Collin County Indecency With a Child Attorney

Are You Looking for the Best Collin County Indecency With a Child Attorney?

If you’re looking for the best Collin County Indecency With a Child attorney, then Paul Saputo and Nick Toufexis want to represent you. Our distinguished senior defense lawyers, Paul Saputo and Nick Toufexis, expertly bring the firm’s full resources to bear in Collin County Indecency With a Child cases.

In Texas, a charge of Indecency With a Child is extremely serious. Texas law classifies the offense as a felony. Convictions for Indecency With a Child often result in lengthy imprisonment, substantial fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Texas law throws a lot of constitutional and legal rules out of the window for child abuse cases, which sometimes results in prosecutors and judges being overly aggressive in their pursuit of convictions. This zeal can sometimes lead to the wrongful punishment of individuals who are not actually guilty of the offense.

Being convicted of a sex offense like Indecency With a Child can change your life in many negative ways. Don’t talk with the police or sign a plea agreement without first consulting with the Collin County sex offense attorneys at Saputo Toufeixs | Criminal Defense. The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense team seeks to represent discerning clients who value our commitment to achieving outstanding results. Our attorneys have dedicated their careers to criminal defense and maintain an unwavering dedication to delivering expert representation.

We’re not just Collin County Indecency With a Child lawyers. We are warriors fighting unjust and corrupt government prosecutions with a history of success and a reputation for tenacity, courage and legal ingenuity.

In addition to our notable high-profile victories, our history of success also includes inconspicuous representation of numerous high-profile clients. Indeed, many of our biggest wins involved disposing of these cases quietly and out of the sight of the public. As your Collin County Indecency With a Child attorney, we can handle every aspect of your case, both inside and outside the courtroom in McKinney.

When Texas prosecutes you for the crime of Indecency With a Child, both your freedom and your reputation are at risk. Accordingly, the lawyers at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense aim to not only win your case, but also keep your name out of the public eye. As a result of pushing the defense envelope for years, we have developed some of the best specialized tools for investigating sex crimes accusations and defending our clients throughout Texas.

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Contact a Collin County
Indecency With a Child Lawyer

When you are ready to fight your case with us, schedule online or call us at 888-239-9305 to book a free, confidential consultation.

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Choosing The Right Collin County Indecency With a Child Lawyer Can Make A Huge Difference In Your Case Result

Why would you hire a former prosecutor? Surprisingly, some people believe that former prosecutors provide some special advantage. However, many of these attorneys seem to quickly push clients to a plea deal. If you really want someone who will fight for you or your loved one, get an attorney who has dedicated their life to protecting the accused.

At Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense, we are defense lawyers, first and foremost. We stake our reputation on bringing the fight to the state. We have never worked for the government and never will. Learn more about our team, awards, and some of our victories.

How do I get an Indecency With a Child charge dropped in Collin County, Texas?

In order to get an Indecency With a Child charge dropped in Collin County, 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 §21.11.^[1] Our lawyers are experts in the Texas law regarding Indecency With a Child, and we leverage our legal knowledge to mount successful defenses to government prosecutions.

Thoroughly understanding both the Indecency With a Child statute and related case law contributes to effectively defending you in court. As part of our practice, we publish and regularly update a statutory resource guide covering all Texas Penal Code crimes. We analyze the Indecency With a Child statute in detail on the Indecency With a Child offense page. We also maintain our expertise by keeping up with the latest case law affecting Indecency With a Child cases in Collin County.

One such case is The State of Texas v. Manuel Herrera.

The State of Texas v. Manuel Herrera

The Fifth District Court of Appeals filed an opinion on June 30, 2023, in a Collin County Indecency With a Child case styled The State of Texas v. Manuel Herrera in Cause No. 05-22-00015-CR. The case was on appeal from the 366th Judicial District Court Collin County.

