Dallas Sexual Assault Lawyer

Are You Looking for the Best Dallas Sexual Assault Lawyer?

A sexual assault charge puts your entire life at risk. From the moment you’re arrested, the government will use its power to portray you as guilty, and the public often follows. If you’re looking for the best Texas sex crime attorney, then attorneys Paul Saputo and Nick Toufexis want to represent you. Numerous organizations have recognized us for our excellence, but more importantly, our clients praise us for delivering results in high-stakes criminal cases.

All of the Saputo Toufexis attorneys have dedicated their careers to defending clients in criminal courts. We maintain an unwavering dedication to delivering expert representation, and we represent clients who expect this highest level of representation from their criminal defense lawyer in Dallas.

Our firm has built a professional reputation for taking on the Dallas area legal system in allegations of a sensitive nature and defending people when their freedom is on the line. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Dallas, Paul Saputo understands the stakes in these cases. When you hire us as your Dallas Sexual Assault attorney, we fight to win. From the courtrooms of Dallas to the battleground of social media, we fight to clear your name and your record.

We’re not just Dallas Sexual Assault Lawyer Sexual Assault lawyers We are warriors fighting unjust and corrupt government prosecutions with a history of success and a reputation for tenacity, courage and legal ingenuity.

When the state prosecutes you for Sexual Assault, both your freedom and your reputation are at risk. Consider the damage to your reputation, liability for a civil suit and the emotional pain and anger that comes just from the accusation!

Accordingly, the lawyers at Saputo Toufexis aim to not only win your case, but also keep your name out of the public eye to achieve real justice. As a result of pushing the envelope of criminal law for years, we have extensive experience in investigating sex crimes accusations and defending alleged offenders in court. We handle every aspect of your Sexual Assault representation, from defending you in the media, in court at pre-trial hearings, and all the way through trial.

How are Sexual Assault and Aggravated Sexual Assault defined under Texas law?

Understanding the Sexual Assault Statute

The Texas Penal Code defines Sexual Assault in broad and unforgiving terms. For cases involving adult victims, the statute focuses on nonconsensual sexual conduct involving penetration or contact without the person’s consent. A person commits sexual assault if the person intentionally or knowingly causes any kind of sexual penetration of another person without that person’s consent.

Importantly, consent under Texas law does not carry its ordinary dictionary meaning. For example, a person may be deemed incapable of consent due to intoxication, coercion, or authority imbalance—even if no overt force is used. Texas identifies fourteen distinct scenarios where consent is legally lacking, further complicating what may appear on the surface to be a consensual encounter.

Prosecutors often rely on strained theories to frame behavior as criminal, even where no physical evidence exists. That’s why the role of an attorney is critical. The law covers not only penetration, but also certain types of sexual acts that might not involve intercourse at all.

Sexual Assault of a Child

A person commits Child Sexual Assault by causing sexual penetration or certain kinds of sexual contact with a child. The law classifies any sexual offense involving a child under the age of 17 as a second-degree or first-degree felony depending on the conduct and the alleged victim’s age. These charges do not require the state to prove lack of a person’s consent, as the law presumes that minors are legally incapable of consenting to sexual conduct.

Additionally, if the alleged crime involves a child under 14 or the use of a deadly weapon, the charge may escalate to aggravated sexual assault, which carries a much steeper prison sentence and lifetime consequences. In fact, using a deadly weapon, threatening another person, or engaging in group acts may qualify the case as first degree felony conduct under the law.

Statutory Enhancements and Felony Levels

Depending on the specifics of the alleged offense, the state may charge an alleged offender with a third degree felony, a second degree felony, or a first degree felony. Each classification carries increasing penalties, with first degree felony charges involving life imprisonment or a minimum prison sentence of 25 years in certain cases involving younger children.

To make matters worse, the legal process does not require prosecutors to prove that the alleged offender knew the age of the child. Mistake-of-age defenses are not permitted, and courts have consistently upheld this strict liability approach.

How a Dallas Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Get a Sexual Assault Charge Dropped

In order to get a a Sexual Assault charge dropped in Dallas, you must convince the state that they cannot prove at least one of the elements of the offense as it is defined in Penal Code §22.011.^[1] Our lawyers are experts in the Sexual Assault law, and we leverage our legal knowledge to mount successful defenses to government prosecutions.

Thoroughly understanding the Sexual Assault law in Texas contributes to effectively defending you in court. Our attorneys publish and regularly update a resource guide about every crime in the state of Texas, including a detailed analysis of the Sexual Assault law.

What criminal charges and penalties can result from a Sexual Assault allegation?

Levels of Sexual Assault Charges Under Texas Law

A sexual assault charge can be classified as either a first or second degree felony. If the accusation involves a child under the age of 17, the charge automatically escalates in seriousness. If the victim is younger than 14—or if a deadly weapon was involved—the state may pursue an aggravated sexual assault charge, triggering an even longer time period of prison time.

Even when there’s no physical evidence, the mere accusation can lead to indictment. Once indicted, the case proceeds to formal prosecution in court. In Dallas County, sexual abuse cases are often fast-tracked for review by specialized units within the District Attorney’s Office.

Penalty Range for Sex Assault

A second degree felony conviction for sexual assault can result in a prison sentence of 2 to 20 years. When charged as a first degree, the punishment range expands to 5 to 99 years or life. In some aggravated sexual assault cases, the prison sentence carries a minimum term of 25 years if the victim is under six years old or if the conduct involved violence or a deadly weapon.

Collateral Consequences of a Conviction

The impact of a criminal charge for sexual assault goes well beyond court. Beyond incarceration, a person convicted of a sex crime may also face hefty fines, a requirement to register as a sex offender, and restrictions on where the person can live or work. A sex crime conviction can permanently alter a person’s status in society, even after time has been served.

