{"id":6302,"date":"2026-11-02T08:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T08:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbierilawfirm.com\/guides\/guides-child-sex-crime-charges-texas\/guides-sexual-assault-of-an-adult-charge-texas\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:00:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T16:00:46","slug":"guides-sexual-assault-of-an-adult-charge-texas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/barbierilawfirm.com\/guides\/guides-child-sex-crime-charges-texas\/guides-sexual-assault-of-an-adult-charge-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Sexual Assault of an Adult Charge: Texas Defense Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sexual Assault of an Adult | Collin County and Dallas-Fort Worth<\/p>

Charged With Sexual Assault of an Adult in Texas? Start With a Careful Defense.<\/h1>

Barbieri Law Firm, based in Frisco, defends people accused of sexual assault of an adult across Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas. We will review the evidence, explain your options and answer your questions. No lawyer can promise a result.<\/p>

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By Heather Barbieri \u00b7 Published November 2, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Accused of Sexual Assault? What This Charge Means for You Right Now<\/h2>\n

An accusation is not a conviction, but the first days after it can shape what comes next. If you are facing a sexual assault of an adult charge, a Texas defense lawyer can review your situation before you say anything else.<\/p>\n

Maybe a detective called and asked you to come in. Maybe a protective order was served, or you learned a warrant exists. Your career, your reputation and your family may suddenly feel at risk. That fear is normal.<\/p>\n

Many people in this spot want to explain, clear things up and move on. That instinct can hurt you. Before you speak with police or post anything about this accusation, contact our firm.<\/p>\n

Before you answer questions or post about the accusation, talk with a criminal defense lawyer. Have the lawyer review what is alleged, what police have, and what you should say. Early review matters because the facts are still being set.<\/p>\n\n

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A detective's call or a protective order can change your week in an hour, and you don't have to face it alone. Barbieri Law Firm can review your situation before you say anything else. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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What Texas Law Says a Sexual Assault of an Adult Requires<\/h2>\n

Under Texas law, sexual assault means intentionally or knowingly causing penetration or sexual contact without the other person’s consent. Penal Code \u00a7 22.011<\/a> lists the acts, including penetration of the anus or sexual organ by any means.<\/p>\n

Consent is the center of most adult cases. The statute treats an act as without consent in certain situations, for example where the other person is unconscious or physically unable to resist, or lacks awareness that the act is taking place, and it requires that the actor know of that condition and that the other person has not consented. Penal Code \u00a7 1.07<\/a> defines consent as assent in fact, whether express or apparent, and \u00a7 22.011(c)<\/a>(1-a) adopts that definition for sexual assault cases.<\/p>\n

Each charge is made up of specific parts, and we will review how the evidence addresses each one. That includes the act, the lack of consent and the required mental state. A defense lawyer tests each piece against the evidence.<\/p>\n

Aggravated sexual assault is a separate charge. Texas law treats certain circumstances as aggravating factors in an aggravated sexual assault charge, including causing serious bodily injury, using or exhibiting a deadly weapon, or a victim younger than 14. The charge level depends on the facts alleged, so the first review matters.<\/p>\n

Penalties and Collateral Consequences Professionals Face<\/h2>\n

Sexual assault of an adult is generally a second-degree felony in Texas. A second-degree felony is punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000 may be added.<\/p>\n

Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony. A first-degree felony is punishable by life or 5 to 99 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000 may be added.<\/p>\n

Registration can follow too. Under Code of Criminal Procedure art. 62.001<\/a>, a reportable conviction or adjudication includes deferred adjudication for sexual assault. Ask about this early, before any plea decision.<\/p>\n

Licensing boards, employers and family can react to a charge or a conviction. How each one responds depends on your license, your employer’s rules and the facts. Your lawyer can review these questions with you early.<\/p>\n

How a Defense Is Built for the Accused Professional<\/h2>\n

A defense starts with the record: the complaint, police reports, any statements you gave, and the evidence on each part of the charge. Then the lawyer plans the steps that protect you while the case is open.<\/p>\n

Protective orders are often a near-term concern. A magistrate may issue an emergency protection order at a first appearance after arrest for a sexual assault offense, under Code of Criminal Procedure art. 17.292<\/a>. The order stays in effect for at least 61 days and up to 91 days. A violation can bring a fine of up to $4,000, jail time of up to one year, or both. Article 17.292(g) requires the order to warn that an act resulting in a separate offense may be prosecuted as a separate misdemeanor or felony offense, in addition to a violation of the order, and that a separate felony carries confinement in prison for at least two years.<\/p>\n

Bond conditions carry their own risk. Penal Code \u00a7 25.07<\/a> makes it an offense to knowingly or intentionally violate, in a sexual assault case, a bond condition related to the safety of a victim or the safety of the community, when the violation is one of the acts the statute lists.<\/p>\n

The review also examines the accusation itself, including its timing, the evidence and any available defenses. The consent defense in Penal Code \u00a7 22.06<\/a> covers only \u00a7\u00a7 22.01<\/a>, 22.02 and 22.05, not a sexual assault charge under \u00a7 22.011<\/a>. Penal Code \u00a7 22.06<\/a> makes consent a defense to assault, aggravated assault and deadly conduct charges if the conduct did not threaten or inflict serious bodily injury, or if the victim knew the conduct was a risk of the victim’s occupation, recognized medical treatment, or a scientific experiment conducted by recognized methods. The defense is not available to a defendant who commits the offense as a condition of the defendant’s or the victim’s initiation or continued membership in a criminal street gang.<\/p>\n

Your lawyer will explain plea, pretrial and trial options in plain terms. That way you can make informed decisions.<\/p>\n

What to Expect: The Texas Process From Charge to Resolution<\/h2>\n

A sexual assault of an adult charge Texas defense lawyer can walk you through each stage. A typical case moves from arrest or warrant to bond, investigation, a possible indictment, pretrial steps, and then a plea decision or trial. Timing varies by county, court schedule and case complexity.<\/p>\n