Houston Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
How does one beat a sex assault charge?
By choosing the right criminal defense lawyer who focuses on 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.
"What should I do if I've been charged with sexual assault?"
If you live in Southeast Texas, contact Houston sex assault defense attorney Neal Davis immediately to discuss your case. With his proven track record and in-depth knowledge of Texas sex crime laws, Neal can ensure you get fair trial and provide an aggressive defense strategy.
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.
"Neal represented our son and the case against him was dismissed, while other attorneys we consulted primarily focused on explaining their fees and pushed us to settle. Neal took time to understand our needs and truly appreciate our values and to convey to the Court, the District Attorney and the Judge the true essence of the case details and the circumstances of how our son was himself victimized, versus treating us as another case. He saw the case through to the utmost extent of the law, so our son, who is an honor student, was completely exonerated, and he made sure that support and professional help were in place during the experience. He declined the court's offer of a 2-year probation and pushed harder with the D.A. even though we had already paid him his fees. Most attorneys would have simply walked away at that point; however, Neal wasn't satisfied with the results and had the case reset since he knew it was not a fair result for my son. In the end, the case was dismissed."
Verified Customer
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.
Question to Ask a Sex Assault Defense Attorney:
- How many years have they been practicing law?
- Are they a skilled trial lawyer?
- Are they board certified in criminal law?
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 focuses on 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.
Question to Ask Sex Assault Defense Attorney:
- What practice areas do they specialize in?
- Do they have examples of handling cases similar to yours?
- How did those cases turn out?
- Does their firm handle appeals and writs?
- How much of their firm is dedicated to criminal law?
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:
- 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 (2015) and listed as a Best Lawyer in America (2015-2019). Plus, his client testimonials and record of success speak for themselves.
Question to Ask a Sex Assault Defense Attorney:
- What percentage of their cases result in a positive outcome?
- Do they have client testimonials that you can see?
- If not, can you obtain the contact information of a past client?
- How do other attorneys and judges rate their firm?
- What industry awards have they been given?
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.
Question to Ask a Sex Assault Defense Attorney:
- Is the lawyer knowledgeable in the laws for the city, county and state where the crime occurred?
- Where are their legal offices located?
Based in Houston, the Neal Davis Law Firm focuses in providing knowledgeable representation and professional legal services to individuals throughout Southeast Texas, including:
Harris County
- Houston
- Pasadena
- Baytown
- Spring
Montgomery County
- Conroe
- The Woodlands
- Willis
- Pinehurst
Fort Bend County
- Sugar Land
- Richmond
- Needville
- Cinco Ranch
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.
Question to Ask a Sex Assault Defense Attorney:
- How much do their legal services cost?
- Will they be handling your case personally?
- When can you contact them and how?
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 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.
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