For example, a family member of an alleged offender may seek to modify child possession or visitation based on the outcome of the criminal case in court. In addition, certain occupations will no longer be available to a person convicted of a sexual offense—particularly if the person’s case involves a child.

Some charges related to sexual misconduct, such as indecency with a child or sexual performance by a child, are often filed alongside sexual assault, compounding the legal exposure and punishment range. The long-term consequences are severe, especially when the government alleges that multiple victims were involved or that the crime was part of a pattern.

How does our law office defend clients accused of a serious sex crime?

Our Philosophy: Strategic, Relentless, and Proven

At Saputo Toufexis, our law office brings a trial-focused mindset to every case our attorneys take. Our team does not aim for fast pleas—we aim to win. With significant experience in criminal cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, we develop strategies rooted in constitutional protections, forensic scrutiny, and aggressive motion practice. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers fight for clients both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion.

Investigative Approach and Evidence Suppression

Our attorneys conduct independent investigations to contest every factual assumption in the State’s case. We often consult digital forensic experts to uncover metadata that refutes timelines and contradicts the narratives of the alleged victim. If the case involves minors, our attorneys coordinate with professional interviewers to evaluate how the child was questioned and whether leading tactics were used. We challenge search warrants, cell tower pings, and chain of custody issues—whatever the facts allow.

Aggressive Defense Against Government Overreach

We understand the emotional and political weight that comes with sex crime allegations, especially when a person is falsely accused. These are not just legal matters—they’re existential threats to your life, family, and future. We’ve seen the State pursue cases where probable cause was flimsy at best, yet a guilty verdict would still destroy someone’s reputation, career, and destroy a person’s life.

Our attorneys have a proven track record of securing case dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, and strategic plea agreements. When we represent clients, we pursue justice by forcing the government to meet its burden or back down entirely.

What happens after a Dallas Sexual Assault arrest and how does the process unfold?

Initial Arrest and Bail Conditions

After a sexual assault arrest, law enforcement will transport the alleged offender to the county jail. The magistrate typically sets bail and imposes strict bond conditions—often including no contact with the alleged victim, travel restrictions, and even electronic monitoring. These terms can disrupt the person’s life immediately, even before the state presents any evidence.

Pre-Indictment Proceedings

During the early stages of the legal process, prosecutors evaluate whether they can proceed with formal criminal charges. If they believe they can prove the alleged offender committed the sexual abuse, they may present the case to a grand jury, which determines whether the alleged offense should proceed to indictment. In many sex crime cases, this decision is made quickly, and often without input from the defense.

How are alleged victim reports and statements handled in Sexual Assault cases?

Police Procedures and Interviews

In many sexual assault investigations, the entire case hinges on the statement of the alleged victim. Law enforcement may collect physical evidence, but more often, especially in cases involving children (like Indecency with a Child), the only proof is an outcry. These cases are sensitive by nature, but also prone to false accusations—particularly in the context of custody disputes or strained relationships with a family member.

Police often refer child complainants to forensic interview centers, where questioning is recorded. However, techniques used can sometimes lead the alleged victim to give coached or suggestive responses. This places the alleged offender in a nearly impossible position of disproving subjective claims, which are then passed on to prosecutors as fact.

Are child pornography charges sometimes filed with Dallas Sexual Assault cases?

Yes. It’s increasingly common for prosecutors to file these charges alongside a sexual assault allegation. In many cases involving a child or teen, police examine phones, computers, and cloud accounts for digital images or messages that might support a broader narrative of exploitation or abuse. Even when a defendant is not accused of distributing content, the crime of “possession” can be charged based on recovered media.

What should you do to protect your rights and pursue legal representation?

When facing a sexual assault investigation, your first priority should be to remain silent until you consult with legal counsel. Speaking to police without an experienced attorney can seriously damage your defense. Law enforcement already believes a crime occurred, and their questions are not neutral. Their goal is to build a case against an alleged offender—not to hear your side.

Preserving evidence, such as messages, photos, or contact logs, is critical. These materials may support your version of events and contradict the alleged victim’s claims. If you’re under investigation, seek legal representation immediately. An experienced Dallas sexual assault lawyer can intervene early and defend your constitutional rights from the very beginning. Your freedom—and your life—may depend on what you do in these first moments.

How do criminal defense strategies work in Dallas County Sexual Assault cases?

Every sexual abuse case in Dallas presents unique legal and factual issues. The DA’s office uses special units to prosecute sex crime allegations, often pushing for fast indictments and plea deals. As a result, building a strong defense requires a custom strategy.

Our team focuses on attacking weaknesses in the government’s evidence. We challenge search warrants, interrogate lab processes, and highlight inconsistencies in the victim’s story. In many criminal trials, jury selection is key—we seek panelists who will weigh facts fairly, not be swayed by emotion.

Why should you schedule a free consultation with a defense lawyer right away?

The consequences of a sexual offense conviction are severe and lasting. You may face prison time, sex offender registration, and complete loss of your career. Even third degree felony charges can result in incarceration and require you to register as a sex offender.

Don’t underestimate what’s at stake. A single misstep can lead to a guilty verdict that changes your life forever. You need a defense team with a professional reputation for excellence and a history of defending the accused with commitment and care. Call us now for a confidential consultation.

Reviews

Real client testimonial:

Hands down the best lawyer in Dallas!!! Not only does he get the best possible scenario, he is an all around great person!! He has helped me in multiple situations.

– Real client review posted on the Saputo Toufexis Google Profile.

See more client reviews and testimonials here.

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Legal References:

^1. Texas Penal Code §22.011.