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Child Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Defense for Child Sex Crime Charges in Allen, Texas

Heather Barbieri and the Barbieri Law Firm defend professionals and individuals facing child sex crime allegations across Collin County. Call now for a free consultation.

By Heather Barbieri · Published October 05, 2026

An accusation of child sexual abuse, online exploitation, or indecency with a child in Allen can trigger an immediate investigation and criminal charges that move faster than you expect. Your rights depend on what happens in the first hours and days after the accusation surfaces—before formal charges are filed. Barbieri Law Firm provides immediate legal representation to protect your constitutional rights and build your defense from day one.

Facing a Child Sex Crime Accusation in Allen

Accusations of child sexual abuse carry the most severe consequences in Texas criminal law. The investigation and charging process moves quickly; prosecutors and law enforcement prioritize these cases, and early legal representation is critical to protecting your rights. An all-women criminal defense firm brings a different perspective to your case and your defense strategy—one grounded in careful investigation and constitutional protection, not assumptions or pressure.

If you have been contacted by police, investigators, or child protective services, or if you know an accusation has been made against you, do not wait. The decisions you make now—what you say, what you don’t say, what evidence you preserve—will shape your entire case.

Not sure what your next step is?

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.

Fingerprinting during criminal investigation with handcuffed suspect.

What a Child Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer Does in Your Case

A defense attorney’s role begins before trial and before charges are filed. Your lawyer protects your rights during police contact and questioning, ensuring that any statements you make are voluntary and informed. Police interrogation of someone accused of a crime against a child is intense and designed to elicit a confession; your attorney’s presence prevents coerced statements and protects your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

Your defense attorney conducts a thorough review of evidence, witness statements, and the basis for the accusation. This includes evaluating investigative procedures, forensic evidence, and how digital evidence was collected and handled. Many child sex crime investigations contain procedural flaws, contaminated evidence, or statements obtained in violation of your constitutional rights. Your attorney identifies these weaknesses and challenges them through pretrial motions.

Communication with prosecutors is essential early in the process. Your attorney understands the charges prosecutors are considering, the evidence they believe they have, and whether resolution options exist that protect your interests. If your case proceeds to trial, your attorney prepares a comprehensive defense strategy based on the facts, the law, and your constitutional protections.

Why Allen Residents Choose Local Representation

Collin County District Court judges, prosecutors, and local procedures differ from other Texas jurisdictions. A defense attorney familiar with how child sex crime cases are handled in Allen and the surrounding areas brings knowledge that matters: which judges are strict on evidence suppression, which prosecutors are willing to negotiate, and how local resources and expert witnesses can support your defense.

Accessibility matters when your case is urgent. An attorney based in Frisco, Texas can meet with you in person, respond immediately to developments, and maintain the continuity of representation that protects your case.

The Consequences of a Child Sex Crime Conviction in Texas

Understanding the stakes is essential. Most child sex crime convictions in Texas require lifetime sex offender registration under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.001. Prison sentences depend on the specific offense and the victim’s age.

Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum of 25 years imprisonment when the victim is younger than 10, or younger than 14 and the offense involves serious bodily injury, threats of death, a deadly weapon, or is committed with another person. Continuous sexual abuse of a young child is a first-degree felony with a sentence range of 25 to 99 years or life.

Indecency with a child by sexual contact is a second-degree felony (2 to 20 years); indecency by exposure is a third-degree felony (2 to 10 years). Both offenses have no statute of limitations in Texas.

Online solicitation of a minor ranges from a third-degree felony (2 to 10 years) for sexually explicit communication to a first-degree felony (5 to 99 years or life) when committed during school hours against a minor known to be enrolled in school.

Beyond prison and registration, a conviction creates permanent collateral consequences: restrictions on where you can live and work in Allen and Collin County, loss of professional licenses, barriers to employment and housing, and loss of custody or parental rights.

Criminal Defense Begins Before Trial

Early intervention affects charging decisions and bail conditions. Pretrial motions can suppress illegally obtained evidence or statements, weakening the prosecution’s case before trial. Negotiation with prosecutors may result in reduced charges or alternative resolutions. Building your defense strategy begins at the first client meeting, not weeks before trial.

How Barbieri Law Firm Defends Child Sex Crime Cases

Heather Barbieri is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification requires meeting rigorous standards of knowledge, experience, and ethics in criminal law practice. Barbieri Law Firm’s dedicated focus is sex crimes and assaultive offenses across Collin County and Dallas-Fort Worth—not a general practice that dilutes expertise.

Your defense begins with thorough investigation of the accusation, the accuser’s account, and alternative explanations. Expert analysis of forensic evidence, digital evidence, and interview procedures identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Constitutional protections are aggressively asserted at every stage: due process rights, confrontation rights, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Not sure what your next step is?

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.

What to Do If You Are Accused

Do not speak to police, investigators, or the accuser without your attorney present. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Do not post about the accusation on social media or discuss it with others. Gather any evidence, communications, or witnesses that support your account and preserve them.

Contact a defense attorney immediately, even if you have not yet been formally charged. The first 24 to 48 hours after an accusation surfaces are critical to your defense.

Fingerprinting of handcuffed suspect during criminal investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault in Texas?

Sexual assault is a second-degree felony (2 to 20 years); aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum of 25 years when the victim is a child younger than 10 or younger than 14 with aggravating factors.

Do I have to register as a sex offender if convicted of a child sex crime in Texas?

Yes, most child sex crime convictions require lifetime sex offender registration under Texas law.

What is online solicitation of a minor?

Online solicitation is communicating sexually explicit material to a minor or soliciting a meeting with intent to engage in sexual conduct; it is a third-degree to first-degree felony depending on the minor’s age and the nature of the solicitation.

How long do prosecutors have to file charges for child sexual abuse in Texas?

Aggravated sexual assault has no statute of limitations when the victim was a child, or when untested DNA evidence was collected, or when there are five or more similar victims; otherwise it must be charged within ten years.

What should I do if I am accused of a child sex crime?

Do not speak to police or investigators without an attorney present, do not post on social media, preserve all evidence and communications, and contact a defense attorney immediately.


If you’re facing an accusation of a child sex crime in Allen or anywhere in Collin County, the hours ahead will determine your defense. Contact Barbieri Law Firm now to schedule a free, confidential consultation and protect your rights before charges are filed.

Call (972) 424-1902 or send us your case details.
Barbieri Law Firm, 17 Cowboys Way, Suite 175, Frisco, TX 75034. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.

Why Barbieri Law Firm

Focused Defense

We focus exclusively on sex crimes and assaultive offenses. Your case receives the attention and strategy it demands.

Board Certification in Criminal Law

Heather Barbieri holds a Certificate of Special Competence in Criminal Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

All-Women Firm

Led by women attorneys who understand the sensitivity and complexity of child sex crime defense.

Local to Collin County

Based in Frisco, serving Allen, McKinney, Plano, Prosper, Celina, and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

What You Need to Know

Severity of Charges

Child sex crime charges carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and mandatory sex offender registration. The stakes demand immediate, skilled legal representation.

Investigation & Evidence

We examine how evidence was gathered, whether proper procedures were followed, and whether your rights were protected from the moment of accusation.

Your Rights Matter

You have the right to a vigorous defense. We challenge the prosecution's case and explore every viable defense strategy.

Confidential Consultation

Your free consultation is confidential. We listen to your account and explain your options without judgment.

Act Quickly

If you've been accused of a child sex crime, do not speak to police or investigators without an attorney present. Anything you say can be used against you. Contact us immediately.

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