Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Continuous sexual abuse of a child is an incredibly serious crime with harsh penalties. The State of Texas will impose a lengthy prison sentence and expensive conviction fines if they find a person guilty of continuous sexual abuse involving children. The best way to fight these types of charges is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney practiced in sex crimes.
If you’ve been accused of continuous sexual abuse with a child, you will need legal representation as soon as possible. Find that counsel today with defense lawyer Jackson Gorski.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Attorney, Austin, TX
Laws concerning sexual abuse involving children not only carry serious penalties but are complex. That is why it’s imperative you seek legal representation if you’ve been arrested for continuous sexual abuse of a child or any sex crimes involving children. The Law Office of Jackson F. Gorski is a premier law firm with years of experience handling defense cases with a special focus in sex crimes.
Schedule your first consultation with The Law Office of Jackson F. Gorski by calling our office at 512-960-4646. The Law Office of Jackson F. Gorski has offices in both Austin and Georgetown, but accepts clients in other counties including Travis County, Williamson County, Bell County, Hays County, Caldwell County, Bastrop County, Milam County, and Blanco County.
Information Center:
- Definition of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
- Examples of Sexual Abuse
- Penalties for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
- Additional Resources
Definition of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
The offense known as “continuous sexual abuse of a child” is defined under the Penal Code Section 21.01. According to the Code, a child is any person under the age of 17 years old. In order to convict a person of continuous sexual abuse of a child, the prosecution must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The defendant was at least 17 years old and the victim was younger than 14
- The defendant committed two or more acts of sexual abuse over a 30-day period
The Penal Code states it’s not an admissible defense to say the defendant did not know the victim’s age. The defendant can be charged with this crime even if the abuse was directed at multiple people, not just one child.
Examples of Sexual Abuse
Per the Texas Penal Code, any person who commits two or more acts of sexual abuse in a 30-day span will face a continuous sexual abuse of a child charge. What the State of Texas deems to be an act of sexual abuse is determined by the Code. A person can be charged under Section 21.01 of the Penal Code if they committed one of the following acts twice within 30 days.
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Burglary
- Aggravated kidnapping with intent to sexually abuse the victim
- Indecency with a child if the offense was committed in a manner other than touching the breast of a child
- Sexual performance of a child
- Child sex trafficking
- Compelling prostitution
Penalties for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
The State of Texas is not lenient towards those convicted of sex crimes against children. Under the Penal Code, continuous sexual abuse of a child is a first-degree felony. A first-degree felony is punishable by a minimum prison sentence of 25 years in prison. However, the maximum sentence for the crime is actually 99 years or life in prison.
In addition to the penalties above, the person will be required to register as a sex offender. They will have to notify their neighbors every time they move and will not be allowed near children in any capacity.
Additional Resources
Child Abuse in Texas | CACTX – The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas is a membership organization that represents children’s advocacy groups in the state of Texas. Visit this website to view annual statistics about child abuse, including child sexual abuse. According to CACTX, over 700,000 Texas children will be sexually abused by the age of 18.
Children and Teens: Statistics | RAINN – The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network is a nonprofit organization that focuses heavily on combating child sexual abuse. Visit this website to view data and graphs detailing the extent of sexual crimes committed against children. According to RAINN, about 93% of child sexual assaults are committed by someone the child knows.
Austin Attorney for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
At The Law Office of Jackson F. Gorski, we believe justice is blind. Everyone has the right to a defense and to utilize that defense against criminal prosecution. Fight for your rights today with the experienced criminal defense lawyer Jackson Gorski. He has years of knowledge, vast resources, and an extensive network he can use for your case.
Call The Law Office of Jackson F. Gorski today at 512-960-4646 or simply submit an online contact form to schedule your first consultation. The Law Office of Jackson F. Gorski represents clients in Austin, TX and nearby communities including Lockhart, Kyle, Georgetown, Round Rock, Anderson Mill, Cedar Park, Jollyville, Seguin, San Marcos, and Canyon Lake.