The appellate court reported the background of the case as follows:

[I]n Counts 3 and 5, the State charged appellant with committing the offense of indecency with a child by contact on or about September 20, 2006, and February 20, 2007, by causing M.R.’s hand to touch appellant’s genitals. Appellant pleaded not guilty, and his case proceeded to a jury trial.

To prove appellant committed indecency with a child by contact, as alleged in Count 3 of the indictment, the State was required show that on or about September 20, 2006, appellant caused M.R.’s hand to touch appellant’s genitals. Appellant’s specific argument as to this count, in addition to his general credibility challenge, is that M.R. gave very few details about the incident. The appellate court disagreed.

Every Collin County Indecency With a Child attorney should be familiar with this case and other appellate opinions coming out of Collin County that review Indecency With a Child cases. You can learn more about this case and read the court’s opinion by Justice Smith here.

What does an Indecency With a Child charge really mean?

The general definition of the Texas charge of Indecency With a Child, according to the Texas Penal Code, is as follows:

(a) A person commits an offense if, with a child younger than 17 years of age, whether the child is of the same or opposite sex and regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child at the time of the offense, the person:

(1) engages in sexual contact with the child or causes the child to engage in sexual contact; or

(2) with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person:

(A) exposes the person‘s anus or any part of the person‘s genitals, knowing the child is present; or

(B) causes the child to expose the child’s anus or any part of the child’s genitals.

Indecency with a Child by Contact

This version of the offense occurs when an individual engages in sexual contact with a child under the age of 17 who is not their spouse. “Sexual contact” is defined as the touching, including through clothing, of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of a child, carried out with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.

This offense does not require penetration of any bodily orifices; such an act would typically escalate the charge to sexual assault. The behavior in question is often described as “fondling.” While it may seem less severe than explicit sexual acts, it can still lead to serious criminal charges upon conviction.

Indecency with a Child by Exposure

Indecency with a child by exposure happens when an individual exposes their anus or genitals in the presence of a child, knowing the child is there, or induces the child to expose their own anus or genitals, with the intention of sexually arousing or gratifying any person’s sexual desires.

Can I avoid sex offender registration if I’m facing Indecency with a Child charges?

Whether you are convicted or placed on deferred adjudication probation for Indecency with a Child, you will be required to register as a sex offender if you plead guilty. However, under Texas law, the amount of time that you will be required to register depends on several different factors. Additionally, it may be possible to negotiate for a reduction of the charge to something that is non-registerable.

Law Enforcement Agencies in Collin County that Make Indecency With a Child Arrests

Peace officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, constable offices, and municipal police departments can make arrests for violations of Indecency With a Child in Collin County. Law enforcement agencies in Collin County that most typically make Indecency With a Child arrests include:

• The Collin County Sheriff’s Office handles Indecency With a Child enforcement throughout Dallas County.
• McKinney Police Department – Serving the city of McKinney, the police department provides Indecency With a Child enforcement within the city limits.
• Plano Police Department – This municipal police department serves the city of Plano by investigating Indecency With a Child cases within the city’s limits.
• Frisco Police Department
• Allen Police Department
• Murphy Police Department
• Wylie Police Department
• Anna Police Department
• Princeton Police Department
• Farmersville Police Department
• Melissa Police Department

How do I win an Indecency With a Child case in Collin County?

To beat an Indecency With a Child charge in Collin County, Texas, you must use due process to confront all witnesses and challenge all evidence, which includes disputing reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and all forensic evidence. Winning requires a fight.

Even if you believe you cannot beat the case, as your Collin County Indecency With a Child attorney, we will look for every avenue to help you. If you want to plead guilty, we must still fight to protect your rights. We want to ensure that the case does not ruin your life. Sometimes the defense strategy requires us to get the best possible result short of a not guilty verdict.

