Bossier City Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer

Trusted Sexual Assault Defense Attorney in Bossier City, LA

People already believe you did it. Your name is out before you ever see a courtroom. Your job feels shaky, and your family looks at you differently now. You are afraid this label follows you forever, even if you did nothing wrong. You are afraid of years locked away for something you say never happened, and of a lifetime on a registry you can never come off.

That fear is exactly why you need a Bossier City sexual assault defense lawyer who has already stood in front of a jury on a rape charge and walked out with a not guilty verdict.

For 33 years, Eric G. Johnson has defended clients against the most serious sex crime allegations in Louisiana. As an AV Preeminent®-rated Criminal Defense Lawyer recognized by Martindale-Hubbell® for the highest standards of professional ability and ethics, Eric does not just handle cases — he tries them. He has successfully taken clients charged with aggravated rape and molestation of a juvenile to trial and secured acquittals, proving that serious charges are not automatic convictions.

When you are facing the weight of a sexual assault accusation, you need counsel backed by decades of proven courtroom experience. Tell us what you are facing and what you are most afraid of losing. We will go through the state’s case with you and tell you honestly where you stand.

Results in Serious Sex Crime and Violent Felony Trials

These are real trial outcomes for clients Eric Johnson has represented in Louisiana courts.

Each of these clients faced a charge that could have defined the rest of their lives, and each one walked out of court instead. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.

Sex Crime Charges We Defend in Bossier City

Louisiana law covers sexual assault under more than one statute, and the charge written on your paperwork matters. We defend the full range of these charges for clients in Bossier City and throughout Bossier Parish, including:

• Rape
• Sexual battery
• Molestation of a juvenile
• Carnal knowledge of a juvenile
• Indecent behavior with a juvenile
• Failure to register as a sex offender

Whatever charge you are facing, the first conversation about it should be with a lawyer, not a detective. A registration violation on an old case gets treated as a brand-new crime, so even a paperwork mistake deserves a real look.

What a Conviction Actually Costs You

A sexual battery conviction under Louisiana law can mean up to 10 years in prison, and the law does not allow parole, probation, or a suspended sentence for any part of that time. But if the victim is under 13 and the offender is 17 or older, the sentence jumps to 25 to 99 years, with at least 25 years that cannot be reduced by parole, probation, or a suspended sentence (La. R.S. 14:43.1).

Rape and molestation of a juvenile cover a wide range of sentences, and the range depends on the exact charge. Some forms of rape carry as little as 5 years, while the most serious form (first degree rape) carries mandatory life in prison. Molestation of a juvenile usually runs 5 to 20 years, but if the child is under 13, the sentence jumps to a range of 25 years to life.

These are not maximums that judges rarely use. They are the floor the law sets once a jury convicts.

The Registry, and What Else a Conviction Touches

Prison is only part of it. A conviction almost always means registering as a sex offender, and Louisiana ties the length of that registration to the charge, running 15 years for some offenses, 25 years for others, and life for the most serious. Your name, photo, and home address go on a public registry that employers, landlords, and neighbors can search in seconds. Louisiana also restricts where a registered offender can live and work, so a conviction can cost you your home and your job at the same time.

Custody of your own children can be affected before you are ever convicted of anything. Any professional license you hold can be suspended on the accusation alone. And if you are not a U.S. citizen, a conviction can trigger deportation no matter how long you have lived here.

This information reflects Louisiana law as of July 2026.

Sexual Assault Defense Questions From Bossier City Clients

Have you actually won sex crime cases at trial, not just settled them?

Yes. Eric Johnson has taken clients to trial on aggravated rape and molestation of a juvenile charges and won both, with a jury finding them not guilty. He does not treat every case as if it has to end in a plea.

What does it cost to hire a lawyer for a sexual assault charge?

Every case is different, and the fee depends on the charge and how much work the defense requires. Contact us for a consultation and we will walk you through the cost before you decide anything.

Do I need a lawyer if I have only been questioned, not arrested?

Yes. Police often build a sex crime case around what someone says before charges are ever filed. Anything you say to a detective can be used against you later, so talk to a lawyer first.

Will I have to register as a sex offender if I am convicted?

In most sex crime convictions in Louisiana, yes, and registration can last 15 years, 25 years, or life depending on the charge. Avoiding a conviction is generally the only way to avoid registration entirely.

What court will hear my case if I am charged in Bossier Parish?

Sex crime charges in Bossier Parish are handled by the 26th Judicial District Court at the Bossier Parish Courthouse, 204 Burt Blvd, Benton. Eric Johnson has tried felony cases in Bossier Parish courts, including a bench trial that ended in a not guilty verdict.

Can a sexual assault charge be reduced or dismissed before trial?

Sometimes. It depends on the evidence, the accuser’s statement, and how the investigation was handled. We review the police report and other evidence for problems, because the state has to prove its case, and it rarely does so perfectly.

Fighting for You When You Need It the Most

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Talk to Eric Johnson Before You Talk to Anyone Else

A sexual assault accusation moves fast, and the state starts building its case the moment someone makes a report. Detectives and investigators may reach out to question you, but anything you say can be used to construct a prosecution narrative. The sooner Eric Johnson reviews the specific allegations you are facing, the more strategic options you have. That makes it much harder for the state to build a case around silence and assumptions.

We understand the fear and high stakes of a sex crime accusation, and we are prepared to evaluate your situation honestly. Contact our Bossier City sexual assault defense attorney today to schedule a confidential consultation about your case and begin building your defense.