Sex Crime Charges in Plano & McKinney, Texas — Know Your Rights
Few accusations carry the same immediate, life-altering weight as a sex crime allegation. Even before charges are formally filed — sometimes before you even know an investigation has begun — your reputation, your relationships, your career, and your freedom can be at risk. If you or someone you love has been accused of a sex offense in Texas, the most important thing you can do right now is call an experienced criminal defense attorney and say nothing to anyone else.
Kent Starr has spent 30 years defending people accused of sex crimes in Collin County and across the DFW Metroplex. He understands the enormous personal stakes in these cases, and he approaches every client with the same fundamental belief: the constitutional presumption of innocence is not a formality. It is a right that Kent defends aggressively.
Sex Crime Charges Under Texas Law — An Overview
Sex offenses in Texas are primarily governed by Chapter 21 (Sexual Offenses) and Chapter 22 (Assaultive Offenses) of the Texas Penal Code. The range of charges is broad, and the penalties are severe.
Indecency with a Child (Texas Penal Code §21.11) occurs when a person engages in sexual contact with a child younger than 17, or exposes their genitals to a child with intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire. This is a third-degree felony (contact) or a second-degree felony (exposure with intent). A conviction requires sex offender registration.
Sexual Assault (Texas Penal Code §22.011) includes any intentional or knowing sexual penetration without consent, as well as any sexual penetration of a person younger than 17 (regardless of consent). Sexual assault is a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Aggravated Sexual Assault (Texas Penal Code §22.021) elevates sexual assault to a first-degree felony when the victim is younger than 14, when serious bodily injury occurs, when a deadly weapon is used, when certain drugs are administered without consent, or when the victim is elderly or disabled. A conviction can mean 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child (Texas Penal Code §21.02) applies when two or more acts of sexual abuse occur over a period of 30 days or more against a child younger than 14. This offense carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years to life in prison and is non-parolable for the first 35 years.
Online solicitation of a minor (Texas Penal Code §33.021) covers electronic communication with a minor for sexual purposes. A third-degree felony for communicating sexually with someone you believe to be a minor; a second-degree felony if you solicit a minor to meet for sex.
Possession or promotion of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) under Texas Penal Code §43.26 is a third-degree felony for possession and a second-degree felony for promotion. Each image or video can be a separate count.
Sex Offender Registration in Texas
Many sex crime convictions require lifetime registration on the Texas Sex Offender Registry. Registration imposes severe restrictions on where you can live, work, and travel. It requires annual — or more frequent — check-ins with local law enforcement. It is a public record, searchable by employers, landlords, and neighbors. For many clients, registration is the most devastating long-term consequence of a conviction, even more than the prison sentence itself.
The registration requirement attaches to the conviction — not just the charge. This is one reason why fighting the charge at every stage matters so deeply. If you are not convicted, you are not required to register.
Defense Strategies in Texas Sex Crime Cases
Sex crime cases are often built on testimony and digital evidence rather than physical forensic evidence. Kent Starr scrutinizes every element of the State’s case.
False or mistaken accusations. Studies consistently show that a meaningful percentage of sex crime allegations are false or result from misidentification, coercive interviewing of children, or motivated accusations in contentious divorce or custody disputes. Kent investigates the circumstances around how the allegation arose, who made it, and what relationship dynamics may have contributed.
Forensic interview challenges. When a child is the alleged victim, investigators conduct forensic interviews — usually at a child advocacy center. These interviews follow protocols designed to minimize suggestion and coercion. But they do not always work as intended. A forensic interview expert can identify leading questions, improper interview techniques, and contamination of the child’s account before it ever reaches a courtroom.
Digital evidence examination. Many sex crime allegations today involve digital evidence — text messages, social media, emails, photos, browser history, or device records. Digital evidence can be fabricated, altered, or misattributed. Kent works with forensic experts to analyze the metadata, authenticity, and chain of custody of any digital evidence the prosecution intends to use.
