Dallas Sexual Abuse of a Young Child Lawyer | Chad A. West, PLLC
In light of the recent media frenzy over sexual abuse cases around the country, lawmakers and politicians alike are pushing for more strenuous laws in order to prevent the horrific atrocities committed by Sexual Predators against children. Sexual offenders have traditionally had some of the highest recidivism rates out of any other crimes in the United States.
If you have been accused of Sexual Abuse or Sexual Assault of a young child or children, contact Dallas Sexual Assault Attorney Chad West now! For 24 hour emergency JAIL RELEASE in Dallas or surrounding Counties, call us anytime day or night at 214-282-0035 and we will post bond for you at the Jail for release.
Definition of Sexual Abuse of a Young Child or Children
In 2007, Texas enacted the “Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Children” statute, or “Jessica’s Law”. This law meant stricter punishments for those convicted and more lenient jury requirements in cases involving perpetual Sexual Offense violations.
Texas Penal Code §21.02. Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Children
(a) In this section, “child” has the meaning assigned by Section 22.011(c).
(b) A person commits an offense if:
(1) during a period that is 30 or more days in duration, the person commits two or more acts of sexual abuse, regardless of whether the acts of sexual abuse are committed against one or more victims; and
(2) at the time of the commission of each of the acts of sexual abuse, the actor is 17 years of age or older and the victim is a child younger than 14 years of age.
(c) For purposes of this section, “act of sexual abuse” means any act that is a violation of one or more of the following penal laws:
(1) aggravated kidnapping under Section 20.04(a)(4), if the actor committed the offense with the intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually;
(2) indecency with a child under Section 21.11(a)(1), if the actor committed the offense in a manner other than by touching, including touching through clothing, the breast of a child;
(3) sexual assault under Section 22.011;
(4) aggravated sexual assault under Section 22.021;
(5) burglary under Section 30.02, if the offense is punishable under Subsection (d) of that section and the actor committed the offense with the intent to commit an offense listed in Subdivisions (1)-(4); and
(6) sexual performance by a child under Section 43.25.
(d) If a jury is the trier of fact, members of the jury are not required to agree unanimously on which specific acts of sexual abuse were committed by the defendant or the exact date when those acts were committed. The jury must agree unanimously that the defendant, during a period that is 30 or more days in duration, committed two or more acts of sexual abuse.
(e) A defendant may not be convicted in the same criminal action of an offense listed under Subsection (c) the victim of which is the same victim as a victim of the offense alleged under Subsection (b) unless the offense listed in Subsection (c):
(1) is charged in the alternative;
(2) occurred outside the period in which the offense alleged under Subsection (b) was committed; or
(3) is considered by the trier of fact to be a lesser included offense of the offense alleged under Subsection (b).
(f) A defendant may not be charged with more than one count under Subsection (b) if all of the specific acts of sexual abuse that are alleged to have been committed are alleged to have been committed against a single victim.
(g) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor:
(1) was not more than five years older than:
(A) the victim of the offense, if the offense is alleged to have been committed against only one victim; or
(B) the youngest victim of the offense, if the offense is alleged to have been committed against more than one victim;
(2) did not use duress, force, or a threat against a victim at the time of the commission of any of the acts of sexual abuse alleged as an element of the offense; and
(3) at the time of the commission of any of the acts of sexual abuse alleged as an element of the offense:
(A) was not required under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, to register for life as a sex offender; or
(B) was not a person who under Chapter 62 had a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense under this section or an act of sexual abuse as described by Subsection (c).
(h) An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 593, Sec. 1.17, eff. September 1, 2007.Definition of a Sex Crime
Under Jessica’s Law, if a person is 17 years or older and commits two or more acts of Sexual Abuse against a victim (or victims—it need not be the same victim) 14 years of age or younger in a period of thirty days or more, then that person is guilty of an offense of Continuous Sexual Abuse. Sexual Abuse includes molestation, penetration, compelling sexual performance and indecent exposure or compelling indecent exposure. A person is also guilty of an offense under this law if they commit burglary or kidnapping with the intent to do any of the abovementioned acts—the act does not need to take place, the prosecution must only prove to the jury that the person acted with the intent to commit Sexual Abuse.
In Jessica’s Law there is no statute of limitations period for cases brought under this provision. The offense in question could have happened years before the accuser brings suit—long after the victim has reached the age of consent and any witnesses have forgotten the sequence of events (or worse yet—moved away and are now unattainable).
For 24 hour emergency JAIL RELEASE in Dallas or Surrounding Counties, call us anytime day or night at 214-282-0035 and we will post bond for you at the Jail for release.
Chad West, Sex-Based Crimes Criminal Defense Attorney Dallas-Fort Worth
A conviction on any of these crimes could result in registration as a sex offender, usually for life, felony conviction and prison time. Sex Offender Registration and Chad West, PLLC
Contact Chad West, a Sex-Based Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer in Dallas-Fort Worth if you face an accusation of Continuous Sexual Assault. Do not make any statements to any parties involved. Sex-Based Crimes Attorney Chad West has the experience that you need in order to get the verdict that you need and deserve.
chad@chadwestlaw.com or 214-282-0035
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