{"id":186,"date":"2026-10-12T23:16:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T23:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/35-229-99-24.nip.io\/?page_id=186"},"modified":"2026-10-12T23:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T23:16:15","slug":"celina","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/barbierilawfirm.com\/guides\/child-sex-crimes-defense\/celina\/","title":{"rendered":"Child Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Celina, Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child Sex Crimes Defense<\/p>

Child Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Celina, Texas<\/h1>

Experienced criminal defense for professionals facing accusations of child sex crimes. Heather Barbieri, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, defends clients across Collin County.<\/p>

Schedule a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div>
Schedule a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why Barbieri Law Firm<\/h2>\n

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Board Certified<\/h3>

Criminal Law \u2014 Texas Board of Legal Specialization<\/p><\/div>

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All-Women<\/h3>

Criminal Defense Team<\/p><\/div>

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Frisco-Based<\/h3>

Serving Collin County & DFW<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By Heather Barbieri \u00b7 Published October 05, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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If you or a family member has been accused of a child sex crime in Celina, Texas, you need immediate legal representation from an attorney who understands the severity of these charges and the local prosecution practices in Collin County. Barbieri Law Firm, based in nearby Frisco, defends individuals facing child sex crime allegations across Celina and the surrounding areas with dedicated counsel focused on protecting your constitutional rights from the moment of accusation.<\/p>\n

Child Sex Crimes Defense in Celina, Texas<\/h2>\n

Child sex crime charges in Celina fall under Texas state law and are prosecuted by the Collin County District Attorney’s office for felony charges. These accusations carry severe penalties\u2014including lengthy prison sentences, lifetime sex offender registration, loss of professional licenses, and restrictions on where you can live and work. The stakes are extraordinarily high, and the window to protect your rights is narrow. From the first police contact, every statement you make and every piece of evidence gathered can be used against you. An experienced defense attorney intervenes immediately to ensure your rights are protected and to begin investigating the allegations against you.<\/p>\n\n

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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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What Constitutes a Child Sex Crime Under Texas Law<\/h2>\n

Texas law defines several distinct child sex crimes, each with different elements that prosecutors must prove beyond reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n

Indecency with a Child<\/strong> (Tex. Penal Code \u00a7 21.11<\/a>) occurs when an adult engages in sexual contact with a child or exposes their genitals with intent to arouse or gratify, knowing the child will be offended or alarmed. This is a second-degree felony (2 to 20 years in prison) when sexual contact occurs, or a third-degree felony (2 to 10 years) when limited to exposure.<\/p>\n

Sexual Assault of a Child<\/strong> (Tex. Penal Code \u00a7 22.011<\/a>) involves penetration or sexual contact with a child without consent. Depending on the child’s age and circumstances, this ranges from a second-degree felony (2 to 20 years) to a first-degree felony (5 to 99 years or life imprisonment).<\/p>\n

Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child<\/strong> (Tex. Penal Code \u00a7 22.021<\/a>) is a first-degree felony (5 to 99 years or life) involving sexual assault with injury, threat, or weapons. When the victim is younger than 10 or younger than 14 with certain aggravating factors, a mandatory minimum of 25 years applies.<\/p>\n

Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child<\/strong> (Tex. Penal Code \u00a7 21.02<\/a>) is a first-degree felony (25 to 99 years or life) when an adult engages in two or more acts of sexual abuse against the same child over at least 30 days.<\/p>\n

Online Sex Crimes<\/strong> (Tex. Penal Code \u00a7 33.021<\/a>) include solicitation of a minor through sexually explicit communication or attempts to meet a minor for sexual conduct. These range from third-degree felonies (2 to 10 years) to first-degree felonies (5 to 99 years or life) depending on the minor’s age and whether the conduct occurred during school hours.<\/p>\n

None of these offenses have a statute of limitations in Texas\u2014prosecutors can bring charges years after an alleged incident.<\/p>\n

How Child Sex Crimes Are Prosecuted in Collin County<\/h2>\n

The Collin County District Attorney’s office handles all felony sex crime prosecutions in Celina and surrounding areas. Investigations typically involve specialized units, forensic examination of digital devices, medical findings, and witness interviews. Prosecutors build their case by gathering evidence they believe proves each element of the charge beyond reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n

Understanding how Collin County prosecutors approach these cases is critical to mounting an effective defense. Early investigation by your attorney\u2014before the prosecution’s narrative hardens\u2014can uncover investigative weaknesses, procedural violations, and credibility issues that may challenge the state’s case. Your attorney examines how evidence was collected, whether constitutional protections were respected, and whether witness statements are reliable.<\/p>\n

Consequences of a Child Sex Crime Conviction<\/h2>\n

A conviction for a child sex crime in Texas carries consequences far beyond prison time.<\/p>\n

Prison Sentences:<\/strong> Depending on the specific charge and circumstances, sentences range from 2 years to life imprisonment. Aggravated sexual assault of a child carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years in many cases.<\/p>\n

Sex Offender Registration:<\/strong> A conviction for sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault requires lifetime sex offender registration<\/a> under Texas law. This registration is public, affects employment opportunities, restricts where you can live, and limits your proximity to schools, parks, and other child-populated areas.<\/p>\n

Professional License Loss:<\/strong> Many professional licenses\u2014teaching, healthcare, counseling, law enforcement\u2014are automatically suspended or revoked following a sex crime conviction.<\/p>\n

Employment and Housing Barriers:<\/strong> Employers and landlords routinely conduct background checks. A sex crime conviction makes employment and housing extremely difficult to obtain.<\/p>\n

Custody and Family Consequences:<\/strong> Parents or guardians facing these charges often lose custody of their own children and face family dissolution.<\/p>\n

Immigration Consequences:<\/strong> Non-citizens convicted of sex crimes face deportation and permanent bars to re-entry.<\/p>\n

The collateral damage extends far beyond the courtroom.<\/p>\n

Why You Need a Defense Attorney Immediately<\/h2>\n

The moment you learn of an accusation or police contact, time becomes your most valuable asset. Here’s why immediate legal representation matters:<\/p>\n

Police Statements:<\/strong> Anything you say to police without an attorney present can be used against you in court. Even statements you believe are exculpatory (clearing you) can be misinterpreted or used out of context. An attorney communicates with investigators on your behalf and protects you from self-incrimination.<\/p>\n

Evidence Preservation:<\/strong> Early investigation allows your attorney to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and document facts before memories fade or evidence is lost.<\/p>\n

Constitutional Protection:<\/strong> Your attorney ensures that police followed proper procedures during investigation, arrest, and evidence collection. Violations of your constitutional rights\u2014illegal searches, coercive questioning, Miranda violations\u2014can result in evidence being excluded from trial.<\/p>\n

Strategic Advantage:<\/strong> Legal strategy developed early shapes the entire course of your case. Your attorney identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and begins building your defense immediately.<\/p>\n

Barbieri Law Firm’s Approach to Child Sex Crime Defense<\/h2>\n

Heather Barbieri is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization<\/a>, the only recognized certification body for criminal law specialization in Texas. This certification reflects specialized knowledge, experience, and ethical standards in criminal defense.<\/p>\n

Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm based in Frisco, serving Celina, McKinney, Plano, Allen, Prosper, and throughout Collin County. The firm’s practice focuses exclusively on sex crimes and assaultive offenses\u2014not general criminal defense.<\/p>\n

Our approach includes:<\/p>\n