What Is the Difference Between Rape and Sexual Assault?

What Is the Difference Between Rape and Sexual Assault

Sexual assault and rape are serious crimes. If someone has accused you of sexual assault or rape in Dallas, you should contact an attorney with years of experience vigorously defending clients against similar charges. Texas prosecutors take violent sex crimes like rape and sexual assault very seriously, and a conviction for these types of charges could haunt you for the rest of your life. So, you should always work with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights if you are facing rape or sexual assault charges.

At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, principal attorney Mark T. Lassiter is a former Dallas prosecutor who now represents clients throughout the state of Texas in a variety of criminal defense matters. This means he has extensive experience on both sides of the courtroom. Mark knows how the State will likely approach your case and how to prepare a strong defense case accordingly. So let Mark and his team defend your rights and protect your future.

Call us today at (214) 845-7007 or contact us online to learn more in a free consultation session.

Sexual Assault vs. Rape in Texas

Under Texas law, both sexual assault and rape are considered “assaultive offenses.” However, the lawmakers who created the current statutes did not use the term “rape.” Instead, state law uses the term “sexual assault” to describe most violent sex crimes.

Someone commits sexual assault in Texas if they:

  • Penetrate the genitals or anus of another person without consent,
  • Cause someone to place their genitals upon another without consent, or
  • Penetrate the mouth of another person with a sexual organ without consent

Reading these definitions, you can see that most people would call one or more of these acts rape. However, they are all considered sexual assault under Texas law.

The statute also includes a definition of consent in the context of a sexual assault case. Situations that involve a lack of consent include:

  • Forcing someone to engage in sexual activities using threats of violence
  • Taking advantage of someone who is physically or mentally incapable of resisting, unconscious, or otherwise unaware of the assault
  • Using drugs or intoxicants to purposely lower someone’s capacity to consent or resist
  • Taking advantage of a position of power over someone, such as a student, healthcare patient, or religious pupil, to coerce them into sexual activities

Rape, Sexual Assault, and Aggravated Sexual Assault

The State can charge someone accused of rape with aggravated sexual assault if aggravating factors such as serious bodily injury are present. Possible aggravating factors could include:

  • Age – A sexual assault charge could be upgraded to aggravated sexual assault if the alleged victim is underage.
  • Disability or mental condition – Similarly, prosecutors might file aggravated sexual assault charges if an alleged victim is disabled or mentally incapacitated.
  • Injury or death – If a sexual assault offense results in bodily injury or death to an alleged victim, it could be prosecuted as aggravated sexual assault.

Penalties For Sexual Assault and Rape

Sexual assault without aggravating factors is a second-degree felony in Texas. Second-degree felonies do not bring with them the risk of life imprisonment but still require you to register as a sex offender for life. The maximum sentence for these felonies is 20 years, and the minimum sentence is two years.

Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony. Along with requiring you to register as a sex offender for life, aggravated sexual assault convictions can result in life imprisonment.

Those convicted of sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault in Texas are ineligible for parole if they are sentenced to more than ten years in prison. A conviction for aggravated sexual assault against children under 14 also would also preclude the possibility of parole.

Should I Contact An Attorney For My Rape or Sexual Assault Trial?

What Is the Difference Between Rape and Sexual Assault_ 2Yes. No one should navigate the complex web of laws and statutes surrounding sexual assault or rape charges without a gifted attorney by their side. Don’t settle for subpar representation or an underfunded public defender with a mountain of other cases. Hiring a knowledgeable defense attorney is the best way to ensure that your rights are protected throughout your case. Your lawyer can craft an intelligent defense case on your behalf, represent you in court during mandatory appearances, and argue with prosecutors to have your charges reduced or dismissed.

Contact A Sexual Assault and Rape Defense Attorney In Dallas

If you have been accused of sexual assault or rape in Dallas, Texas, Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter is here to help you through this challenging time. Call us today at (214) 845-7007 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case with our attentive team in a free, confidential case review.

Top Rated Lawyer - Rating 10.0
Top 10 Dallas (BEST D)
Dallas Bar Association
Texas Criminal Lawyers Association
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Super-Lawyers Logo
American Association for Justice
The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
TESTIMONIALS

Recommendation for Mark LassiterI am pleased to write a letter of recommendation. I highly recommend Mark Lassiter to others who are seeking such assistance. His representation allowed me to do very little in my case. It was Mark’s proven expertise and his legal knowledge that was valuable in getting my case dismissed. In short, I recommend Mark enthusiastically without reservation and I do believe he would be a valuable asset to you.

- Name Redacted

dear Markplease accept this letter on my and Susan’s behalf. there is a powerful message and testimony we would like to share with you for the first time.for over a year the weight of what happened to Reid was heavy on our souls. at first we held great anger, resentment and disgust toward Angel (the passenger). it became evident after turning 21 the Angel has a severe alcohol problem which my son nor us fully understood. The arrest also brought us great disappointment, frustration and disheartenment toward Reid.We have found that God often surprises us with his answers to our prayers. Prior to the arrest was had been in prayer that God help turn Reid away from selfishness, childishness and destructive ways. We prayed that God move to change him toward everlasting values and better choices in his life. We believe that God answered that prayer with the arrest. We blamed ourselves for bringing this calamity but understood it would take something this powerful to reach him. There is no doubt in our minds this ordeal has placed a permanent imprint on his soul.during the many delays associated with this case we were able to put forgiveness in our hearts toward Angel. Also during the many delays the full weight of the case in our and Reid’s mind triggered conversations pertaining to life decisions and direction. Time allowed us the opportunity to be rid of the noise and cloudiness of our emotions. We believe this to be a part of the master plan that God was overseeing.Only today did the full story become revealed. During this case with all the odds against us can we say without question that God was in it. How else could the series of events occurred within the judicial process that could put the opportunity in to your mind that there was a way to victory. The entire morning Susan and i were in fervent prayer even after your told us we had only a 25% chance of winning.Grace is the receipt of a blessing that is undeserved. Reid did not deserve to win today. We all are eternally marked by the message of grace given to us and you were the instrument that brought the gift to our house. Thank you from bottom of our souls and may God bless and keep you all of your days.