Collin County Indecency With a Child Attorney Case Defense Strategy

The best defense strategy in Indecency With a Child cases demands a mix of cutting-edge science, traditional investigative methods, and a mastery of digital and forensic technology. Some cases come down to science, but often cases come down to key witness testimony. Sometimes that witness is a sympathetic (but lying) victim. Other cases come down to one of the many complex social relationships regarding age of consent. In any case, digital forensic evidence, science and the complex nature of human relationships all play an important role in crafting your defense. As a result of pushing the defense envelope through the years, we have developed specialized methods for investigating these accusations.

Getting the best result in a Indecency With a Child case also requires being prepared for all hearings and court settings – not just trials. When you hire us as your Collin County Indecency With a Child attorney, we prepare early and thoroughly. As soon as we get on a case, the state knows that we are getting ready for trial and that we are going for an outright acquittal.

But the preparation often starts even before the case begins. From the moment that the police initiate an investigation or make an arrest, we have work to do. If you want to win your case, then we must do our own investigation. The state has police and investigators of their own working for them to gather evidence to support their case. We can’t afford to let their evidence stand uncontroverted. As a client, you will benefit from the investigative resources of the entire law firm. We have a team of dedicated professionals, including paralegals, investigators, and forensic experts. Our attorneys utilize our team’s extensive investigative experience to perform the ground work that makes our cases strong.

How much does it cost to fight a Collin County, Texas, Indecency With a Child case?

Attorney’s fees will vary. However, you can expect to pay from $15,000 to $40,000 on average for Indecency With a Child cases in Collin County. Some Collin County Indecency With a Child lawyers may charge much more depending on the complexity of the Collin County case. But be wary of lawyers who charge surprisingly low fees.

When consulting with a lawyer, remember to ask whether any any hourly fees apply. Additionally, most lawyers charge extra fees for trial, travel and expenses.

What to Do if Falsely Accused of Indecency With a Child in Collin County

Even if someone has falsely accused you of Indecency With a Child, you should nevertheless still always take this charge very seriously. You may think that the state may “drop charges” against you because you are innocent. But absent effective advocacy by a lawyer, the state will often take the case to trial and let the jury decide.

If the state has charged you with Indecency With a Child, or if you are under investigation for the offense, then you should book an appointment or call us as soon as possible to speak with one of our Collin County Indecency With a Child attorneys.

How can you modify your Collin County bond conditions after an Indecency With a Child arrest?

In Texas, judges wield considerable authority in establishing bail and bond conditions. However, there are instances where judges may impose excessively stringent conditions and unreasonably high bail amounts. If you seek to modify bond conditions or reduce bail, you must file a motion in court and schedule a hearing, with the judge having the ultimate authority to decide.

In practical terms, if you’ve been arrested for Indecency With a Child in Collin County, it’s common for the judge to impose a bond condition prohibiting contact with the victim. Additionally, judges frequently include a condition barring contact with all minors in such cases. Many clients enlist our assistance in seeking the removal of these conditions in order to maintain contact with their own children. If you want to remove a no contact condition, then please book a consultation with us, and we will discuss what we can do for you.

What happens at a Collin County arraignment?

At your arraignment, a Collin County judge will hear your plea of not guilty. In Collin County, you may not have an attorney at your initial arraignment. However, the court will not hear a guilty plea prior to your being represented by counsel. In addition, the court may also set bail and bond conditions if you have not already received them.

If the police have arrested you for Indecency With a Child, then Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §17.40 requires Collin County judges to “impose any reasonable condition of bond related to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense or to the safety of the community” to secure your attendance at trial. If the state alleges that you violated those bond conditions, then the Collin County Sheriff’s Office can immediately return you to custody. Accordingly, judges have very broad power in determining bail conditions and bond amounts.

What is the most common sentence for Collin County Indecency With a Child charge in Collin County?

The Texas Penal code outlines the range of punishment for Indecency With a Child convictions across the state. The Penal Code classifies the punishment for Indecency With a Child by Contact as a second degree felony and Indecency With a Child by Exposure as a third degree felony.

