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Montgomery County Sex Crime Lawyer
by Brian LaVine / Last Updated: June 26, 2026

If you are facing sex crime charges in Montgomery County, you must speak with a Montgomery County sex crime lawyer before you say one word to police. LaVine Law Firm defends people across Montgomery County, Texas, who stand accused of serious sex crimes. Call (713) 489-7692 now to protect your freedom, your family, and your future.

A sex crime accusation can turn your life upside down within hours. Your reputation, your job, your family relationships, and your standing in the community all hang in the balance. Sex offender registration may follow a conviction for the rest of your life.

You do not have to face this difficult time alone or feel guilty before any judge hears the facts. Our law firm will work tirelessly to protect your legal rights from day one. Reach out today for a private, judgment-free conversation about your case.

How LaVine Law Firm Can Help With a Sex Crime Charge in Montgomery County

LaVine Law Firm can help by protecting your rights, investigating the accusation, challenging the prosecution's evidence, and building a strong defense strategy from day one. Our criminal defense work focuses on early action, sharp courtroom skills, and personal attention for every client. We treat each case as unique.

Our highly experienced attorney handles every stage of the case, including:

  • Stepping in before police questioning to protect your right to remain silent
  • Reviewing search warrants and challenging illegal searches
  • Analyzing forensic reports, DNA results, and digital evidence
  • Cross-examining witnesses and testing the victim's credibility
  • Filing motions to suppress weak or unlawful evidence
  • Preparing for dismissal, plea talks, or trial

Early legal intervention often shapes the outcome of sex crime cases. A skilled sex crimes lawyer can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all. Contact our office today to put our criminal law experience to work for you.

Overview of Sex Crime Charges in TX

Sex crime charges in Texas may involve misdemeanor or felony allegations, but most carry felony exposure and lifelong consequences. Texas law uses strict labels like sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child, and continuous sexual abuse. Each carries its own elements and punishment range.

The major Texas sex crime categories include:

  • Sexual assault under Texas Penal Code §22.011
  • Aggravated sexual assault under Texas Penal Code §22.021
  • Indecency with a child under Texas Penal Code §21.11
  • Continuous sexual abuse of a young child or disabled person under §21.02
  • Possession or promotion of child pornography under §43.26
  • Sexual performance by a child under §43.25
  • Statutory rape and prostitution-related criminal offenses

The exact charge depends on many factors. Prosecutors weigh the age of the accuser, consent, force, alleged injury, and the relationship between the parties. They also look at digital evidence, prior criminal history, and the alleged conduct itself.

Date rape, child abuse, and child molestation allegations often trigger the harshest prosecution. Even a single accusation can lead to a long prison sentence and mandatory sex offender registration. The stakes could not be higher.

What Are the Penalties for Sex Crime Charges in Montgomery County, TX?

Penalties for sex crime charges in Montgomery County, TX, can include prison, jail, probation, fines, sex offender registration, and strict court conditions. Texas treats most sexual crimes as felonies with severe penalties. The exact sentence depends on the offense level and the facts of the case.

The Texas felony punishment ranges break down as follows:

  • First-degree felony: 5 to 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine
  • Second-degree felony: 2 to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine
  • Third-degree felony: 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine
  • State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years and up to a $10,000 fine

Specific charges line up with these ranges in distinct ways. Aggravated sexual assault is generally a first-degree felony. Sexual assault is often a second-degree felony, with enhancements possible based on prior convictions or victim status.

Indecency with a child may be charged as a second- or third-degree felony, depending on whether the case involves contact or exposure. Child pornography penalties grow based on promotion, the number of images, and prior convictions. Some convictions also lock in mandatory minimum prison terms with no parole.

A sex crime conviction often brings consequences far beyond the courtroom sentence. The court may add no-contact orders, GPS monitoring, and lifetime registration. Speak with a Montgomery County sex crime lawyer to understand your true exposure.

Other Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in TX

A sex crime conviction in Texas can affect you long after jail, prison, or probation ends. The collateral damage can last for the rest of your life. This is why avoiding or reducing the conviction may matter just as much as avoiding jail time.

Common collateral consequences include:

  • Mandatory or possible sex offender registration under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 62
  • Loss of current employment and future hiring opportunities
  • Discipline against professional licenses in medicine, law, education, and nursing
  • Immigration consequences, including deportation for noncitizens
  • Housing restrictions and rental denials near schools or parks
  • Child custody and visitation limits with your own family members
  • Firearm restrictions after any felony conviction
  • Public reputation damage from the sex offender registry

A criminal record for any sex offense follows you through every background check. Our criminal defense work aims to protect your future, not just the present case.

How Can I Defend Myself Against a Sex Crime Charge?

The best first steps are to stay silent, hire a lawyer early, preserve evidence, and force prosecutors to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. A strong defense strategy starts the moment you suspect you are under investigation. Never try to explain things to police on your own.

Possible defenses depend on the exact charge and the available evidence, but may include:

  • False accusation or mistaken identity
  • Consent, where the law allows it
  • Lack of intent or lack of knowledge about the alleged conduct
  • Illegal search and seizure of phones or computers
  • Miranda violations or coerced statements
  • Unreliable forensic evidence and lab errors
  • Chain of custody problems with DNA or physical items
  • Digital evidence issues with cloud storage, metadata, or shared devices
  • Inconsistent witness statements or shifting timelines
  • Alibi evidence or GPS location data

Defenses must fit the facts of your case. Allegations of date rape, statutory rape, or non-consensual sexual contact each call for different approaches. The age of the accuser, alleged force, and prior relationship all shape the path forward.

