Scheiner Sex Crimes

Friendswood Sex Crime Defense Attorney

Sex crime charges in Friendswood, Texas carry some of the most severe penalties in the Texas criminal justice system. A conviction can result in decades in prison, substantial fines, and mandatory sex offender registration that affects where you can live and work for years or even life.

Friendswood law enforcement agencies prioritize these investigations, often making arrests based on accusations alone before completing thorough investigations.

Our experienced Friendswood sex crime defense lawyers understand that false accusations happen and that even innocent behavior can be misinterpreted or deliberately misconstrued.

Our board-certified criminal defense team has defended clients against sex crime allegations for over three decades. We know how prosecutors build these cases, where investigations often go wrong, and how to effectively challenge questionable evidence and unreliable testimony.

When your freedom and reputation are at stake, you need sex crime defense attorneys in Friendswood who will investigate thoroughly, prepare meticulously, and fight aggressively to protect your rights.

We understand how quickly these cases move and the devastating impact they can have on your life, career, and family relationships.

  • Board Certification: This certification requires extensive trial experience, continuing education, and passing a rigorous examination in criminal law
  • Forensic Training: We have hands-on training in the same scientific methods used by law enforcement, allowing us to identify errors in evidence collection
  • Local Court Experience: We regularly appear in Galveston County and Harris County courts where Friendswood cases are prosecuted

Contact our legal team today for immediate help.

What to Do If Police Contact You About Sex Crime Allegations

If a Friendswood police detective or investigator from Galveston County contacts you about sexual misconduct allegations, your response in the first few hours is critical. Law enforcement officers are trained to gather evidence that can be used against you, even when you believe you’re simply explaining your side of the story.

Never assume you can talk your way out of an investigation. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court, even if you’re completely innocent.

Immediate steps to protect yourself:

  1. Exercise your right to remain silent. Politely tell officers you won’t answer questions without your attorney present
  2. Don’t contact the accuser. Any communication can be interpreted as witness intimidation or tampering
  3. Preserve all evidence. Don’t delete texts, emails, photos, or social media posts that might help your defense
  4. Call our experienced Friendswood sex crime lawyers immediately. The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights

Sex Offense Cases We Defend in Friendswood

Our legal team handles the full range of sex offense charges in Friendswood, Galveston County, and Harris County courts. Each type of charge carries different penalties and requires a specific defense strategy based on the elements the prosecution must prove.

We defend clients against these charges:

Cases from the Harris County portion of Friendswood are heard in downtown Houston. Galveston County cases are heard at the courthouse in Galveston.

What the State Must Prove to Convict You

Texas law requires prosecutors to prove every element of a sex crime charge beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard of proof in our legal system. It means the jury must be firmly convinced of your guilt based solely on credible evidence presented in court.

An accusation alone is never enough for a conviction. The state needs physical evidence, credible witness testimony, or other proof that supports each element of the alleged crime.

Many sex crime cases rely heavily on he-said-she-said testimony without supporting physical evidence. When the prosecution’s case is built primarily on one person’s word against another’s, there are often opportunities to challenge the reliability and credibility of their claims.

What Happens After an Arrest in Galveston or Harris County

The criminal justice process begins with magistration, typically within 24-48 hours of your arrest. A magistrate judge will, within 24-48 hours, inform you of the charges, set bail, and establish conditions for your release.

Your case will then be presented to a grand jury. In Galveston County, this happens in Galveston. Harris County grand juries meet in Houston. The grand jury decides whether there’s probable cause to issue a formal indictment.

The time between arrest and trial varies depending on the complexity of your case and the court’s schedule. During this time, our Friendswood sex crime defense attorneys work to build your defense and explore all options for dismissal or reduction of charges.

Will You Have to Register as a Sex Offender?

Sex offender registration is one of the most serious long-term consequences of a conviction. In Texas, many sex crime convictions carry mandatory registration requirements that can last 10 years or even a lifetime.

 

Offense Type Typical Registration Period
Indecency with a Child 10 years to lifetime
Sexual Assault Lifetime
Aggravated Sexual Assault Lifetime
Child Pornography Possession 10 years

 

Registration requires you to report your address, employment, and other personal information to local law enforcement. This information is publicly available online, affecting where you can live, work, and travel.

Our primary goal is always to fight for a complete dismissal or acquittal to avoid registration entirely.

Penalties and Life-Changing Consequences of Conviction

A sex crime conviction brings penalties that extend far beyond prison time and fines. These collateral consequences can permanently alter every aspect of your life.

