Negotiating Plea Deals in Texas Sex Crime Cases

 Posted on June 20, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Facing sex crime charges in the state of Texas can be overwhelming. The penalties for a conviction include lengthy prison sentences, sex offender registration, and a permanent criminal record. However, in some cases, a trial is not the only path forward, and if you can avoid a trial, you will also avoid much of the ugliness that accompanies sex crime trials.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys commonly engage in plea negotiations in an effort to resolve charges without ever going to court. If you are facing sex crime charges, a well-negotiated plea deal may reduce your penalties or perhaps even reclassify your offense. In some cases, charges can be dismissed entirely. When you have an experienced Plano, TX criminal defense attorney who is highly skilled in plea bargaining, you could end up with a much better outcome.

How Often Do Plea Bargains Occur?

While we often see jury trials portrayed on television shows as the path to a conviction or acquittal in criminal cases, in reality, more than 95 percent of criminal convictions today are obtained through plea bargains. While opponents of the plea bargain system argue that it is often unjust, unfair, and lacking in transparency, plea bargains are an integral part of the criminal justice system.

Understanding the Plea Bargain Process in a Sex Crime Case

Plea deals are far from guaranteed in cases involving sexual offenses and will depend on the strength of the evidence (witness testimony, video evidence, and DNA evidence) and the type of sex offense. Some serious sex offenses, like aggravated sexual assault, may have mandatory sentences, making them ineligible for reduced charges. The victim’s opinion matters to the prosecution when a plea deal is considered, and the defendant’s criminal history is also a factor. The process for a plea bargain contains the following elements:

Sex Crime Charges are Filed

Once sex crime charges are filed, the prosecutor will review all the available evidence and file formal charges based on Texas law. Once the charges are filed, the defendant can demand a jury trial or allow his or her defense attorney to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor.

Plea Negotiations Begin

Plea negotiations usually occur before the trial but can happen up to the time the lawyers give their closing statements at trial. The criminal defense attorney will communicate with the prosecutor to indicate that the defendant is open to a plea after reviewing all evidence and determining whether there are weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case. Negotiations usually result in a lesser charge or a reduced sentence for the original charge.

The Defense Attorney Takes the Plea Deal to the Defendant

A plea deal for a sex crime case could include pleading guilty to a lesser offense, negotiating probation rather than prison, or a deal for deferred adjudication. Deferred adjudication means that after the defendant completes probation, the charges are dismissed. In a sex crime case, this could mean there will be no sex offender registration necessary, although sex offender registry is required in most sex offenses.

The Defendant Accepts or Rejects the Plea Offer

It is the defense attorney’s job to ensure the defendant fully understands the plea. The judge will determine whether the plea is voluntary and will approve or reject the plea. If the defendant rejects the plea, the case will proceed to trial by jury.

What Might Affect the Prosecutor’s Willingness to Plea Bargain

In most cases, prosecutors are open to at least some level of plea bargaining unless:

• The case is extremely solid.
• The defendant has a prior sex crime conviction.
• The defendant has not been cooperative with law enforcement.
• There are compelling statements from the victim and/or witnesses.
• The prosecutor is facing significant media attention or public pressure.

Contact a Collin County, TX Sex Crimes Lawyer

In many cases, sex crimes can be among the most difficult crimes to plea bargain, largely because of the public response to sex crimes. A Plano, TX sex crimes attorney from The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. can help you achieve the best deal possible. Attorney Crowder has significant experience defending serious felony offenses and is knowledgeable and aggressive. Call 214-544-0061 to schedule your free consultation.