Most people feel the consequences of a criminal conviction for a longer time than the duration of the prison sentence or probation. A felony conviction deprives you of the right to vote and to own firearms. If the conviction is for a sex-related charge, your name may remain on the sex offender registry for many years after you complete your sentence or even for the rest of your life. Of course, these consequences can only happen if you get a conviction. If you manage to get your charges dropped before your case goes to trial or even before you enter a plea, the consequences can evaporate as quickly as they began. Even though Texas cultivates a reputation for being tough on crime, it sometimes offers a second chance for young defendants who do not have any prior criminal convictions, even if their charges are for felony sexual offenses.
If you are a young man facing sex crime charges after a lifetime of staying out of trouble, contact a Texas sex crime attorney.
Sex Crime Charges Pending Against 22-Year-Old Man Accused of Meeting Teen Girl
In October 2024, a caller notified police in Silsbee that she believed that a 14-year-old girl was in the company of a 22-year-old man and that the two were having a romantic relationship. When police arrived at the man’s house, they found the teen there, and they took her back to her mother’s house. They arrested the man and booked him into jail, setting his bond at $450,000.
The defendant is facing charges of sexual assault of a child and online solicitation of a minor. He allegedly communicated with the girl online before he met in person. Even though the charges are serious, and the six-figure bond amount underscores this, the case could have any of several outcomes. As with any defendant in a criminal case, the court cannot convict him unless the prosecution proves him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Meanwhile, there is precedent in Texas for courts ordering deferred adjudication for defendants in felony sex offense cases if the defendant does not have any prior criminal convictions.
Several years ago, a man in his early 20s got deferred adjudication for charges similar to this case, except in his case, the girl was younger, and the alleged sexual abuse took place over a period of more than a year. In deferred adjudication, the defendant must enter a provisional plea, register as a sex offender, and complete a probation term, sometimes a lengthy one. If the defendant fulfills all of the requirements successfully, the court will drop the charges, and the state will remove the defendant’s name from the sex offender registry. News sources did not indicate whether the court had offered deferred adjudication to the Silsbee man.
Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC About Criminal Defense Cases
A Dallas criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are facing criminal charges for online solicitation or other sex crimes after you have led an otherwise law-abiding life. Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, in Dallas, Texas, to discuss your case.