Professional consequences:

  • Employment barriers: Most employers conduct background checks, making it extremely difficult to find work
  • Professional licensing: Teachers, healthcare workers, lawyers, and other licensed professionals risk losing their credentials
  • Career limitations: Many industries are completely off-limits to individuals with sex crime convictions

Personal and family impacts:

  • Child custody: Courts may restrict or terminate your parental rights and visitation
  • Housing restrictions: Many landlords refuse to rent to individuals with criminal records
  • Immigration consequences: Non-citizens face deportation risks even for relatively minor offenses

How We Build Your Defense Strategy

Every successful defense begins with a thorough investigation that goes beyond what law enforcement did. We don’t rely on police reports or accept the prosecution’s version of events at face value.

Our defense process includes reviewing all physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts when necessary. We look for inconsistencies in witness statements, problems with evidence collection, and violations of your constitutional rights.

Key defense actions we take:

  • Evidence preservation: We work quickly to secure surveillance video, phone records, and other evidence before it’s lost
  • Expert consultation: When needed, we bring in forensic experts to challenge questionable scientific evidence
  • Witness interviews: We speak with potential witnesses the police may have overlooked or dismissed

Can Sex Crime Charges Be Dismissed or Reduced?

Sex crime charges can often be dismissed or significantly reduced when we employ proven defenses to false sex crime allegations. We have several tools available to challenge weak cases before they ever reach a jury.

Grand jury presentations allow us to present evidence of your innocence directly to the grand jury. If successful, they may “no-bill” the case, meaning no formal charges will be filed.

Pretrial motions can suppress illegally obtained evidence, potentially leaving the prosecution without enough proof to proceed. We also negotiate with prosecutors when appropriate, though we prepare every case as if it will go to trial.

Learn about your options for dismissal by consulting with our Friendswood defense team today.

Protecting Your Job and Professional License

We understand that professionals have everything to lose when facing sex crime allegations. Teachers, healthcare workers, financial professionals, and others with professional licenses need immediate action to protect their careers.

Our firm works discreetly to minimize public exposure of your case. We communicate directly with licensing boards when necessary and take strategic steps to protect your professional standing throughout the legal process.

Many licensing boards have specific reporting requirements and timelines. We help you understand these obligations and develop a strategy that protects both your criminal case and your professional license.

Our Trial Experience and Track Record

While we cannot guarantee specific outcomes, our firm has a strong history of achieving dismissals and not guilty verdicts in serious sex crime cases. We have extensive experience in both Galveston County and Harris County courts where Friendswood cases are heard.

Our reputation for thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy gives our clients significant advantages in negotiations and at trial. Prosecutors know our skilled criminal defense lawyers are always prepared to take a case to jury trial, which often leads to better plea offers or outright dismissals.

Grant Scheiner has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers and by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Courts Where We Defend Friendswood Residents

Friendswood sits in both Harris and Galveston counties, so cases can be prosecuted in different court systems depending on where the alleged offense occurred.

Harris County cases arising from Friendswood are heard at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in downtown Houston. Galveston County cases go to the Galveston County Justice Center in Galveston.

We also regularly defend clients from surrounding communities including Pearland, League City, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Webster, Clear Lake, and throughout the greater Houston area.

Confidential Consultations

We offer a completely confidential consultation to discuss your case and explain your legal options. Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege, and there’s no obligation to hire us.

During this consultation, we’ll explain the charges you’re facing, the potential penalties, and the defense strategies available in your specific situation.

Protect your future today. Contact us today to speak with our skilled legal team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Speak to Friendswood Police Without an Attorney Present?

Never speak to police about criminal allegations without your lawyer present. Even innocent explanations can be twisted and used against you in court.

Can Someone Be Charged Based Only on an Accusation?

Yes, police can arrest and prosecutors can file charges based solely on an accusation, but they need credible evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

What Will Police Do With My Phone and Computer?

If police have a valid search warrant, they can seize and search your electronic devices for evidence, which is why immediate legal representation is crucial to protect your privacy rights.

Is It Possible to Avoid a Grand Jury Indictment?

Sometimes we can present a defense packet to the grand jury that convinces them to “no-bill” the case, preventing formal charges from being filed.

What Should I Expect for Bail and Release Conditions?

Bail amounts vary widely based on the specific charges and your background, but may include GPS monitoring, no-contact orders, or restrictions on internet use.

Will My Employer Find Out About the Charges?

An arrest doesn’t automatically notify employers, but many professions require self-reporting of criminal charges, and background checks will reveal any conviction.

Can Sex Crime Convictions Be Expunged in Texas?

Unfortunately, most sex crime convictions in Texas cannot be expunged or sealed, making it critical to fight the charges from the beginning.

How Much Does a Sex Crime Defense Attorney Cost?

Legal fees vary based on case complexity, but we offer transparent flat-fee pricing and payment plans to make experienced representation accessible when you need it most.