{"id":6060,"date":"2026-11-02T01:35:18","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T01:35:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbierilawfirm.com\/guides\/guides-child-sex-crime-charges-texas\/guides-child-sexual-assault-charges-years-later-texas\/"},"modified":"2026-11-03T00:53:35","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T00:53:35","slug":"guides-child-sexual-assault-charges-years-later-texas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/barbierilawfirm.com\/guides\/guides-child-sex-crime-charges-texas\/guides-child-sexual-assault-charges-years-later-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Child Sexual Assault Charges Years Later in Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sex Crimes Defense | Collin County and Dallas-Fort Worth<\/p>

Child Sexual Assault Charges Years Later in Texas<\/h1>

An allegation that surfaces long after the events it describes raises hard questions about evidence, memory and timing. Heather Barbieri and our team review every detail of your case and explain your options.<\/p>

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By Heather Barbieri \u00b7 Published November 1, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Child sexual assault charges years later Texas prosecutors file can feel impossible to answer. This page explains the offenses, the time limits, what a late report means for the defense, and how Barbieri Law Firm reviews these cases in Frisco and Collin County.<\/p>\n

An Old Accusation Just Became a First-Degree Felony Case: What the Charge Means<\/h2>\n

The following charges may apply in these cases.<\/p>\n

Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony under Texas law. Continuous sexual abuse of a young child is a different charge. It requires two or more acts of sexual abuse committed during a period of 30 or more days by a person 17 or older against a child younger than 14.<\/p>\n

The 30-day window matters. If a jury hears the case, jurors do not have to agree on each act or each exact date. They must agree that two or more acts happened during a period of 30 or more days. That makes the timeline one of the first things we test.<\/p>\n

Penalties come from statute. Continuous sexual abuse of a young child carries life or 25 to 99 years. A first-degree felony carries life or 5 to 99 years (Penal Code \u00a7 12.32<\/a>). The Texas Attorney General offense ranges<\/a> show when the minimum rises to 25 years. Check the exact charge before you rely on any range.<\/p>\n\n

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If a report from years ago has become a felony charge while a custody or CPS case is still open, we can review your timeline and options with you. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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How Texas Time Limits Apply: The Statute of Limitations and When the Clock Starts<\/h2>\n

Some periods are not counted toward the limit.<\/p>\n

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 12.05<\/a>, the time during which the accused is absent from the state is not computed in the period of limitation. Under Code of Criminal Procedure art. 12.05<\/a>, time the accused is absent from Texas is not counted. Time while an indictment, information or complaint is pending is also not counted. An indictment counts as presented once a grand jury acts on it and the court receives it (Code of Criminal Procedure art. 12.06<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Time limits are one place where child sexual assault charges years later Texas cases get tested. We start with four questions:<\/p>\n