Texas Laws regarding Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault – Texas laws define as intentionally or knowingly causing penetration without the person’s consent
- “Penetration” includes oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by genitals or an object
- The act is considered “without consent” if there is threat or use of force, the person is unconscious or physically unable to resist, or the person is a child
Aggravated Sexual Assault – sexual assault combined with:
- serious bodily injury
- attempts to cause death
- threatens serious bodily injury, death, or kidnapping
- a deadly weapon is exhibited
- more than one offender act in concert with each other
- the offender administers Rohypnol, GHB, or Ketamine
- the victim is under the age of 14
- the victim is elderly or disabled.
Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations
Felony indictments must be presented within these time limits:
No limitation:
- Continuous sexual abuse of a young child/children
- Aggravated sexual assault of a child
- Sexual assault of a child
- Indecency with a child
- Sexual assault of an adult if DNA evidence is present
20 years from the victim’s 18th birthday:
- Sexual performance by a child
- Aggravated kidnapping with intent to commit sexual offense
- Burglary of habitation with intent to commit sexual offense
10 years from the date of the commission of the offense:
- Sexual assault of an adult
- Aggravated sexual assault of an adult