RESULTS: Juvenile Sexual Assault – Case Dismissed
Earlier this year, the family of a juvenile client sought our assistance following his arrest at school on allegations of Sexual Assault.
After being transported to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, he was questioned without his guardians present and subsequently detained. The State offered probation, but this came with the severe risk that any probation violation could result in mandatory registration as a sex offender—a consequence neither our client nor we were willing to accept.
Upon thorough examination of the State’s file, including documents and body-worn camera footage, it became evident that filing a motion to suppress our client’s statements to the police was imperative. The footage showed police officers arresting him at school, handcuffing him, and transporting him in a patrol car to the Taylor County SO, where he was questioned.
We filed a motion to suppress based on Texas Family Code provisions, arguing that his statements should be excluded due to the arresting officer’s failure to notify his guardians immediately. This lack of notification prevented them from advising their child to refrain from speaking to authorities without legal counsel.
Outcome
The State concurred with our motion, agreeing that the statements should be suppressed. Consequently, the trial court dismissed the case entirely.
Client Benefits
- Suppressed Statements: Successfully excluding the client’s statements significantly strengthened their defense.
- Avoidance of Sex Offender Registration: By dismissing the case, the client avoided the life-altering requirement of registering as a sex offender, preserving their future opportunities.
- Case Dismissal: The dismissal prevented any lasting legal repercussions from appearing on the client’s record.
- Peace of Mind: The resolution provided closure and peace of mind to both the client and their family.
The client was skillfully represented by attorneys Sarah Durham and Jacob Blizzard, who is dual board certified in both criminal defense and criminal appeals, ensuring expert guidance and advocacy throughout the case.
About The Attorneys
She is passionate about the research and writing intrinsic to appellate and post-conviction writ work. She frequently uses her skills, including attention to detail and presenting the complex as comprehensible, when advocating for her clients.
Jacob Blizzard is a distinguished Board Certified Criminal Law and Criminal Appeal Attorney as designated by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Specializing in state and federal criminal defense, criminal appeals, and post-conviction writs of habeas corpus, Mr. Blizzard stands out in the legal field.
Among over 100,000 licensed attorneys in Texas, he is one of only 87 to hold dual board certifications in both criminal law and criminal appellate law, positioning him within the top 0.087% of attorneys in the state. His expertise and dedication make him a leading figure in his area of practice.
Disclaimer
Criminal Defense and Appeal Attorneys Sarah Durham and Jacob Blizzard work tirelessly to achieve the greatest possible results for each of our clients and their families. This is a selection of one of our many successful results, settlements, and verdicts. Every case and client is unique and depends upon the individual facts and circumstances of each case. Clients may or may not obtain the same or similar results in each case.
