not necessarily a parent or guardian) can sometimes be charged with child neglect if he withholds food, water, shelter, clothing, medical treatment, supervision and even love and affection from a child. A caretaker can even face charges for failing to provide adequate discipline – by allowing a child to frequently miss school, for example.
Child abandonment/child endangerment: This offense requires the defendant to put a child under 15 into a dangerous situation, or to allow such a child to enter into or remain in a dangerous situation though culpable inaction.

Penalties

If you are facing criminal charges in Texas for Aggravated Sexual Assault you must make one of the most important decisions in your life. Your life, career, relationships and liberty are all at jeopardy when faced with the accusation of the crime of sexual assault.

Mario Madrid is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law. This is a distinction that less than three percent of attorneys in Texas have attained. Board Certification means an attorney has substantial, relevant experience in a select field of law as well as demonstrated, and tested, special competence in that area of law. There are more than 100,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas. Only 7,350 are Board Certified.

If you are charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault you need someone with the expertise necessary to represent you to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family. Mr. Madrid has practiced for over two decades successfully defending the accused of Aggravated Sexual Assault. He meticulously investigates the evidence and finds the holes in the State’s case that lead to dismissals and not guilty verdicts. When you are facing a prison sentence and a lifetime of registration as a sex offender you need someone in your corner with skill and experience of Mario Madrid, who will fight and defend your rights.

Defenses

Defenses to child abuse allegations are almost completely dependent on the facts of each individual case. Some of the most commonly used defenses are:

The defendant was not mentally competent to care for a child
The allegation was a malicious false accusation, or the child’s allegation was coached by an adult
The child’s injuries were not caused by the defendant
The accuser was overzealous and jumped to conclusions because of Texas’ mandatory reporting law.

Failure to Report Child Abuse

In Texas, anyone who has reason to believe that a child is being abused is legally required to report their suspicion to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Failure to do so can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor criminal offense.

Talking Back

Houston criminal defense lawyer Mario Madrid enjoys the benefit of two decades of experience as a criminal defense attorney, a prosecutor and a judge. He is also a Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law, an honor granted to fewer that ten percent of Texas criminal lawyers. If you have been charged with child abuse in Houston, call Madrid Law, PLLC immediately at 713-903-2657 for a free initial consultation.

For a free evaluation of your case, call attorney Mario Madrid at 713-877-9400.

Child Sex Abuse

Child Sex Abuse

Aggravated Sexual Assault

Penalties for Intoxication Manslaughter In Texas

Penalties

Defenses

Failure to Report Child Abuse

Talking Back

Request a Free Consultation with Houston Criminal Attorney Mario Madrid. Call 713-877-9400.

Contact Info.

Useful Links