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Austin Sexual Assault Attorney.
An Accusation Is Not a Conviction.

Allegations of sexual assault are among the most serious, and most socially devastating — charges a person can face. Richard Gentry has taken these cases to trial and won. Your rights don’t disappear because of what you’ve been accused of.
What is Sexual Assault in Texas?

Under Texas Penal Code § 22.011, sexual assault occurs when a person intentionally or knowingly causes the penetration of another person without that person’s consent, or causes sexual contact with a person they know is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to consent. It is a second-degree felony, carrying 2–20 years in prison, and aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum of 5 years, up to life.

Understanding Your Case

These Charges Are Serious. They Are Also Defensible.

Make no mistake — to many people, an allegation alone is enough to presume guilt. You may lose friends. You may lose your job. Your own family may struggle to know what to say. These things can happen before a single day in court, simply because of the gravity of what you’ve been accused of. The social consequences of a sexual assault allegation can be immediate and brutal, regardless of the facts.

But just because an accusation has been made does not mean you did anything wrong. Like every other criminal case, the State must prove every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt. And despite how uncomfortable it is to acknowledge — accusers in sexual assault cases do sometimes lie. They do have incorrect or distorted memories. They do, at times, have ulterior motives. These are not easy things to say, but they are true — and a good defense attorney never loses sight of them.

The criminal justice system is designed to protect the accused. Those rights don’t disappear because of the nature of the charge. Richard Gentry’s job is to make sure they are enforced.

Charged with Sexual Assault in Austin?

Don’t wait. These cases move fast and early intervention matters more here than anywhere. Richard reviews every inquiry personally.

512-499-0007

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Former Travis County Prosecutor

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Sexual Assault Trial Experience

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NOT GUILTY Verdict — Travis County

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Federal & State Court Experience

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24 / 7 Availability for Urgent Cases

Why Richard for Sexual Assault Cases?

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He’s won these cases at trial. NOT GUILTY in a case prosecutors called strong. That’s not luck, that’s preparation.

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Prosecutor insight. He knows how the State builds sexual assault cases, because he built them.
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He never assumes it’s hopeless. Every case has a story. His job is to make sure the jury hears yours.
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Personal attention. Your case gets Richard, not a paralegal or a junior associate.
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The Question the State Will Always Raise

Even though it is not required by law, prosecutors in sexual assault cases will almost always find a way to ask, directly or indirectly, “Why would she lie?” It isn’t fair, and it isn’t what the law demands. But juries are human. They will want that question answered. A good defense attorney anticipates this from day one and builds a strategy around it, not around hoping the jury won’t ask.

This is not a passive type of defense. It requires deep investigation into the accuser’s background, prior statements, relationships, and the specific circumstances of the allegation. It requires knowing when to challenge, when to probe, and when to let the inconsistencies speak for themselves.

“It is never, ever hopeless. Your rights as the accused don’t disappear because of what you’ve been accused of.”

— Richard Gentry, Austin Criminal Defense Attorney

A Track Record When It Matters Most

Richard Gentry has taken sexual assault cases all the way to jury trial — and won. His most recent sexual assault trial resulted in a NOT GUILTY verdict, even in a case the prosecution believed was strong. This outcome is a direct product of preparation, strategy, and the willingness to fight when others would settle.

Charges We Defend

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Sexual Assault (Second-Degree Felony)

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Aggravated Sexual Assault (First-Degree Felony)

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Indecency with a Child

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Sexual Assault of a Child

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Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student

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Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

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Possession / Distribution of Child Pornography

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Online Solicitation of a Minor

Related Practice Areas

Drug Charges

Co-occurring charges in many domestic cases

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Assault & Family Violence

Frequently overlapping or related allegations

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DWI Defense

Often charged alongside assault after an incident

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Every case starts with a conversation. Richard personally reviews every inquiry and responds within one business hour. There's no obligation, just honest answers.
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What Clients Say

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can a sexual assault charge be defended even if there is DNA evidence? +
Yes. DNA evidence proves contact — it does not prove lack of consent. The question in most sexual assault cases is not whether contact occurred, but whether it was consensual. Richard's most recent NOT GUILTY verdict came in a case where DNA evidence was present. Context, circumstances, and the full picture of the relationship are what matter most.
What if the accuser is lying or misremembering what happened? +
False or distorted accusations do happen. A thorough defense investigates the accuser's prior statements, the timeline of the allegation, their motive, their relationship to the accused, and any inconsistencies in their account. Cross-examination and independent investigation are often the most powerful tools in these cases.
What is the difference between sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault in Texas? +
Sexual assault is a second-degree felony (2–20 years). Aggravated sexual assault — which involves a weapon, serious bodily injury, a victim under 14, or other aggravating factors — is a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to life in prison. The distinction significantly changes both the defense strategy and the sentencing exposure.
Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted? +
In most sexual assault convictions in Texas, yes — sex offender registration is mandatory, often for life. This affects where you can live, work, and travel. It is one of the most severe collateral consequences of any criminal conviction and a major reason why fighting these charges aggressively from the very beginning is critical.
What should I do and not do immediately after being accused? +
Do not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present. Do not contact the accuser. Do not post anything on social media. Preserve any communications, messages, or records that may be relevant. Then call an attorney immediately. What you say — or don't say — in the hours after an accusation can have an enormous impact on your case.
Can charges be filed based solely on someone's word with no other evidence? +
Yes, in Texas, a sexual assault charge can be filed and prosecuted based primarily on the testimony of the alleged victim. There is no corroboration requirement under Texas law. This makes it all the more important to have a defense attorney who knows how to challenge credibility, expose inconsistencies, and present your side of the story effectively to a jury.