Child Molestation Attorney in Houston

We Know How Harris County Prosecutors Build These Cases. Now We Use That Knowledge to Defend You.

In Texas, what most people call child molestation is prosecuted as indecency with a child under Texas Penal Code Section 21.11, a felony offense carrying prison time, mandatory sex offender registration, and consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom. An accusation alone, before any conviction, can cost you your job, your reputation, and your family relationships. The charge demands an attorney who understands it from both sides.

Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC brings that perspective directly. Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube spent eight years as a Harris County prosecutor from 1994 through 2002, handling sex crime cases and learning precisely how the District Attorney’s Office builds and presents them. She now applies that knowledge on behalf of the accused. Combined with over 60 years of criminal defense experience across our firm, we handle indecency with a child cases from the earliest investigation through trial and, when necessary, post-conviction. Se habla español.

If you’re facing an accusation or investigation, contact Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC before speaking to police, Child Protective Services, or any investigator. Call (713) 526-6300 for a free, confidential consultation.

What Texas Penal Code Section 21.11 Actually Covers

Texas Penal Code Section 21.11 defines two distinct offenses. Indecency with a child by contact involves sexual touching of a child under 17, including touching through clothing, with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire. Indecency with a child by exposure involves exposing one’s genitals in the presence of a child, or causing a child to expose themselves, with sexual intent. Neither charge requires physical force, skin-to-skin contact, or any showing that the child resisted.

Two points catch many people off guard. First, the statute applies regardless of whether the accused knew the child’s age. Second, there is no statute of limitations for this offense under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 12.01, meaning charges can be brought years or even decades after the alleged conduct. Indecency with a child is also a lesser included offense of sexual assault of a child, which affects how cases are charged and negotiated.

Why Clients Facing This Charge Come to Us

Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube knows how Harris County prosecutors review evidence in child sex crime cases, how they approach plea offers, and how they present these cases to juries. That institutional knowledge shapes every defense decision we make, from the initial investigation review through cross-examination strategy at trial.

Investigation & Case Context

Our investigation goes beyond the police report. We examine the full context surrounding the allegation: custody disputes, prior false claims, the history of adult-child relationships involved, and any digital or written communications, including text messages, emails, and phone records, that provide relevant context. We work with forensic psychologists and medical professionals who focus on false memory and suggestibility in children to challenge the reliability of statements when the record supports it.

Child advocacy center interviews and school interviews are not neutral. How those interviews are conducted matters as much as what is said, and we scrutinize the methodology behind every statement gathered from a child witness. Throughout the process, we handle your case with discretion to protect your reputation while the legal process unfolds.

Credentials & Access

Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube is licensed in Texas, the Southern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Texas, the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. She has been named a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly and recognized as Best Lawyers 2017 Lawyer of the Year in Criminal Defense for the Houston area. Our attorneys make their cell phone numbers available to clients and provide 24-hour virtual access by fax or email.

Start Your Defense Before Investigators Build Their Case

Anything said to police or CPS before retaining a lawyer can be used against you, even when your intention is simply to explain or clear things up. Evidence that supports your defense, including phone logs, travel records, and digital communications, can disappear quickly if not preserved early. The sooner we are involved, the more options may be available.

We represent clients throughout Houston and Harris County. Contact Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC at (713) 526-6300 or through our online contact form for a free, confidential case evaluation.