Houston Sexual Assault Defense Attorney

How does one beat a sex assault charge?
By choosing the right criminal defense lawyer who specializes in cases like yours.

Can you be charged with sexual assault without evidence?

Absolutely. The question of whether or not you can be convicted, however, remains to be seen and largely depends who you hire to represent you.

Winning a sexual assault case as the defendant is a difficult and challenging task, even in the most favorable circumstances. Despite the right granted to all American citizens that they are "innocent until proven guilty," law enforcement, prosecutors, jurors, the media and public opinion almost always side with the alleged victim before the evidence is even presented.

At the Neal Davis Law Firm, we believe in second chances and fighting for every defendant's constitutional rights of a fair trial and vigorous defense. You are innocent unless the prosecution can prove otherwise "beyond a reasonable doubt," and we will fight for you, your family and your freedom throughout the legal process.

Why Hire a Sexual Assault Defense Attorney?

According to the Miranda Rights and the Sixth Amendment, every American has the right to hire a qualified attorney or be appointed professional legal counsel if they can't afford one.

Some people choose to waive this right and represent themselves; however, this is highly discouraged in sexual assault cases.

For starters, Texas is extremely harsh on accused sex offenders, often sentencing those found guilty to many years in prison and forcing them to register with the state. Additional punishments include heavy fines, civil lawsuits and damage to relationships. Experienced attorneys like Neal Davis know how to communicate best with prosecutors and judges, artfully negotiating on your behalf to build the most effective legal defense based on extensive knowledge of the law and the evidence being used against you.

Is it cheaper to have a defense attorney appointed to your sexual assault case rather than hire one?

Not necessarily. The cost of a public defender is often passed onto the defendant in the end, so don't make the mistake of thinking you are getting "free" legal services. Also, while you are guaranteed the right to professional legal representation, that doesn't mean the individual assigned to your case is cut out for the job. Court appointed attorneys often juggle heavy caseloads and are more likely to make a mistake or not give your case the personal attention it deserves.

To secure the best possible outcome in your case, you will need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney on your own.

How to Hire the Best Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer?

Hiring the right criminal defense attorney who has a thorough understanding of sex assault laws in your state can mean the difference between jail and having your charges dropped or dismissed. For this reason, it is important you know what to look for when beginning your search.

When hiring a defense lawyer to represent your sexual assault case, you can give your case the best possible chance at success by considering the following factors:

Experience

Like most other professions, the more experience a lawyer has under his or her belt the better they will be able to perform under pressure. Attorneys can bring decades of knowledge and experience gleaned from past cases to shed key insights on your case, so be sure the firm you are thinking about hiring isn't staffed by lawyers fresh out of law school.

Houston sex assault attorney Neal Davis has nearly 20 years of experience practicing criminal defense law in Texas. He has defended clients in all types of legal matters, including arguing before the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals and appearing as lead counsel in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case. Before opening his own firm, Neal worked as a lawyer for over a decade with Texas criminal defense legend Dick DeGuerin.

Background

In addition to hiring an attorney with extensive experience, it is equally essential to make sure the lawyer you choose is well-versed in the specific criminal charge you are facing.

A firm that specializes in immigration law, for instance, would not be a good choice for fighting a sexual assault charge because the rules and defense strategies that apply to each are completely different.

At the Neal Davis Law Firm, we have successfully defended clients in many types of child sex offense cases at both the federal and state levels, including:

• Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
• Continual Sexual Abuse of a Child
• Indecency with a Child by Exposure

• Indecency with a Child by Contact
• Online Solicitation of a Minor
• Possession and/or Distribution of Child Pornography

• Statutory Rape/Child Sexual Assault
• Improper Student-Teacher Relationship
• Prostitution and Solicitation of Sex

Testimonials

Before buying a product or hiring a company, you probably look at reviews to see whether other customers were happy with their purchase. Similarly, reading about other people's experience with a certain attorney or law firm is essential before entrusting your case into their hands.

In addition to asking friends and family for recommendations, you can (and should) research online to read client testimonials.

Neal Davis is among a very small percentage of attorneys who are Board Certified in Criminal Law, AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell and listed as a Best Lawyer in America. Plus, his client testimonials and record of success speak for themselves.

Location

It is important to meet face-to-face with the person who will be representing you in court, and likewise your attorney should want to meet in-person to get to know you better and listen to your story.

Therefore, you will want to hire a law firm with offices near you, if possible, for the sake of convenience. However, the law firm should also have experience practicing law in the city, county and state where the alleged crime took place. If you have to choose between a lawyer who is located near you versus one who is based where the alleged crime occurred, go with the latter.

Based in Houston, the Neal Davis Law Firm specializes in providing knowledgeable representation and professional legal services to individuals throughout Southeast Texas, including:

Logistics

Last but not least, it is important think about the logistics of hiring a criminal defense attorney by asking general questions about cost, who will actually be handling your case and what to do next. The details may seem minor compared to the seriousness of your sex assault charges, but they can play a very important role in the outcome of your case.

Each case is different. Many factors can affect the final cost of representation and how your case is handled: the type of offense, the number of charges, the challenges faced, whether expert witnesses are needed, etc. Each law firm is also different. For instance, do they charge a contingency fee or a retainer (hourly) fee? The only way to really know how they handle logistics is to schedule a meeting with a defense lawyer and ask these questions. This initial meeting should be free - if not, find an attorney who does offer a no-cost case evaluation.

When Should You Hire a Sexual Assault Defense Attorney?

The opportune time to hire a criminal defense attorney when facing possible sex assault charges is as soon as possible. Obtaining representation early in the process, even before being questioned by law enforcement, is essential to securing the best possible result.

If you or a loved one have been charged with sexual assault in Houston, Harris County, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County or elsewhere in Texas, we invite you to fill out a contact form to schedule your free initial case evaluation. Delaying only hurts your case, so take action now to defend your freedom.

CONTACT THE NEAL DAVIS LAW FIRM IMMEDIATELY IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE FACING A SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGE IN HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY OR ELSEWHERE IN TEXAS. YOUR INITIAL CASE EVALUATION IS FREE.