Aggravated Sexual Assault Defense Plano | Barbieri Law
By Heather Barbieri · Published October 11, 2026
If you need an aggravated sexual assault defense law firm in Plano, here is the short answer. Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony in Texas, and punishment can reach life in prison. Barbieri Law Firm defends people charged with this offense from our Frisco office. This page explains the charge, what a defense involves, and what we can and can’t promise.
What Aggravated Sexual Assault Means in Texas
Aggravated sexual assault is sexual assault plus at least one aggravating factor. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.011, sexual assault involves penetration of, or specified contact with, another person’s sexual organ, anus, or mouth. For an adult complainant, the conduct must be without that person’s consent. When the complainant is a child, lack of consent is not an element. For adult complainants, Texas law describes specific circumstances in which sexual assault is treated as occurring without consent.
Under Texas law, certain aggravating circumstances can raise a sexual assault charge to aggravated sexual assault. The offense is a first-degree felony. The possible punishment depends on how the offense is classified and the facts alleged, and we can explain the range that may apply to your charge.
In some cases involving a young victim, the minimum prison term rises to 25 years. A prior felony conviction can also change the range (Texas Penal Code § 12.42).
An accusation is not proof. Wrongful convictions have followed false accusations and mistaken identification, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. This page is for the person arrested, the person who just got a call from police, and the family helping them.
What Our Aggravated Sexual Assault Defense Covers
Our defense starts with your first contact with police and runs through the final resolution of the case. Here is what that includes:
- Police and prosecutor contact: advice on what to say, what to decline, and how to invoke your right to remain silent.
- Bond work: review of bond conditions. Violating a bond condition tied to victim safety can be its own offense (Texas Penal Code § 25.07).
- Evidence review: police reports, SANE and forensic exam records, DNA and lab reports, messages, call logs, location data, and video.
- Investigation: the timeline, witnesses, and inconsistencies in the accusation.
- Court motions: grand jury and indictment review, discovery demands, and motions to suppress evidence.
- Resolution: negotiation with the prosecutor and, when the evidence calls for it, trial.
How the Defense Process Works, Step by Step
Most cases move through six stages. The timing depends on the court calendar and the evidence.
- Consultation or case submission: you share the charge, court dates, and what police have said to you.
- Early protection: we address bond, contact rules, and evidence preservation.
- Full case review: we study the charging papers and the State’s discovery as it arrives.
- Strategy discussion: we explain your realistic options, the risks of each, and which decisions belong to you.
- Pretrial work: motions and negotiation, guided by the court’s schedule.
- Trial or resolution: we keep you informed at every stage.
Dates come as they become known. We don’t guess at them.
Why Barbieri Law Firm for Plano Clients
Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm based in Frisco. Plano and Collin County clients meet with us at that office.
- Heather Jean Barbieri, Board Certified, Criminal Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
- Our practice concentrates on sex crimes and assaultive offenses, including aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, and family violence.
- Your matter is handled by a lawyer admitted to practice in Texas.
- We keep records supporting each factual statement on this site, and we share them on request.
Certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization means a lawyer has met that board’s standards in a specific area of law. It does not ensure any result, and no lawyer can make that promise.
Realistic Expectations, Costs, and What We Cannot Promise
No lawyer can promise or predict how an aggravated sexual assault case will end. Each case turns on its own evidence and facts.
- We review the forensic reports, recordings, and digital records before we discuss options.
- We explain the risks of each path, including the risks of speaking with police early.
- Our fees are not tied to how your case ends. We discuss fee options, including payment plans where available, at your consultation.
- Consulting witnesses, investigators, and lab testing are separate costs from attorney fees. We explain them before they are incurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I talk to the police without a lawyer?
You have the right to remain silent. Speak with a lawyer before any interview, because your statements can be used later.
Can the charge be dismissed?
Dismissal depends on the evidence and the prosecutor’s review. No lawyer can promise that result.
Will this affect my job or license?
It can. We review job and license issues as part of your case plan.
Is registration required after a conviction?
Some convictions carry sex-offender registration duties under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. We review whether that applies to your case.
Do you handle cases outside Collin County?
Yes. We serve Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth, and cases across Texas.
Is the consultation free?
Yes, the initial consultation is free.
Talk With Our Team About Your Case
If police just contacted you about an aggravated sexual assault allegation, or a bond hearing is coming up, the next few days matter. Bring your paperwork and let us review it with you. You can call us at (972) 424-1902, schedule a free consultation, or send us your case details.
Attorney responsible for this site: Heather Jean Barbieri, Barbieri Law Firm, Frisco, Texas.
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