Defending Collin County residents accused of sex crimes

A Collin County sex crimes lawyer defends people accused of sex offenses and related assaultive charges. If you’ve been arrested, contacted by police, or indicted, the early steps matter. This guide explains the charges, how a case moves through Collin County, what defense work involves, and what to ask before you decide.

What a Collin County Sex Crimes Defense Covers

Sex crimes defense means representing a person accused of a sexual or assaultive offense from first contact through final resolution. Barbieri Law Firm handles these charges in Collin County courts and across Texas:

• Sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault
• Child sex crimes
• Online sex crimes
• Aggravated assault
• Family violence

Every situation is different, so we review the details of the specific accusation with you. Here is a plain-language look at the main ones:

• Sexual assault involves sexual contact or penetration without consent, as Texas Penal Code § 22.011 defines it.
• Aggravated sexual assault under Texas Penal Code § 22.021 covers conduct that includes intentionally or knowingly causing the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another person by any means without that person’s consent, and the statute lists aggravating circumstances such as causing serious bodily injury or attempting to cause the death of the victim or another person in the course of the same criminal episode. It is a first-degree felony under Texas Penal Code § 22.021.
• Indecency with a child is its own offense under Texas law, separate from sexual assault charges, and what the State must prove depends on how the charge is written.
• Online solicitation of a minor is a Texas offense based on online communications with a person the State alleges is a minor, and what the State must prove depends on how the charge is written.
• Aggravated assault is an assault plus serious bodily injury or use of a deadly weapon, under Texas Penal Code § 22.02.

Texas sorts felonies into five categories under Texas Penal Code § 12.04. The category matters because it drives the possible punishment.

This page is for people who were arrested, contacted by police, or indicted, and for families of someone in that position. Being accused can feel overwhelming, and we take time to explain where your case stands. Whether a charge can be defended depends on the specific allegation and the evidence behind it.

What the Defense Involves in Collin County Cases

Defense starts with a careful review of everything the State has filed and everything it may use. Your lawyer reviews the evidence and explains your options. No lawyer can promise a result.

A review typically includes:

• The charging papers, the probable cause affidavit, and the offense report
• Bond conditions and any protective order
• Forensic and digital evidence, such as phone records, messages, account data, and recorded interviews
• Identification, the traffic stop or search, and any statements police took

These areas matter. Published research from the National Registry of Exonerations lists false accusations and mistaken identification among the causes of wrongful convictions. A defense lawyer tests each point against the facts in your file instead of assuming the State’s version is correct.

When the facts support it, the work may include:

• Negotiation with the prosecutor
• Pretrial motions to limit or exclude evidence
• Trial preparation, if the case cannot be resolved fairly without a trial

The right path depends on your facts, not on a template.

How a Collin County Sex Crime Case Typically Moves

A typical case moves from arrest or notice of investigation to charging, early court dates, evidence review, and then dismissal, plea, or trial. The timeline varies, so confirm the specifics for your own case.

1. Arrest or investigation notice. Bond terms may limit contact, travel, or where you can live.
2. Charging decision. Felony cases may move toward indictment.
3. Arraignment and counsel. The court sets future dates and addresses who will represent you.
4. Discovery review. Your lawyer receives the State’s evidence and checks it.
5. Motions and plea discussions. Pretrial motions and talks with the prosecutor can narrow or change the case.
6. Resolution. The case ends by dismissal, plea, or trial.

No fixed timeline applies to every case. The charges, the evidence, and the court calendar each change how long a case takes. During a consultation, Barbieri Law Firm can walk you through these steps for your charge and your court.

What to Do Right Now If You Are Under Investigation

Say you want a lawyer before you answer questions, and avoid making statements without one. Keep your records intact and follow every bond term exactly.

• Say you want a lawyer. Don’t discuss the allegation with police, investigators, or the other person without a lawyer present.
• Preserve, don’t delete. Keep phones, accounts, and messages as they are. Deleting or changing data can create a new problem.
• Follow bond conditions. Attend every court date. Under Texas Penal Code § 25.07, violating a bond condition in a family violence or sex crime case can be a separate offense.
• Write notes for your lawyer only. Record what you remember and when. Share the notes with your lawyer and no one else.
• Gather paperwork. Bring bond papers, any police notice, and any document that lists the charge names.

Why Barbieri Law Firm for Collin County Sex Crime Defense

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

Heather Jean Barbieri, Board Certified, Criminal Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She leads the firm and handles the criminal defense work described on this page.

On this page you’ll find:

• The charges the firm handles, listed above with their statutes
• A plain map of how Collin County cases move
• The questions to ask any lawyer, below

This page does not include case results, client reviews, or case stories. Those can reveal confidential details, so you won’t find them here. You can ask Barbieri Law Firm how it handles matters in your county’s courts.

Questions to Ask Barbieri Law Firm in Your Sex Crimes Consultation

In a consultation, ask Barbieri Law Firm how it will review your evidence, how fees work, and what options you have. A good answer is plain and specific.

Does being charged mean I will be convicted?

No. A charge is an accusation. The evidence and the court process decide what happens next.

Can a lawyer promise a result?

No lawyer can promise an outcome. A lawyer can review the evidence and explain your options.

Will my case be public?

Ask your lawyer which court records others can see and which stay private.

Does the firm handle cases in Plano, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, and Frisco?

Yes. The firm handles cases across Collin County, including Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, and Prosper, as well as Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas.

Is the consultation free, and how are fees handled?

You can schedule a free consultation. Ask how fees are set, including whether flat fees or payment plans apply to your matter.

Should I wait until I’m formally charged?

Early review can help you understand bond terms and contact with investigators. No result is promised, and early review does not replace a decision you make with your lawyer.

Talk to a Collin County Defense Lawyer About Your Charge

If you’ve received notice of an investigation, or you’ve been arrested or indicted in Collin County, you can have your charge and bond terms reviewed now. Schedule a free consultation, call (972) 424-1902, or send your case details through the contact form. The lawyer reviews your charge, bond status, and timing, then explains your options before you decide anything.

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