Someone I Love Has Been Accused of a Sex Crime in Houston

Anger, shame, fear, and confusion are just some of the emotions that you may feel if a loved one has been accused of a sex crime in Houston. You may wonder how or why someone you love and trust could do something so despicable, but something tells you that you shouldn’t rush to judgment. You also know that your loved one has never needed you as much as they do at this moment. The road that lays ahead is full of challenges. The best way to navigate these difficulties is to arm yourself with knowledge and to prepare for what comes next.

If your loved one is allegations of sexual misconduct, contact a sex crimes lawyer from The Law Office of Ned Barnett at (713) 222-6767 to schedule a free and confidential case consultation. You can also reach out via our online form.

Understanding the Sexual Misconduct Investigation Process

Many instances of sexual misconduct do not result in criminal charges. Prosecutors must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, and with a crime that occurs mostly behind closed doors, this can be very difficult. The most reliable evidence that prosecutors rely on is that which comes from the victim in the immediate aftermath of the alleged assault. However, many victims do not go to the police or to a hospital after being assaulted, which rules out some of the most useful evidence that might be used in a later prosecution.

When the victim does receive an exam after the assault, the hair fibers, clothing samples, and DNA is stored in a rape kit. A crime lab must then analyze this information for it to be useful to the prosecution. Their goal is to match the contents of the rape kit with a specific individual, and to determine how and when the victim was assaulted. Many rape kits never get tested in a crime lab. But in a high-profile case that has the prosecutor’s attention, a specific rape kit might be pushed through the backlog to get tested promptly.

The prosecutor will review the evidence to determine whether it is sufficient to move forward with the case. At the onset of a criminal procedure, the prosecutor needs only enough evidence to reasonably connect the suspect with the crime. So if they are under a lot of pressure, the prosecution may move forward with criminal charges with little evidence on the hope that more will emerge later on. Generally, sexual assault cases are so difficult to prove that a prosecution will only move forward when they have access to solid evidence.

What to Do If the Prosecutor Charges Your Loved One With a Sex Crime

Whether it’s your sibling, parent, child, or spouse, when someone in your family gets charged with a sex crime, it can put a significant strain on your lives. Your own reputation might suffer from the accusations, and you may be tempted to distance yourself from them. On the other hand, you may feel the need to stand by them in these troubled times, and help them face the accusations head-on. In any event, you may be called on as a witness to testify in their case -either by the defense or the prosecution.

Is Your Loved One Facing Allegations of a Sex Crime in Houston? Call Us Today

Your love and support can be crucial to someone going through the criminal justice process. At The Law Offices of Ned Barnett, we have a proven track record of helping people avoid the devastating consequences of a sex crime conviction. We also know how much it helps when the accused benefits from the support of their family. If a loved one is facing sex crimes accusations and you want to help them, have them call a Houston sex crimes attorney today at our firm. Contact us today at (713) 222-6767 for a free, initial evaluation of your case.