However, the actual punishment you might receive will vary significantly based on a number of circumstances. For instance, your prior criminal history, the circumstances of the offense, and the norms of the Collin County community all play a role. For Indecency With a Child cases, we also work towards the possibility of getting a reduction in the charge. The likelihood of succes in this effort also depends on a number of circumstances – including how strong we can make your case. In Indecency With a Child cases, sometimes the entire case becomes about the sentence imposed. When mitigation is key, you need persuasive attorneys.

If you are convicted, then you will also have to decide whether you want to have the judge or the jury assess punishment. Judges and juries may deliver vastly different sentences. Furthermore, all good Collin County Indecency With a Child attorneys will also advise you on the collateral consequences of a Indecency With a Child conviction. Collateral consequences are penalties derived from convictions that are not necessarily part of the penal code punishment.

With this in mind, you can learn about the penalties that apply to all Texas convictions for Indecency With a Child here. Otherwise, to learn more about what kind of punishment is typical in Collin County Indecency With a Child cases, call us to schedule a consultation or book online.

Are you under investigation for Indecency With a Child? Should you cooperate with the police investigation?

We have assisted our clients through many difficult police interrogations. Although we do not always recommend consenting to an interrogation, occasionally we recognize circumstances where consenting to an interrogation may serve your best interest. However, you should never do a police interview without your Collin County Indecency With a Child lawyer present.

An arrest for Indecency With a Child can drastically change your life, even if a court dismisses your case. Do not hesitate to contact us immediately if you are under investigation.

In some cases we have communicated directly with law enforcement authorities on behalf of our clients instead of consenting to a direct interrogation. In general, we recommend avoiding police interrogations because of the extreme level of stress that you will likely experience. Even if you are innocent, the Collin County police and the community will likely judge the way you act and what you say negatively. We must carefully consider this because this negative perception will almost certainly impact your final case disposition. As your Collin County Indecency With a Child attorney, we can assist you in these difficult circumstances.

About Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense

If you want to hire us as your Collin County Indecency With a Child lawyers, then you should probably get to know us!

The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense Lawyers

Paul Saputo and Nicholas Toufexis are partners at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC and lead the entire trial team at the firm.

Mr. Saputo has practiced throughout Texas in more than fifty Texas state and federal courts and developed groundbreaking innovations in defense strategies and tactics. After graduating from the elite Duke University School of Law, a nationally recognized top-ten law school, Mr. Saputo started his career at Vinson & Elkins. More about Paul Saputo…

Mr. Toufexis is a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law. He has dedicated his entire legal career to criminal defense, and has been with the firm since law school. Recently named a partner, Nick has achieved exceptional results in and out of court for years. More about Nick…

Awards

Numerous organizations have awarded Mr. Saputo recognition for his outstanding criminal defense work, for example:

• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rating
• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Consistently recognized by D Magazine in “Best Lawyers” for Criminal Defense
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: White Collar practice area.

Paul Saputo was voted one of the Three Best Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dallas

More Awards & Recognition…

Nicholas Toufexis has likewise received many distinctions as well.

• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: DWI/DUI practice area.

Victories

The Collin County Indecency With a Child attorneys at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC have obtained hundreds of victories in complex criminal litigation across Texas. Our victories include Not Guilty verdicts by jury acquittals, directed verdicts of Not Guilty, as well as both conditional and unconditional dismissals.

For descriptions and some details about example victories, visit our page on Notable Victories.

Reviews

One example review from a real client:

My life hung in the balance with some very serious accusations. I contacted a different attorney that referred Nick Toufexis. He indicated he would use him in his own defense or that of his families. I hired him and I am now a free man. I highly recommend him if you need confident and capable representation! 5 stars for sure.

– Real client review posted on the Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC Google Profile.

See more client reviews and testimonials here.

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Legal References:

^1. Texas Penal Code §21.11.