{"id":737,"date":"2026-10-16T01:54:03","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T01:54:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbierilawfirm.com\/guides\/online-sex-crimes-defense-lawyer\/aggravated-sexual-assault-of-a-child-defense-lawyer-texas\/"},"modified":"2026-11-01T23:52:53","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T23:52:53","slug":"aggravated-sexual-assault-of-a-child-defense-lawyer-texas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/barbierilawfirm.com\/guides\/online-sex-crimes-defense-lawyer\/aggravated-sexual-assault-of-a-child-defense-lawyer-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Defense Lawyer Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Frisco, Texas | Collin County and Dallas-Fort Worth<\/p>

Facing an Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Charge? Talk With a Texas Defense Lawyer Today<\/h1>

Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm in Frisco that defends people accused of child sex offenses across Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas. Heather Barbieri will review the charge with you and explain your options in plain terms.<\/p>

Schedule Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div>
Schedule Your Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By Heather Barbieri \u00b7 Published October 15, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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If you need an aggravated sexual assault of a child defense lawyer in Texas, this page explains the charge, the penalties and the process in plain terms. Aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first-degree felony. Barbieri Law Firm is an all-women criminal defense firm in Frisco, Texas. It defends professionals accused of sex crimes and assaultive offenses across Collin County, Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas.<\/p>\n

What Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Means Under Texas Law<\/h2>\n

Aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first-degree felony under Texas Penal Code \u00a7 22.021<\/a>. The conduct in subsection (a)(1), done intentionally or knowingly, involves penetration of, or certain contact with, a child’s anus, sexual organ or mouth; the offense also requires an aggravating circumstance listed in subsection (a)(2). It applies whether or not the accused knew the child’s age.<\/p>\n

Subsection (a)(1) of Texas Penal Code \u00a7 22.021<\/a> describes the conduct portion of aggravated sexual assault. The first is intentionally or knowingly causing, without the other person’s consent, the penetration of another person’s anus or sexual organ by any means, the penetration of another person’s mouth by the actor’s sexual organ, or the other person’s sexual organ to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor. The second is, regardless of whether the person knows the child’s age at the time of the offense, intentionally or knowingly causing the penetration of a child’s anus or sexual organ by any means, the penetration of a child’s mouth by the actor’s sexual organ, or a child’s sexual organ to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor. Subsection (a)(2) lists the aggravating circumstances, including a victim younger than 14, serious bodily injury, a deadly weapon or threats, and the specific aggravator alleged in the charge shapes how the case is defended.<\/p>\n

Under the first-degree felony penalty range, the sentence is life, or 5 to 99 years, in prison, plus a fine up to $10,000 (Penal Code \u00a7 12.32<\/a>). However, under \u00a7 22.021<\/a>(f), the sentence is a minimum of 25 years when the victim is younger than 6, or younger than 14 with certain aggravating circumstances, and a person serving a sentence for an offense under \u00a7 22.021 punishable under subsection (f) is not eligible for parole under Gov’t Code \u00a7 508.145(a). For other \u00a7 22.021 sentences, parole eligibility generally follows Gov’t Code \u00a7 508.145(d), except the repeat-offender life sentences described below. The Texas Attorney General’s offense ranges chart<\/a> also lists these ranges.<\/p>\n

Prior felony convictions raise the range. Under Penal Code \u00a7 12.32<\/a>, a first-degree felony is punishable by life, or by 5 to 99 years. Except as provided by subdivisions (c)(3) and (c)(4), Texas Penal Code \u00a7 12.42(c)(2)<\/a> requires imprisonment for life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice when a person convicted of a listed sexual offense, such as an offense under Section 20A.03, sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault, has a previous conviction for a listed sexual offense. A life sentence under \u00a7 12.42(c)(2) is not eligible for parole until the person has served 35 calendar years under Texas Government Code \u00a7 508.145(c). Separately, \u00a7 12.42(c)(4) requires life without parole for certain repeat sexual offenses against children.<\/p>\n\n

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If someone you love has been accused of aggravated sexual assault of a child, our team can talk through the charge with you in a free initial consultation. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Who This Defense Is For<\/h2>\n

Adults facing this charge, and the family members who support them, need a clear picture of the case before making decisions. This defense fits several common situations.<\/p>\n