Under Section (a)(1) of Penal Code 21.11, You may be charged with indecency with a child if you are accused of engaging in non-penetrative sexual contact with someone under 17 years of age. The State of Texas is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged touched a child’s private areas (anus, genitals, or breasts) either above or under the child’s clothing, and this contact was intended to arouse or gratify their sexual desires, or that the alleged touch a child with their own anus, genitals, or breasts.
Under Section (a)(2) of Penal Code 21.11, a person may be charged with the crime of Indecency With a Child if they do the following for arousal or gratification:
- Exposes their genitals or anus when knowing a child is present
- Causes a child to expose the child’s anus or genitals
The charge for Indecency by Exposure is a 3rd degree felony without any prior criminal history.
Criminal Penalties for Indecency With a Child
Indecency with a child through sexual contact is a second-degree felony offense. The punishment range for this type of offense is up to $10,000 in fines and up to 20 years in prison.
Indecency with a child through exposure is a third-degree felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 10 years of incarceration. In addition to these punishments, if an individual is convicted of indecency with a child, they will be required to register as a sex offender.
For more information about our law firm and how we can help you defend against abuse or neglect to a child charges, contact our office. Call 817-617-8058 .
We represent clients in Dallas, Fort Worth, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Denton County, and all the surrounding areas.
