What Are the Penalties for Statutory Rape in Texas?

In Texas, statutory rape includes sexual penetration and sexual contact between an adult and someone younger than 17.

The sex crime is broken down into the following three categories:

• Aggravated sexual assault – Any sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 14, which is considered a first-degree felony that results in a prison sentence between five and 99 years in prison.
• Sexual assault – Any sexual penetration of a minor who is 17 or younger and an adult who is more than three years older than the victim is considered a second-degree felony, punishable by a prison sentence ranging from two to 25 years.
• Indecency with a child – Sexual contact and touching other than penetration with a minor who is 17 or younger and an adult who is more than three years older than the victim is a second-degree felony.