Scheiner Sex Crimes

League City Child Sexual Abuse Defense Attorney

Child sexual abuse accusations in League City carry some of the most severe penalties in Texas criminal law. Our award-winning League City child sexual abuse defense lawyers see these cases develop from custody disputes, misinterpreted situations, coached statements, and sometimes completely fabricated claims.

When someone faces these charges, the legal system moves forward regardless of whether the allegations have merit—arrests happen, bonds are set, and prosecutors begin building their case based on limited or questionable evidence.

At Scheiner DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers, we represent League City residents accused of child sexual abuse. Our Board Certified child sexual abuse defense attorneys in League City understand how these investigations work in Galveston County and what it takes to expose false claims, challenge weak evidence, and protect your rights from the moment an accusation surfaces.

If you’re facing these charges or believe you’re under investigation, contact us immediately to discuss your defense options.

Why Call a Child Sexual Abuse Defense Lawyer in League City Now?

Being accused of child sexual abuse in League City can destroy your life before you even understand what’s happening. These cases move fast, and the consequences start immediately—not after a conviction.

A single allegation triggers multiple investigations at once. Police begin building a criminal case while Child Protective Services starts a civil investigation that could remove your children from your home. Your employer may be contacted, leading to immediate suspension or termination.

Evidence that could prove your innocence disappears quickly. Text messages get deleted, surveillance footage is erased, and witness memories fade. Every day you wait gives prosecutors more time to build their case against you while your defense options shrink.

Arrest warrants can be issued: Police may obtain warrants based solely on an accusation
CPS removes children: Child Protective Services can take emergency custody of your kids
Employment consequences: Your boss could be notified before charges are even filed
Digital evidence seized: Police secure warrants to take your phones and computers

What Happens When Police or CPS Contact You?

Child sexual abuse allegations in Texas trigger two separate investigations that run simultaneously. You’ll face a criminal investigation by League City Police or Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and a civil investigation by Child Protective Services.

The first contact often comes as a phone call from a detective asking for “your side of the story.” They may tell you that talking will help clear things up, but this is a trap. CPS investigators might show up at your door unannounced or interview your child at school without your knowledge.

Police sometimes use pretext calls where they instruct the accuser to call you while recording the conversation. Anything you say during these calls becomes evidence against you, even if you’re trying to understand what happened.

You have the right to refuse these interviews and demand an attorney. Don’t let investigators pressure you into talking without legal representation from our experienced League City child sexual abuse lawyers present.

What Charges Involving Children Does Texas Prosecute?

Texas law defines several distinct felony offenses related to child sexual abuse, each carrying severe penalties. Prosecutors often file multiple charges from a single allegation to increase pressure on defendants.

Indecency with a child by contact is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. This charge involves any sexual touching of a child under 17 or causing a child to touch you in a sexual manner.

Indecency with a child by exposure is a third-degree felony carrying 2 to 10 years in prison. This involves exposing yourself to a child or causing a child to expose themselves for sexual gratification.

Sexual assault of a child is a second-degree felony with penalties of 2 to 20 years. This charge applies when sexual penetration is alleged to have occurred with a child under 17.

Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child becomes a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Aggravating factors include the use of weapons, serious bodily injury, or victims under 14 years old.

Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is the most serious charge, requiring a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life without parole. This applies when prosecutors allege repeated acts of abuse over at least 30 days.

What Are the Penalties and Collateral Consequences?

A conviction for child sexual abuse extends far beyond prison time and fines. The collateral consequences permanently alter your life, affecting your career, family relationships, and basic freedoms.

Legal Penalties	Life-Long Consequences
2 years to life in prison	Lifetime sex offender registration
Up to $10,000 in fines	Loss of professional licenses
Mandatory supervision	Cannot live near schools or parks
Lifetime parole	Loss of child custody rights

Sex offender registration is public and permanent. Your name, photo, address, and offense details become searchable by anyone online. You must report to law enforcement regularly and notify them of any changes to your residence, employment, or vehicle registration.

Employment opportunities vanish across entire industries. Jobs in education, healthcare, childcare, and many other fields become permanently off-limits. Even employers in unrelated fields often refuse to hire registered sex offenders.

Housing restrictions severely limit where you can live. Many cities prohibit registered sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or daycare centers, effectively banning you from most residential areas.

What Defenses Can Win These Cases?

Child sexual abuse cases often lack physical evidence and rely heavily on testimony that can be challenged. An experienced defense attorney knows how to expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and fight for your innocence.

Lack of Opportunity and Alibi

Digital evidence and traditional investigation can prove you weren’t present when the alleged abuse occurred. Work records, phone GPS data, credit card transactions, and surveillance footage create timeline evidence that establishes an unshakable alibi.

Unreliable or Coached Interviews

Children are highly susceptible to suggestion, and improper interview techniques can create false memories. We work with forensic experts to analyze recorded interviews and identify leading questions, outside influence, or coaching that contaminated a child’s statement.

