Indecency with a child - Texas Sexual Assault Laws

Indecency with a child Crime & Punishment in Texas :

The Texas code § 21.11 defines two degrees of the crime indecency with a child, each with associated punishments. The degree of the crime depends on the specifics of the crime committed, with higher degrees of the charge generally receiving harsher punishments.

Severity	Indecency with a child - Charge Description	Punishment
Felony of the second degree STATUTORY	If offender engages in sexual contact with a victim under 17 or causes victim to engage in sexual contact, and offender is more than three years older than victim.	Maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000
Felony of the third degree STATUTORY	If offender more than three years older than victim, with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person causes victim under 17 to expose victim’s anus or genitals. If offender more than three years older than victim, with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person exposes offender’s anus or genitals knowing that victim under 17 is present.	Maximum of 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000

Texas law allows indecency with a child to be enforced as a statutory charge. This means that this charge can be applied to cases in which the victim is younger than the Texas Age of Consent, even if the victim willingly engages in sexual relations with the defendant.

Indecency with a child is a charge that is unique to Texas. Crimes that would be prosecuted as indecency with a child in Texas will be prosecuted under a different statute depending on the state in which the crime takes place.

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