Per the Texas Family Code, child abuse can be anything from failing to prevent another person from abusing a child or failing to prevent harm to a child to causing physical harm. Child abuse is broadly defined but heavily prosecuted by the state – innocent people can be caught up in the system with no seeming recourse. You have options! However, you need the best child abuse lawyers in Dallas to represent you.
The penalties for child abuse in Texas can range from a fine and up to 99 years in prison, on top of severe damage to your reputation. Potentially, even worse, if you are accused of abusing your own child, you may lose custody. This is not something you can risk to face on your own. At MC Criminal Law, we have experience from both sides of the aisle, as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. We know what the best defense is in your situation.
| Common Child Abuse Accusations | Corresponding Texas Penal Code |
| Assault | 22.01 |
| Sexual Assault | 22.011 |
| Injury to a Child | 22.04 |
| Abandoning or Endangering a Child | 22.041 |
The possession, production, or distribution of child pornography are all extremely serious charges in Texas. The penalties can range from state jail felonies to first-degree felonies. You may think you have done nothing wrong – you may have recorded a child with innocent intentions or were sent materials that you did not know depicted minors. These are valid defenses, but only when applied properly. You are not helping yourself by talking to the police on your own. You need experienced child abuse lawyers to make the case for you
is considered aggravated assault and is usually a second-degree felony with a prison sentence of two to 20 years. Child assault accusations can stem from a lot of situations, from simple misunderstandings to intentionally false accusations in a marital dispute. A proper defense requires dedication and expertise, from forensic interviewing to a deep understanding of child psychology. Our attorneys can defend you against child abuse accusations.
A person who is charged with sexual assault of a minor faces a fine, prison time, and mandatory registration in the sex offender registry, even if a plea bargain was negotiated. In Texas, a minor is classified as someone under the age of 17 in most cases. Innocent people can be falsely accused, and sometimes it can be a case of mistaken identity. Regardless of the circumstances, these charges are devastating, even when there is no conviction. Our child sexual abuse lawyers have the experience to delicately navigate these accusations to minimize the harm to your future.
Continuous sexual assault is defined as two or more acts of sexual abuse or violence committed against a minor over a period of 30 days or more. This is a first-degree felony with a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison to the rest of a person’s life. Additionally, like with regular sexual assault of a minor, the consequences to a person’s reputation and way of life may be even more severe. If you believe in your innocence, contact our child abuse lawyers in Dallas to represent you.
Child trafficking is classified as recruiting or transporting a minor to perform labor or provide services, not necessarily of a sexual nature. A person can also be charged with child trafficking if they engage in sexual conduct with a trafficked child, regardless of whether they knew the child was a minor at the time that the alleged offense happened. When the victim is a minor, the prosecution does not need to prove that force was threatened or used or that the minor was coerced. However, they do need to prove all elements of the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Our child abuse lawyers will work hard to prove your innocence or raise reasonable doubt with a jury.
At MC Criminal Law, we understand the toll that being accused of causing harm to a child can take. You may lose the will to fight even before the investigation is concluded.
We know how to navigate these charges and will fight on your behalf. Contact our child abuse defense lawyers and let us discuss how to defend you against these charges.
This company is top notch, they really listen to you. They make sure you understand the process and keep you updated. Definitely would recommend to anyone looking for an attorney!
Call them! They definitely know what’s best for you and how to comfort their clients in a rough time.
Messina and Kendall at MC Criminal Law are my go-to attorneys for clients needing representation in criminal defense matters.
Kendall is very professional and an incredible lawyer. He and Liz helped me at every step in the process, resulting in dismissal in my case. If you need a lawyer for a criminal case, absolutely go with MC Criminal Law.
An excellent attorney to be engaged with for your peace of mind and trust for a positive outcome.
Excellent customer service…MC Criminal Law is a top-notch law firm. They really helped me through a tough time and fought to find the truth behind my case. They listened, stayed fair, and asked the right questions. I’m so glad they were on my side! They saw through the “red tape” and got my case dismissed.
This is the absolute best law firm I’ve ever experienced. They promised me results & I got EXACTLY THAT.
I had the privilege of being represented by Messina. This process was all new to my family and me, and I’m very glad to say she was able to give us the peace of mind that everything would okay. Happy to say my case was dismissed. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Mrs. Madson and her team.
Jessica is truly a fighter. She’s honest about what she can do, passionate about her work, and she genuinely cares it’s not just about the money with her. If you or a loved one is facing any criminal situation, call Jessica. Trust her process. She will stand by you and fight for you.
I spoke with 2 other attorneys prior to hiring Kendall, and there was a big difference in how they handled their clients. Kendall guides you through the whole process. Liz does an amazing job at providing updates and helping you feel at ease. I recommend this law firm to anyone.
The penalties for child abuse in Texas will depend on the specific charges that the Prosecutor’s Office brings forth. They can range from 180 to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for state jail felonies to life imprisonment for first-degree felonies.
Texas law considers persons 14 or under children, which is important for classifying many offenses, however, certain crimes may be committed against minors over the age of 14.
For certain offenses, the age of the alleged perpetrator at the time that an offense was committed can be a factor and the basis of a legal defense.
