If Framed For Child Molestation, You May Be Required to Register As a Sex Offender

January 1, 2014

Child molestation is considered an abhorrent crime, and can include everything from inappropriate touching to child sexual abuse. Charges of child molestation can haunt an individual for a lifetime, even when the allegations are unfounded in nature.

There are a number of sanctions that can be imposed on an individual who is charged with child molestation. According to the Texas Penal Code, a few of these sanctions can include:

Jail time
Fines
Mandatory sex offender counseling
Requirement to register as a sex offender
Restrictions on where an individual can live or work

Who is at Risk of Being Charged?

While parents and family members are often accused of molesting children, those who have contact with them on a regular basis are also at risk of being accused of this crime. A few people who could easily find themselves the target of an investigation include:

Day care workers
Teachers
Athletic coaches
School counselors
Volunteers in child enrichment programs

Sorting out False Accusations

Unfortunately, people are often wrongly accused of child molestation, are unaware of legal rights, and suffer a great deal of public embarrassment as a result. This often occurs whenever the child in question is the subject of a custody dispute, or when there is an argument among family members. Health and education workers may sometimes submit false reports to child protection agencies because they perceive that there has been some type of wrongdoing.

False allegations are actually more common than most people think. In addition, both men and women can be the target of an investigation. It doesn’t matter that there is no truth to these charges-people will automatically shy away from anyone who has even been accused of such horrific acts. Many times, this social isolation does not stop, even if an individual is acquitted of his or her charges.

Obtaining the Facts

Child molestation charges will require a thorough investigation in order to arrive at the truth. Since many cases do not involve forensic evidence, a case may be solely built on testimony from various witnesses. In these cases, it is important to examine each witness statement carefully in order to look for gaps in their stories or facts that do not seem to match the circumstances. In doing so, attorneys can sometimes develop reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors as to whether or not a horrendous act has actually occurred. Even when forensic evidence is included, it must be examined carefully, as evidence from crime labs is sometimes tainted, or worse yet, falsified in order to bring about the conviction of an innocent person.

Child molestation is a very serious crime in Texas. If you have been convicted of molestation, then you need legal help today. Contact Brett A. Podolsky at 713.227.0087 for free legal consultation.