Child Sex Crimes Defense for Midland Clients

If you need a child sex crimes defense lawyer Midland residents can reach, start with the facts. Most child sex offenses in Texas are charged as felonies. But an accusation is not a conviction, and the first steps you take can shape what comes next.

This guide explains the charges, the possible penalties, the first days after an allegation, and how the evidence gets tested. Barbieri Law Firm is based in Frisco, Texas, and serves clients in Midland and across the state.

Child Sex Crimes Charges We Defend for Midland Clients

Barbieri Law Firm defends four types of child sex offense charges in Texas. The firm handles these matters for clients in Midland, Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth, and across the state.

• Indecency with a child is a separate offense under Texas law, and we can explain how it may apply to the specific allegations in your case.
• Sexual assault of a child. Penal Code § 22.011 treats anyone younger than 17 as a child for this offense.
• Continuous sexual abuse of a young child. Penal Code § 21.02 involves two or more qualifying acts over 30 or more days.
• Online solicitation of a minor. Penal Code § 33.021 covers online contact with a minor aimed at a meeting for sexual conduct.

An accusation can come from a child, a parent, a school, or a medical or forensic report. An accusation is a claim, not proof. The National Registry of Exonerations tracks wrongful convictions, including cases tied to false accusations.

The founding attorney is Heather Jean Barbieri, Board Certified, Criminal Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Penalties and Sex Offender Registration Under Texas Law

Punishment depends on the exact charge, and each felony grade carries its own range. A sentence also depends on the facts, so this page cannot predict one.

• Some sexual contact offenses in Texas are charged as felonies, and the exact level depends on the facts alleged. Under Texas Penal Code § 21.11(d), indecency with a child by sexual contact is a second-degree felony, and indecency with a child by exposure is a third-degree felony.
• Each felony degree in Texas carries its own range of punishment, and we can explain the range that applies to the specific charge.
• Continuous sexual abuse is a first-degree felony, punishable by life or by a term of 25 to 99 years, under Penal Code § 21.02.

Sex offender registration under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure can apply after some convictions. In some cases, it can also apply after deferred adjudication. Whether it applies depends on the offense and the record. Review it with counsel early. No lawyer can promise a particular outcome.

What to Do in the First Days After a Midland Child Sex Crimes Allegation

In the first days, the goal is to avoid creating new problems while you learn what the accusation involves. Start with a few simple habits.

• Don’t discuss the allegation with police, child protective investigators, school staff, or the accuser’s family until a lawyer has reviewed it.
• Keep copies of every notice, charging paper, and bond condition you receive.
• Don’t delete messages, photos, or devices. Deleting records can look like hiding evidence.
• Check for any protective order or no-contact term. Violating a bond condition or protective order connected to a sexual assault or abuse case can lead to a separate criminal charge. It can be a third-degree felony if the violation involves an assault or stalking.

A lawyer typically reviews the initial report, any arrest or warrant papers, and every bond condition. That early review helps you understand your options before you make statements you can’t take back.

How the Evidence Is Built and Tested in These Cases

These cases often rest on a child’s statements, interviews, medical records, and any digital records. Each piece can be tested, and the timing matters.

• Forensic interviews. Review asks how the interview was done, whether it was recorded, whether the questions were suggestive, and how soon it came after the disclosure.
• Medical records. Many child cases have no physical findings. A normal exam does not end an investigation, so the records need careful reading.
• Statements over time. The defense compares the accuser’s statements, family accounts, and witness accounts across time and against the records.
• Intent. Under Penal Code § 21.11, sexual contact requires touching done with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire. Intent is a central question in review.
• Timeline. For continuous sexual abuse, a jury need not agree on which specific acts happened or the exact dates. It must agree that two or more acts occurred over 30 or more days, under Penal Code § 21.02.

We will review the evidence, including interviews, records, and any recordings, and explain your options.

Online Contact and Digital Evidence Allegations

Online solicitation charges turn on messages, accounts, and time stamps. That digital record needs careful review from the start.

Under Penal Code § 33.021, knowingly soliciting a minor online to meet for sexual conduct is covered. The charge does not require that the meeting happened. It is not a defense that the meeting did not occur.

A review typically asks who could access the device or account, what the time stamps show, and whether shared family devices were involved. Those details can change how the record reads.

Don’t log into accounts, delete messages, or try to recover data on your own. Doing so can create additional legal problems. If investigators have contacted you online, discuss it with counsel before you respond.

Defending Midland Cases From a Frisco Practice

Barbieri Law Firm is based in Frisco. The firm represents Midland clients by phone, by video, through secure document exchange, and in person when a meeting is scheduled.

The firm handles child sex crimes defense across Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Texas. Families across the Permian Basin face the same Texas statutes as anyone else in the state. Whether you are in Midland or Frisco, we start by listening to the details of your situation.

This page makes no claim about Midland courts, judges, or prosecutors. During a consultation, we look at the charge and the records you share with us. That is the work the firm can do for you from its Frisco office.

What to Bring to Your Free Consultation

Bring the documents you already have. They shape the first review, and they help the firm understand the timing of the accusation.

• The charging papers or notice of the allegation
• Bond and protective-order paperwork
• Any police, child protective services, or school correspondence
• A timeline of events, with dates as closely as you can recall them
• Names of people who may have information about what happened

A free initial consultation is available to review your situation and your options. No lawyer can promise a particular outcome. To send your case details, use the contact form or call (972) 424-1902.

Frequently asked questions

Is an accusation the same as a conviction? No. An accusation is a claim, not a finding of guilt, and a lawyer can review the evidence behind it.

How many years can a second-degree felony carry in Texas?

Is online solicitation of a minor a felony in Texas? Yes. Knowingly soliciting a minor online to meet for sexual conduct is a second-degree felony under Penal Code § 33.021.

If police or investigators have just contacted you about a child sex offense accusation, reach out to Barbieri Law Firm and we’ll review the charge and explain your options.

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