Illegal Search or Seizure

Police must follow strict constitutional procedures when searching your property or electronic devices. If they violated your Fourth Amendment rights, we file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence and have it excluded from court.

Forensic or DNA Errors

When prosecutors claim to have forensic evidence, it’s not always reliable. We scrutinize the chain of custody, testing procedures, and lab protocols for contamination, procedural errors, or missing evidence that contradicts the accusation.

Mistaken Identity

Eyewitness identification, especially by children under stress, is notoriously unreliable. We challenge identifications that result from suggestive police lineups, poor lighting conditions, or other factors that lead to misidentification of innocent people.

Close-in-Age Exception Under Texas Law

The Romeo and Juliet defense applies in limited circumstances when the alleged conduct was consensual and the parties were close in age. This affirmative defense requires the minor to be at least 14 years old and the age difference to be three years or less.

What to Do Now if You Are Accused

Your actions in the first 48 hours after an accusation can determine your future. You must protect yourself immediately while evidence still exists and before investigators solidify their case against you.

Don’t Contact the Accuser

Your instinct may be to clear up the misunderstanding, but any contact with the accuser or their family can be twisted into witness intimidation charges. Even well-meaning messages or calls through mutual friends become evidence against you.

Don’t Give Statements to Police

Detectives are trained to obtain confessions through psychological techniques and leading questions. Politely decline to answer questions and clearly state, “I want to speak with my lawyer.” Don’t let them convince you that talking will help your situation.

Preserve Messages and Digital Evidence

Don’t delete anything from your phones, computers, or social media accounts. Take screenshots of text conversations, save emails, and download relevant social media posts. This information could contain critical evidence proving your innocence.

Write a Private Timeline for Your Attorney

Document everything you remember while events are fresh in your mind. Include dates, times, locations, potential witnesses, and any relevant circumstances. Share this information only with your attorney under attorney-client privilege.

Call Our Team Immediately

The prosecution is already building their case against you. You need an experienced League City sex crime attorney to start protecting your rights and investigating the truth immediately.

How We Defend You in the First 72 Hours

Our firm initiates an immediate response protocol to take control of the investigation before it gains unstoppable momentum. We don’t wait for formal charges—we work to prevent them from being filed.

Stop Unsafe Interviews and Pretext Calls

We immediately contact the lead detective and CPS investigator to assert your constitutional rights. This prevents them from questioning you or your family members without legal representation present.

Secure and Review Digital Evidence

We act quickly to preserve your electronic devices and social media accounts. Our forensic experts create protected copies of your data to find exonerating evidence before police seize your devices and take information out of context.

Preserve Surveillance and Third-Party Records

We send legal preservation notices to businesses, schools, and other entities to secure surveillance footage and records before they’re automatically deleted. Time is critical because surveillance footage and other records can be automatically deleted or overwritten if not preserved promptly.

Prepare for Grand Jury Proceedings

We begin gathering witness affidavits, expert reports, and favorable evidence to present to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office. Our goal is to convince prosecutors not to file charges or to seek a “no-bill” from the grand jury.

Our Experience in League City and Galveston County Courts

For over 30 years, we’ve defended clients in Galveston County courts, including the 405th District Court where many League City cases are heard. Attorney Grant Scheiner is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

We’ve successfully handled sex crime defense in League City for numerous clients facing false accusations, often securing dismissals through pre-indictment intervention. Our deep relationships with local prosecutors and judges, built over three decades of practice, give us insight into how these cases are handled in Galveston County.

Our track record includes grand jury no-bills, dismissed charges, and not guilty verdicts in cases where clients were falsely accused of child sexual abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will CPS Contact Me and Should I Speak with Them?

CPS will likely investigate alongside police when child sexual abuse is alleged. You have the right to refuse CPS interviews and demand an attorney be present before speaking with any investigator.

Can Charges Be Dropped if the Family Recants?

Galveston County prosecutors often proceed with charges even when accusers recant their stories. The state may argue that recantations result from pressure or manipulation by the defendant.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Assault in Texas?

Texas has no statute of limitations for most serious child sexual abuse offenses. Charges can be filed against you decades after alleged incidents occurred.

Does the Romeo and Juliet Law Apply in My Case?

This defense, commonly known as the Romeo and Juliet Law, requires the alleged conduct to be consensual, the age difference to be three years or less, and the minor to be at least 14 years old. The specific facts of your case determine eligibility.

How Much Does a Child Sexual Abuse Defense Lawyer Cost?

Legal fees depend on case complexity and whether it proceeds to trial. We offer clear fee arrangements and accept payment plans to make experienced legal defense accessible when you need it most.

Call Scheiner DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

Child sexual abuse allegations in League City require immediate action to protect your freedom and future. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and your legal position weakens with each passing day.

Our team is ready to step in immediately, investigate the facts, and build a strong defense on your behalf. We understand what’s at stake and treat every case with the urgency and focus it deserves.