At the Law Office of Nathaniel Pitoniak, we know that the Penal Code (section 22.011) takes sexual assault very seriously. As a Katy sexual assault attorney with 15+ years of experience, we know that you could be facing felony charges and imprisonment.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be facing a first- or second-degree felony charge.
You’re innocent until proven guilty, but as many people who have been accused know, life changes drastically the moment you’re accused.
If convicted, you face:
- Prison
- Difficulty seeking employment
- Loss of certain rights
We have extensive experience helping clients in Katy achieve the best possible outcome for their cases.
If you’re facing sexual assault charges, we’re here to help.
Call us or fill out our form online to schedule a consultation.
What Types of Cases Does a Sexual Assault Attorney in Katy Handle?
The right attorney can help with any sexual assault case. You want to find an attorney who has handled similar cases to yours and knows the mind of a prosecutor. We can help.
You may be facing:
- Sexual assault: Commonly considered “rape,” sexual assault is when penetration of a sexual organ, mouth or anus without the person’s consent. Consent cannot be sought when violence, physical force or submission of any kind occurs. Statutory rape also falls under sexual assault and is when the victim is under the age of consent (17).
- Aggravated sexual assault: If an aggravated sexual assault occurs, you’re facing a first-degree felony. Depending on the case, you may also be facing a minimum of 25 years in prison. A sexual assault is upgraded to an aggravated sexual assault when you cause serious bodily injury, use a deadly weapon, the victim is under 14, elderly or disabled, or certain threats are made.
Your defense will depend on your case’s circumstances and the evidence available. We don’t know which type of defense will work best for your case, but it may include challenging the evidence, witness testimony and more.
The prosecution may have a weak case, and it’s your attorney’s goal to identify these weaknesses and use them to defend you.
Can A Sexual Assault Defense Attorney Help If I Believe the Allegations Are False?
An estimated 2-8% of sexual assault allegations are false. False allegations can upend the accused’s life, tarnishing their reputation and putting their freedom at risk.
If you believe you are being falsely accused, a Katy sexual assault attorney can help you fight the allegations. An attorney can:
- Preserve evidence supporting your innocence, which may include documents, text or email messages, surveillance footage and other evidence that corroborates your version of events.
- Use expert witness testimony to challenge the accuser’s credibility.
- Gather evidence to demonstrate that the encounter was consensual. Emails, text messages or even witness statements may demonstrate consent.
It is crucial to consult with an attorney as early on as possible, so evidence can be gathered and experts can be brought in to challenge the accusations.
What Are My Rights If I’ve Been Arrested or Charged with Sexual Assault in Texas?
Sexual assault charges are serious, but you still have basic rights that should not be violated, including:
- The right to remain silent. You are under no obligation to speak to investigators, police or anyone else. The right to remain silent (not to incriminate yourself) is protected by the Fifth Amendment.
- The right to an attorney. If you are charged with a crime that is punishable by jail time, you are guaranteed the right to counsel. Defendants who cannot afford an attorney will be granted access to a public defender. If you are being questioned by the police, you have the right to have your attorney present.
- The right to change counsel. If you believe that your attorney is not acting in your best interest, you have the right to hire another attorney or request another public defender.
If the case involves a minor or you’re charged with a felony, you may be required to provide a DNA sample.
Don’t wait to hire an attorney if you have been arrested or charged with sexual assault. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, explain your options and help you find the best course of action to take in your case.
How The Law Office of Nathaniel Pitoniak Can Help with Your Case
Sexual assault charges are serious. Depending on the offense, you may be looking at time in jail, fines and other penalties. To achieve the best possible outcome, you need an attorney with experience successfully handling cases involving sexual assault.
Nathaniel Pitoniak has 15+ years of experience defending clients against sexual assault charges and other crimes. He leverages his experience as a former prosecutor to help clients navigate the legal system and achieve positive outcomes.
Contact the Law Office of Nathaniel Pitoniak today to schedule a consultation with a Katy sexual assault attorney.