Do not contact the accuser, delete messages, or speak to local law enforcement without your lawyer. These steps often harm the defense and lead to new criminal charges. Let your attorney guide every move from this point on.

What Should You Do After Being Arrested or Investigated for a Sex Crime in Montgomery County?

Do not answer any questions without a lawyer present, no matter how friendly the officers seem. Police want statements, not your side of the story. Stay calm and ask for an attorney right away.

Your urgent action steps include:

  • Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to counsel
  • Refuse consent to searches of your phone, computer, or home
  • Avoid all contact with the accuser, witnesses, or their family
  • Save texts, call logs, GPS data, receipts, photos, and social media records
  • Write down a private timeline for your lawyer's eyes only
  • Follow every bond condition the judge sets

Early intervention may shape charging decisions, bond terms, protective orders, and evidence preservation. Call our office at (713) 489-7692 the moment you suspect trouble.

Why Digital Evidence Matters in Child Pornography and Sex Crime Cases

Digital evidence can decide many sex crime cases because allegations often involve phones, messages, photos, apps, location records, or online activity. A forensic review of your devices can either build or break the prosecution's case. Every byte matters.

Common digital evidence sources include:

  • Text messages and direct messages on social media
  • Dating app conversations and profiles
  • Cloud backups from iCloud, Google, or Dropbox
  • Internet browser history and search logs
  • Metadata on photos and videos
  • IP addresses and login records
  • Device ownership and password access
  • Shared computers or family devices

Defense counsel may challenge whether you knowingly possessed, viewed, downloaded, sent, or controlled the material. In child pornography or online solicitation cases, this challenge often makes the difference between conviction and acquittal.

What if I were falsely accused of a Sex Crime in Montgomery County?

If you were falsely accused of a sex crime, the defense must focus on evidence preservation, motive, inconsistencies, and witness credibility from day one. False accusations happen more often than people think. Yet the case will not vanish on its own.

Common false accusation factors include:

  • Custody disputes during divorce proceedings
  • Revenge, jealousy, or pressure from family members
  • Misidentification of the accused person
  • Misinterpreted text messages or social media posts
  • Inconsistent timelines and shifting stories

Our defense uses records, messages, surveillance footage, location data, and witness testimony to test the allegation. Being falsely accused is terrifying, but the truth often comes out with a skilled investigation. Speak with a sex crimes lawyer right away.

How Child Molestation Allegations Are Handled in Texas Criminal Law

Child molestation allegations in Texas are treated as serious felony-level matters that trigger aggressive prosecution, protective orders, and registration consequences. These cases move fast through the system. The accused often face restrictions on contact with their own children.

Texas prosecutors may file these allegations under several statutes:

  • Indecency with a child under §21.11
  • Sexual assault of a child under §22.011
  • Aggravated sexual assault under §22.021
  • Continuous sexual abuse of a young child under §21.02

Key legal factors include the age of the accuser, alleged physical contact or exposure, alleged use of force or threats, and the prior relationship between the parties. Statements from children, parents, investigators, or forensic interviewers also play a major role.

The defense may examine forensic interview procedures, inconsistent statements, family dynamics, and digital evidence. We test every statutory element the prosecution must prove. Our work is always in the client's best interest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Crime Charges in Montgomery County

Can I be charged with a sex crime if there is no physical evidence?

Yes. Texas prosecutors may pursue sex crime charges using testimony, messages, forensic reports, digital evidence, or circumstantial evidence alone, even without physical proof of the alleged offense.

Is sexual assault a felony in Texas?

Yes. Sexual assault is generally a felony in Texas, with penalties depending on the facts, age, consent issues, and enhancements that may apply.

What should I do if the police want to search my phone?

Do not consent without legal advice. Ask for a lawyer right away and avoid deleting, changing, or hiding anything on the device.

Can a sex crime charge be dismissed?

Yes. Dismissal may be possible if the evidence is weak, illegally obtained, unreliable, or insufficient to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

What if the accusation came from a custody dispute?

Tell your lawyer right away. Custody-related motives, timelines, messages, and witness credibility may be powerful evidence in your defense.

Do all sex crime convictions require registration?

No. Sex offender registration depends on the exact offense, conviction, plea terms, and the requirements under Texas Chapter 62.

Every case deserves a strong defense
schedule a free confidential consultation

Schedule a Case Evaluation with a Montgomery County Sex Crime Lawyer

Contact LaVine Law Firm now if you are facing severe sex crime allegations in Montgomery County, Texas. You must avoid discussing your situation with law enforcement or any minor without an attorney present. Do not wait until you are formally convicted, arrested, indicted, or issued a court date to take action. Every hour without counsel can hurt your defense, but our experienced team can help you feel confident moving forward.

Our Montgomery County sex crime lawyer offers a free consultation to review the facts, explain your legal options, and start building your defense. Call (713) 489-7692 today to speak in private with a Texas-licensed attorney. LaVine Law Firm stands ready to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Brian LaVine
owner & managing attorney
About The Author
Brian, a University of Texas at Austin graduate, earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in December 2014, specializing in criminal law and trial advocacy.

During law school, he was a mock trial quarterfinalist and also interned at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, gaining valuable courtroom and prosecutorial insight.

With extensive experience in misdemeanor and felony cases, Brian is dedicated to providing an aggressive defense, outworking the prosecution to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients.
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