Sex Crime Lawyer in Carmel, IN
A sex crime investigation may begin before arrest. Police may ask to interview someone or seek warrants to examine electronic messages or search a cell phone or other device. A Carmel sex crime attorney can represent someone during an investigation or after charges have been filed. The attorney can also analyze the evidence against you and determine whether the facts support each element of the offense.
Built for High-Stakes Criminal Defense
At The Criminal Defense Team, our attorneys have over 100 years of collective experience. Cases are prepared collaboratively. At least two attorneys and a paralegal are assigned to every case so multiple professionals examine the evidence and brainstorm about strategy.
There are only six Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists in Indiana. Five work at The Criminal Defense Team, among our other attorneys. If you are facing a serious criminal charge, choosing a Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialist is similar to seeking a medical specialist when you have a serious health issue.
Understanding Sex Crime Charges in Indiana
Indiana’s sex crime laws do not address one general category of sexual offenses. Instead, Indiana Code Chapter 35-42-4 addresses multiple offenses. This includes:
- Rape
- Molestation
- Child solicitation
- Sexual battery
- Sexual misconduct with a minor
Sexual abuse accounted for 2.5% of federal crimes in Indiana, according to the US Sentencing Commission. One person was sentenced for obscenity/other sexual offenses, while sixteen people were sentenced for federal sexual abuse in the fiscal year 2025. Nineteen others received sentences for child pornography.
The issues vary considerably among those offenses. During a rape trial, for example, the prosecution must prove allegations related to force, awareness, or capacity to consent. Sexual battery covers certain prohibited touches that are performed for the purposes of sexual gratification either by force or without the consent of the other party. This includes those who cannot legally consent, such as those who are mentally incapacitated.
Minors
Cases that include minors raise different issues. For instance, child molestation typically entails illicit sexual acts with someone under 14. Sexual misconduct with a minor covers certain offenses that involve older minors. Child solicitation includes communicating with someone and requesting prohibited sexual activity. Text messages, social media conversations, dating-app exchanges, or other electronic evidence could play a key role in the prosecution’s case.
Sex Crime Penalties
Penalties depend on the offense and its felony level. For instance, rape is generally considered a Level 3 felony, but sex crime laws allow prosecutors to seek a Level 1 felony under specified circumstances. In certain circumstances, child molestation may be prosecuted as a Level 3 or even a Level 1 felony. Indiana law sets different sentencing ranges for each felony level.
For example, a Level 3 felony is punishable by three to 16 years in prison and a Level 1 felony by 20 to 40 years. Convictions also trigger collateral consequences like sex-offender registration requirements. You may be required to register, which is public information. Additionally, in some cases, those convicted must remain on the registry for life. Your reputation, employment opportunities, housing options, and professional licenses could also be affected.
For instance, if you are listed on the sex offender registry, you may have restrictions on where you can legally live. Some employers generally may not hire those with a sex crime conviction, particularly in professions involving minors. Carmel charges may be prosecuted through the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center located at 1 Hamilton County Square, Noblesville, IN 46060.
Hire a Sex Crime Attorney
If you want to hire a sex crime attorney with experience handling these types of cases, legal representation can begin before charges are filed. A Carmel sex crime lawyer can speak with police when appropriate, advise you about interviews, review search warrants, protect evidence that may favor your side of the story, and start investigating what happened.
Once charges are filed, your lawyer can review discovery, analyze witness testimony and forensic evidence, identify constitutional issues, file motions before trial, review plea offers, and prepare for trial if necessary.
FAQs
Q: Can I Be Charged With a Sex Crime Based on Someone’s Statement?
A: Yes, you can be charged with a sex crime based on someone’s statement. Indiana law does not typically require physical or forensic evidence before a sex crime charge is filed or a conviction is obtained. Testimony can be evidence. That said, prosecutors still have the burden of proving every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. So, if there are inconsistencies in the accuser’s statement or if evidence contradicts it, this can help your case.
Q: Should I Talk to Police if I Know I Am Innocent?
A: It is not necessarily recommended that you talk to the police even if you know you are innocent. This is because any statements you make can be used against you in court. If you do make a statement, we recommend that you do so with your lawyer present. By speaking with an attorney before agreeing to an interview, you can learn about your rights and the possible consequences of making a statement.
Q: Can Sex Crime Charges Be Dropped if the Accuser Recants?
A: A sex crime charge is not automatically dropped if the accuser recants. Once charges are filed, the prosecutor decides whether to continue with the prosecution. A changed statement may raise credibility or evidentiary issues, but prosecutors weigh the other evidence they have when making their decision. Counsel can investigate the original allegation, the recantation, and the events leading up to both.
Q: Can I Contact the Person Who Accused Me of a Sex Crime?
A: Whether or not you can contact the person who accused you of a sex crime depends on the circumstances of your case. If you have a protective order against you, you are likely not going to be able to contact your accuser. Also, even if you are allowed to legally contact them, it is not recommended that you do so, especially to discuss your case, as it can be seen as witness tampering or intimidation.
Reach Out to Us Today
If you have been charged with a sex crime, The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C. can help. Among our attorneys are five of the six Board-Certified* attorneys in the state. We can inform you of your rights and advocate for you in court. Contact us today for more information.
*Andrew Baldwin, Kathie Perry, Maxwell Wiley, Kelly Pyle, and Michael C. Cunningham are Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists, as certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Find out why having a Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialist as your defense lawyer is important here.