Consent. In adult sexual assault cases, the presence or absence of consent is often the central factual dispute. Kent investigates prior communications between the parties, the circumstances of the encounter, and whether the account given by the complainant is consistent with other evidence.
Statute of limitations and delay. Some sex crime allegations surface years or decades after the alleged conduct. Texas has extended or eliminated statutes of limitations for many sex offenses involving children. But delayed reporting does affect the quality and reliability of evidence, and those challenges are part of the defense.
Why Kent Starr for Your Sex Crime Defense
Sex crime cases demand an attorney with the depth of experience to anticipate every move the prosecution will make, the discipline to prepare a thorough defense, and the judgment to communicate honestly with clients about their situation — even when the news is hard. Kent Starr brings all three.
With 30 years in criminal defense and more than 15,000 cases, Kent has represented clients facing everything from low-level online solicitation allegations to multi-count aggravated sexual assault charges. He was educated at Oxford University, clerked for two Supreme Courts, and has argued before the Fifth Circuit. His academic and appellate background means he approaches even factual battles with a lawyer’s eye for what will hold up — and what will not.
Kent’s 443+ five-star Google reviews reflect clients who were facing some of the most frightening moments of their lives and found a lawyer who treated them with dignity, fought hard for them, and communicated clearly every step of the way. He has been featured on Fox News for legal commentary. He is a solo practitioner — when you hire Starr Law P.C., you work directly with Kent from the first call through the last hearing.
Free initial consultation. Payment plans and credit cards accepted. Every conversation is confidential — protected by the attorney-client privilege.
Courts & Counties We Serve for Sex Crime Cases
Kent Starr defends sex crime cases in courthouses throughout North Texas, including Collin County courts in McKinney and Plano, Dallas County courts, Tarrant County courts, and jurisdictions in Denton, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, and Parker Counties. He also handles federal sex crime cases in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, including federal child pornography charges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Crimes in Texas
I have been contacted by a detective about an allegation. Should I talk to them?
No. You have the constitutional right to remain silent, and you should use it. A detective reaching out to “just talk” or “get your side of the story” is conducting an investigation. Anything you say can be used against you. Politely decline and call an attorney immediately. You are not required to provide a statement, answer questions, or agree to any interview.
What happens if I am placed on the sex offender registry?
Sex offender registration in Texas is a public record. It requires you to register with local law enforcement, limits where you can live (particularly near schools and parks), and must be updated whenever you move. Failure to register is itself a criminal offense. Some convictions require lifetime registration; others allow petition for removal after a waiting period. Kent discusses the registration implications of any plea or conviction honestly with every client.
Can sex crime charges be dismissed before trial?
Yes — charges are dismissed in sex crime cases when evidence is insufficient, when suppression motions succeed, when the complainant recants or is found to be not credible, or when investigation reveals the allegation was fabricated. Dismissal is not automatic and is not guaranteed by any attorney, but thorough pre-trial investigation and aggressive motion practice create the best conditions for dismissal.
I was accused by a child. Can I still be acquitted?
Yes. Children can make false allegations, can be coached or influenced by adults in their lives, and can genuinely misperceive events. Texas juries understand this. Kent has defended clients acquitted of child sex crime allegations after thorough investigations, expert witness testimony, and cross-examination that exposed weaknesses in the State’s evidence. The presumption of innocence applies in every case.
What is the statute of limitations for sex crimes in Texas?
Texas has no statute of limitations for many sex crimes involving children. For sexual assault of an adult, the statute of limitations has also been extended in recent years. The elimination of filing deadlines means old allegations can surface at any time. An experienced attorney can still challenge these cases on the grounds of faded memories, missing witnesses, and degraded evidence — even if the conduct is legally timely.
Call Kent Starr Today — Free, Confidential Consultation
If you or someone you love is facing a sex crime allegation in Plano, McKinney, or anywhere in North Texas, every hour matters. Call (214) 982-1408 for a free, confidential consultation with Kent Starr. He answers his phone and will speak with you directly. Se habla español. Nós falamos português.
