Aggravated Sexual Assault Defense Law Firm Dallas

Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony in Texas, with a punishment range from 5 years up to 99 years or life. If you face this charge in Dallas, the first weeks matter most. This page explains the charge, the defense process, and what to ask before you choose an aggravated sexual assault defense law firm in Dallas. Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm based in Frisco, Texas. We defend clients in Dallas, Collin County, and the wider Dallas-Fort Worth area.

What Aggravated Sexual Assault Means Under Texas Law

Aggravated sexual assault is a sexual assault with at least one aggravating fact added. The base offense is defined in Texas Penal Code § 22.011. It covers specific acts of penetration or contact committed without consent.

Consent is the central question. Under the same section, conduct counts as without consent when force, violence, or coercion is used. It also applies when the other person is unconscious or physically unable to resist. A “child” is a person younger than 17.

The aggravating facts are listed in Texas Penal Code § 22.021. They include:

• Serious bodily injury, or an attempt to cause death, in the same criminal episode
• Acts or words that place the victim in fear of death or serious bodily injury
• Use or exhibition of a deadly weapon
• A victim younger than 14
• An elderly or disabled victim

Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony. In some cases involving a young victim, § 22.021 can raise the minimum term to 25 years.

Practical point: the charging language decides which facts are alleged. Those facts shape the offense and the range, so we start there.

What Our Defense Covers, From Investigation to Trial

Our aggravated sexual assault defense covers each stage, from first police contact through trial if the case does not resolve.

• Advice before and during police interviews, including consent to searches and requests for phones or other devices
• Arrest response and bond hearing preparation, including release conditions and no-contact orders
• Review of the grand jury process and the allegations in any indictment
• Discovery review (the evidence the prosecution shares): forensic interview recordings, medical and SANE records, DNA and lab reports, and digital evidence
• Pretrial motions, such as motions to suppress evidence from an unlawful search or statement
• Negotiation with the prosecutor, with every offer explained in plain terms
• Jury trial representation when a client chooses to contest the charge
• Related matters from the same facts, such as online sex crimes or family violence allegations

Bond conditions carry their own risk. Under Texas Penal Code § 25.07, knowingly violating a bond condition tied to a victim’s or the community’s safety can be a separate offense. We walk through each condition with you so you know exactly what it requires.

How the Process Works and What to Expect

The process moves in stages, and it starts with a consultation and a close review of the file.

1. Consultation. We review the charge, the timeline, and any near deadline, such as a bond hearing or grand jury date.
2. File review. We read the arrest report, the probable cause affidavit, and any evidence already shared.
3. Bond strategy. We address release conditions that affect your job, family, and travel.
4. Discovery demand. We request the evidence the prosecution holds. This step can take time, depending on the file.
5. Motions and negotiation. We act on what the evidence shows, and we explain each option.
6. Trial setting. If the case is not resolved, we explain the jury process and what happens at trial.

Timelines vary by case and by the court calendar. We give estimates only after we review the file.

The Evidence We Review in an Aggravated Sexual Assault Case

We review every type of evidence in the file, including medical exams, recorded interviews, digital data, and witness accounts.

• Medical and forensic records, including exam notes, DNA results, and how lab samples were collected and handled
• Recorded forensic and police interviews, plus any recorded jail calls
• Digital evidence, such as texts, social media posts, location data, and device extractions
• Witness statements, compared with earlier accounts and with the rest of the file
• Timing and location details, to see whether the accounts fit together
• Search warrant affidavits and how the state obtained each item

Wrongful accusations do happen. The National Registry of Exonerations publishes research on wrongful convictions, including false accusations and mistaken identification. That is why we give each item a close look.

We explain what each item shows and what it does not show. No lawyer can promise a particular outcome, and we won’t predict one before the file is reviewed.

Why Clients Choose Barbieri Law Firm

Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm in Frisco, Texas. We defend professionals accused of sex crimes and assaultive offenses across Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Texas.

• Plain explanations. We explain options, risks, and costs in plain language, and in writing when that helps.
• Statute-first analysis. We tie each point to the Texas Penal Code text, so you can read the law yourself.
• Credentials. Heather Jean Barbieri, Board Certified, Criminal Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification belongs to Heather Barbieri alone.
• No results claimed here. This page describes no case results. Any result we publish must be true, reflect a substantial role by the lawyer, and carry the client’s consent where required.
• Related practice areas. If your facts also raise online or family violence allegations, see our online sex crimes defense and family violence defense pages.

Common Questions About Aggravated Sexual Assault Defense in Dallas

Common questions cover dropped charges, police interviews, and public records. Short answers follow.

Talk to a Dallas Defense Lawyer About Your Charge Now

If you’ve been arrested, or a bond hearing or grand jury date is coming up, the next few days matter. Early choices about bond and police contact can shape what comes next. Bring the charging papers, bond conditions, court dates, and a written timeline of events. Call (972) 424-1902 or send your case details to schedule your consultation.

Attorney responsible for this site: Heather Jean Barbieri, Barbieri Law Firm, Frisco, Texas.