Defending Parents and Professionals Accused of Child Sex Crimes in Prosper and Collin County

A child sex crimes charge in Texas can bring prison time, sex offender registration duties and other consequences that last for years. Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm in Frisco, Texas. It defends people accused of sex crimes and assaultive offenses across Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas. The first consultation is free and carries no obligation to continue.

What a Child Sex Crimes Charge Means in Texas

Texas law covers several child sex offenses, and each one has its own degree and penalty range. The main offenses are these.

• Indecency with a child. This offense involves sexual contact with a child younger than 17, and certain exposure done with intent to arouse. Sexual contact is a second-degree felony. Exposure is a third-degree felony.
• Sexual assault of a child. Penal Code § 22.011 applies whether or not the actor knew the child’s age. It is a second-degree felony, or a first-degree felony if the victim is a person the actor was prohibited from marrying, purporting to marry, or living with under the appearance of marriage under Section 25.01, or from having intercourse with under Section 25.02.
• Aggravated sexual assault. Penal Code § 22.021 is a first-degree felony. A victim younger than 14 is an aggravating circumstance. The minimum prison term rises to 25 years if the victim is younger than six, or younger than 14 and the conduct falls under subsection (a)(2)(A).
• Online solicitation of a minor. Penal Code § 33.021 covers certain online communication with a minor. Our online sex crimes page for Prosper covers that offense in detail.

Penalties go beyond the degree. A first-degree felony carries life, or a term of 5 to 99 years, and a fine up to $10,000 may be added. Under Section 12.42(c)(2) of the Texas Penal Code, certain repeat sex offenders face a mandatory life sentence when a listed prior final conviction exists, and Section 12.42(c)(4) provides life without parole for qualifying repeat offenses against a child victim under Sections 21.02 and 22.021.

Under Section 21.02 of the Texas Penal Code, continuous sexual abuse of a young child requires that the actor be 17 years of age or older at the time of each act, and that the actor commit two or more acts of sexual abuse against a child younger than 14 over a period of 30 or more days. The offense is a first-degree felony punishable by 25 to 99 years or life in prison, with no parole eligibility. The exact charge and subsection control what you face.

What Our Child Sex Crimes Defense Covers

The defense starts with the complete record: the investigation file, the interviews and the digital evidence. Heather Barbieri reviews each part against the others, because a single file can tell different stories.

• The investigation file. Police and child protective services reports, supplemental notes and witness statements.
• The forensic interview. Who conducted it, how it was recorded and whether the protocol was followed.
• Medical and school records. Counseling records and any SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) exam documentation.
• Digital evidence. Phone extractions, messages, app data and internet account records, and how investigators collected them.
• Bond and no-contact terms. Knowingly violating a bond condition in a sexual assault or abuse case can be a separate offense under Penal Code § 25.07.
• Pretrial motions and negotiation. Motions, talks with the prosecutor and trial preparation when a case does not resolve.

How a Child Sex Crimes Case Typically Moves Forward

Most cases move from investigation to charges, then to pretrial work, and then to resolution or trial. Each stage raises different questions.

1. Free initial consultation. We review the allegation, the stage of the case and urgent risks, such as a police interview request or a CPS visit.
2. Before any interview. We advise you on whether and how to speak with police or CPS, and we request the case file early.
3. Arrest or charges. Bond conditions and detention issues get prompt attention.
4. Evidence review. We review the file, make discovery requests and consult a qualified professional when the case calls for it.
5. Pretrial work. We explain every offer so you can make the decision.
6. Trial or resolution. Timelines vary by county, court and case complexity. No lawyer can predict how long a case will take.

How Defense Lawyers Challenge Child Sex Crimes Allegations

A defense lawyer tests whether the evidence supports each part of the charge. Accepting the allegation as written is not the starting point.

Section 21.11 lists affirmative defenses, including one for an actor who was not more than three years older than the victim and of the opposite sex, used no duress, force or threat, and met listed registration conditions. A spousal defense also exists.

• The outcry. How the first allegation came out, to whom, and under what circumstances.
• Interviews. Whether questioning was suggestive and whether investigators recorded it accurately.
• Physical and digital evidence. Conflicts between the allegation, the records and the physical evidence.
• Timeline and alternatives. Gaps in the timeline and other explanations for what the records show.
• Statements. Whether any statement was voluntary and whether proper warnings were given.

Each case differs. The defense depends on the evidence actually in the file.

Why Barbieri Law Firm for a Child Sex Crimes Defense

Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm based in Frisco, Texas. It handles child sex crimes defense law firm matters alongside other criminal charges.

• Lead attorney. Heather Jean Barbieri, Board Certified, Criminal Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
• Attorney responsibility. Heather Barbieri leads the firm’s defense work and is the attorney responsible for this site.
• Support staff. The firm has support staff who assist with office work. Our team describes the firm’s work in plain terms.
• Scope. The firm defends professionals and families facing sex crimes and assaultive offenses across Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas.
• Other practice areas. The firm also handles aggravated assault, family violence, and theft defense for students and non-citizens.

No lawyer can ensure a particular outcome. What the firm can do is review the case and explain your options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Sex Crimes Defense

Most people with these questions want to know what to do first and what a conviction could mean.

Talk to Heather Barbieri About Your Prosper Child Sex Crimes Case

If police, a CPS investigator or a prosecutor has reached out about a child sex crimes allegation, you need answers before the next step. Call (972) 424-1902 or send us your case details for a free initial consultation, with no obligation to continue. We will review the evidence and explain your options.

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