- Name Redacted

Dear Mr. Lassiter,Today you saved my son’s life. When he received a DWI, it broke my heart because I knew it would be on his record forever. It would limit his options in life. He would be paying for his stupid mistake for the rest of his life. At 21 years of age he was overwhelmed with the depth of the problem he created for himself.I decided to find him the best lawyer in Dallas, and I did. I researched lawyers for two days, and then I found you. I knew from the moment I read about you that you were the one we needed. When I met you, I knew instantly that I had complete confidence in you. Even if the result had ended with my son being guilty, I would have had peace knowing that he had had THE BEST lawyer.Listening to you “own” the courtroom today was amazing. You told us in the morning that we only had about 25% chance to win; however, by the middle of the afternoon the case was over before the prosecutors even finished, and we won! What an incredible lawyer you are!I will be grateful forever to you. Your work has given my son a second chance. He left the courtroom today with a whole new perspective on life…thanks to you!Very sincerely,

- Susan Ellis

unless you are already a petty criminal with countless B and C misdemeanors and a misdemeanor A pending, a DWI charge might not really matter much – for all the others counts: Fight it with all you got – get the best professional to your side you can find!Why should you? A simple google search “Texas DWI penalties” will give you an idea what you are looking at: prison, probation, fines, classes, ignition interlock, insurance rate skyrockets and a criminal record for life (yes – this can happen even for a first time DWI in Texas) Now if you read until this point you probably are charged with a DWI (or simply board) and you are shopping for a lawyer – so some basic guidance:a) Same as in real life: You want to be surrounded by people who know what they are talking about. Nobody likes people who constantly brag around, through around the usual business buzz words which doesn’t mean anything. So: Get somebody who is specialized in this field, means if 50% or more of his work is in the field of defending DWI’s that’s probably a good indicator– Mark is one of them – talk to him you will see!b) Educate yourself – thanks to a wonderful innovation by DARPA (which you are using in this moment) you can read all about it: What happened the night before, what’s a SFT, what is a legal stop, how does an Intoxilyzer 5000 work and what flaws does it have, possible plea bargain options (not so tempting ones in TX anyway) – read the stuff, it’s out there and discuss it with your attorney – if he doesn’t want or can’t answer your questions, that’s a pretty good indicator that your sitting in the wrong office, run!– Mark WILL answer your questions – and I’m convinced you cannot surprise him with a question in your case that he can’t answer or will find an answer for you!c) Your lawyer should – more or less – from the beginning be willing to take your case to Trial, all the way. What do you have to lose? If you are a BAC 0.28 candidate and you plea it down to a misdemeanor B it technically looks better on paper – but it will still follow you for life (most employers wouldn’t even consider the difference or know it – a DWI is a DWI…) If you are a BAC 0.09 candidate your chances are even better – (did you know the Intoxilyzer 5000 gives himself a +-0.02 calibration margin? What now, is a BAC 0.09 and hour after driving now under the legal limit? Guess what, the state will state “off course NOT! The magic machine proved he’s Intoxicated and guilty!” That’s why you need a lawyer on your side who is willing to take it to trial!– Mark is a trial lawyer – those people don’t want to plea out, they need the courtroom as their stage, that’s what they love to do, that’s what they are good at – so let him do it for you!d) Money / Costs – completely neglect. This is not the time for price comparison. You are not out there to shop for new hardwood floor for your living room – you are out there to get the best possible outcome in a situation which initial will hurt you if convicted pretty bad (financially), possible cost you your job, destroy your reputation and will follow you around for the rest of your natural life.– Mark will not overcharge you for his service, in my opinion you are getting a great deal. If you have the feeling you cannot afford a lawyer like Mark put it into perspective: if you hire a $500 lawyer and plead guilty maybe to a DWI misdemeanor B, you will pay much more over the years in court costs, classes, probation fees, DPS surcharges, insurance and and and… But if you hire Mark, you have one of the best at your side, you have a real chance – off course Mark isn’t a magic wizard who can make everything go away in a moment’s notice, but 5,10,20 years down the road you don’t want to think “oh boy, I wish I would have fought this thing more aggressively back then…” I was already a bit into my case when I met Mark. Mark has a can do attitude, does not try to beat around the bush and most importantly: He looks at things, tries different avenues, seeks out weaknesses in the case base on the evidence presented – if you meet him, you will have the same experience. During our meetings we discussed alternatives and other options e.g. expert witnesses, jury trial, bench trial, plea agreement (even if he didn’t like that – Mark doesn’t want to plea, he wants to win for his clients)And here is the outcome:A clear acquittal – NOT GUILTY(even better than a dismissal which technically can be reopened by the DA within the statute of limitations – if I understood that right – Not guilty means you are not guilty, case expunged – that’s the end of it!)Mark’s services helped me to get the best possible outcome you can expect when you are charged with a (DWI / DUI) crime and I hope I will never see him again….. (under such circumstances J ) –

- Daniel

I would never use or recommend anyone else for anybody else for a criminal manner.

- Cory M.
More Reviews
Free Case Evaluation