Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers in Frisco and Across Texas

Barbieri Law Firm does not present itself as a San Pedro, California lawyer. Its sex crimes and assaultive offense defense practice is in Texas, covering Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth and statewide matters. If you searched for a San Pedro sex crimes defense lawyer, the rest of this page explains the Texas charges, the review steps and what to bring to a first call.

Where Barbieri Law Firm Defends Sex Crime Charges

Barbieri Law Firm defends sex crime and assaultive charges under Texas law. Its work covers Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth and matters across the state. Clients from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Celina, Southlake, Dallas, The Woodlands and Midland can contact the firm about Texas cases.

San Pedro, California is outside this practice. A reader with a case in California should not treat this page as an offer to represent them there.

The firm is led by Heather Jean Barbieri, Board Certified, Criminal Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The firm’s lawyers are Heather Barbieri and Carrie Thomas. The firm’s assistants and office staff are staff, not lawyers.

Sex Crime and Assaultive Charges the Firm Defends in Texas

The firm defends sex crimes, aggravated sexual assault, child sex crimes, online sex crimes, aggravated assault, family violence, and theft for students and non-citizens. Each category has its own elements and penalties under Texas law.

The exact charge on the paperwork shapes the whole review.

Theft under Texas Penal Code § 31.03 happens when a person unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of it. The grade depends on the value of the property and other listed factors.

Section 31.03 contains no separate rule for students or non-citizens; theft is established by unlawfully appropriating property with intent to deprive the owner of it.

How Online and Digital Sex Crime Allegations Are Reviewed

Online sex crime cases turn on messages, images, account records and device data. They also turn on how that evidence was collected.

Under Texas Penal Code § 33.021, a minor is someone younger than 17, or someone the accused believes is younger than 17. Often the central question is what the accused believed about age.

It is not a defense to the solicit-to-meet offense that the meeting did not occur. The statute does list defenses. One covers an accused not more than three years older than the minor when the minor consented.

Grading matters too. Under Penal Code § 33.021(f), the offense described in subsection (c) is a second-degree felony. An offense under subsection (b) is a felony of the third degree, except that it is a felony of the second degree if the minor is younger than 14 years of age, or if the actor believes the minor is younger than 14 at the time of the offense.

A useful review builds a timeline of the messages in order. It asks who had access to each device and how each account was accessed. It also asks whether a warrant, device seizure or subpoena was used. These steps can be part of the file.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children explains the tactics involved in online enticement. The federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program investigates technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation.

Child Sex Crimes and Aggravated Sexual Assault Allegations

Under Texas Penal Code § 22.021, an offense of aggravated sexual assault is a felony of the first degree.

Continuous sexual abuse of a young child under Texas Penal Code § 21.02 requires two or more acts of sexual abuse over 30 or more days. The actor must be 17 or older, and the victim must be a child younger than 14 or a disabled individual. The offense is a first-degree felony.

Indecency with a child turns on the conduct. Continuous sexual abuse of a young child or disabled individual under Section 21.02 is a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years.

Possession or promotion of child pornography is graded by the number of depictions, prior qualifying convictions and the age of a depicted child.

A review of these cases usually starts with the charging documents and the timeline. It then covers witness statements, recorded interviews, and any medical or forensic evidence. Consequences depend on the facts and the specific statute charged. No lawyer can say in advance how a case will end.

Related Assault and Family Violence Charges

Aggravated assault is a second-degree felony in its base form. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.02, it becomes a first-degree felony in listed cases, such as using a deadly weapon that causes serious bodily injury to a person in a listed family or dating relationship.

Family violence is defined by who the people are to each other. It also covers a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent harm. The definition excludes defensive measures to protect oneself.

The review looks at the scene, each person’s statement and any protective order. It also looks at 911 recordings and body camera video, which can show what was said and when.

What to Do If You Are Under Investigation or Arrested

The most useful first steps are to write down what you remember and to speak with a lawyer before answering investigators’ questions. Write the timeline while your memory is fresh. Keep it private and share it with your lawyer.

Avoid posting about the allegation on social media. Do not discuss it with the person who made the accusation. A lawyer can contact the investigating agency for you and review what is in the file.

Some outcomes carry lasting effects.

Records can also follow you. They can affect criminal-history checks for employment or licensing.

What Happens at Your First Consultation

The first consultation is free, confidential and without obligation to continue. It is a chance to review your situation before you decide anything.

Bring the charging papers or bond paperwork, any protective order, and the names of the agencies involved. Write a timeline of dates and events. Bring messages, device details and any recordings you have.

The lead lawyer will review the evidence, including device data, recordings and reports. Then the lawyer will explain the options that apply to your case.

Talk With Barbieri Law Firm About Your Texas Case

If you are weighing whether to speak with a Texas lawyer now, the next step is a direct conversation about your paperwork.

If a text, a police call or a charge has you weighing whether to talk with a lawyer now, call (972) 424-1902 or send your case details through the contact form. A lawyer will go over your paperwork with you and explain your options.

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