Why You Need a Carmel Child Molestation Attorney Right Now
A child molestation accusation can end a marriage, a career, and a family’s standing in the community before anyone proves a single fact. Reputations can change overnight, and jobs can disappear before charges are even filed. You need someone who can slow the process down and start building an answer right away.
Our Carmel child molestation attorney at The Criminal Defense Team has taken sex crime accusations to jury verdicts across Indiana, including a not guilty verdict in a sexual battery trial and a not guilty verdict in a rape case in Huntington County. We prepare your case for a courtroom from day one, and a plea is only one possible path. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
Contact our office today to discuss your case.
| CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY SINCE THE 1990S | NBTA-CERTIFIED CRIMINAL TRIAL SPECIALIST SINCE 2008 | OFFICES IN FRANKLIN, INDIANAPOLIS & NOBLESVILLE |
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What a Child Molestation Conviction Could Cost You in Indiana
Under Indiana Code § 35-42-4-3, sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child under 14 is a Level 3 felony. If the person is 21 or older, it is a Level 1 felony. Fondling or touching with intent to arouse is a Level 4 felony.
A charge can move up if the state proves an added factor. A Level 1 child molesting conviction carries 20 to 40 years in prison. But the range is 20 to 50 years if the person is 21 or older or the child was seriously hurt (Indiana Code § 35-50-2-4).
Beyond prison time, a conviction requires registering as a sex offender. The usual registration period is 10 years. Some people must register for life, such as when the child was under 12 and the person was 18 or older.
Felony cases out of Carmel are heard in the Hamilton County Circuit or Superior Courts in Noblesville.
Types of Child Molestation Charges We Defend Against in Carmel
The exact charge often changes what the state must prove and how the defense responds. Our Carmel child molestation defense attorneys handle allegations across every level of this offense, including:
- Level 4 felony child molesting, involving fondling or touching with intent to arouse
- Level 3 felony child molesting, involving sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child under 14 by a person under 21
- Level 2 felony child molesting, involving fondling or touching, where the state alleges deadly force, a weapon, or drugging
- Level 1 felony child molesting, involving sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct, where the person is 21 or older, or the state alleges a weapon, serious injury, or drugging
- Attempted child molesting, including cases built mainly on messages before any physical contact is alleged
- Related charges such as sexual battery, child solicitation, or vicarious sexual gratification filed alongside a molestation count
Trial Results From Our Defense Team
Andrew J. Baldwin, co-counsel with attorney Kathie A. Perry, took a sexual battery case to trial and won a not guilty verdict after arguing to the jury that the accusers had a reason to lie. In a separate Huntington County case, Baldwin and attorney Kelly N. Pyle built a defense around casting doubt on the state’s DNA evidence. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on a rape charge.
Baldwin also served as co-counsel with attorney Maxwell B. Wiley in an Allen County murder case that ended in a jury acquittal in May 2025, later featured on the CBS series “48 Hours.” Baldwin has held NBTA Criminal Trial Specialist certification since 2008 and has taught at the Trial Practice Institute. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
What Sets Our Carmel Child Molestation Attorney Apart?
Andrew J. Baldwin has practiced criminal defense in Indiana since the 1990s. That experience shapes how he builds a case from the first phone call. He is admitted to practice in Indiana state courts and in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. That matters if an investigation involves federal charges, such as online enticement.
Baldwin earned his J.D. with Honors from the University of Akron School of Law and served as president of the Johnson County Bar Association in 2013. He is also a member of the Hamilton County Bar Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer if I have only been questioned, not charged, so far?
Yes. Once investigators start asking questions about a child molestation allegation, charges can follow. Speaking with an attorney before any interview helps protect your rights and keeps statements from being locked in too early.
Will my case be handled in Carmel City Court?
No. Felony child molestation charges are filed and tried in the Hamilton County Circuit or Superior Courts in Noblesville, not in Carmel City Court.
How long does the state have to file child molestation charges in Indiana?
For many Level 3 and Level 4 charges, Indiana law generally allows prosecution until the alleged victim turns 31. That time limit can be extended in some cases, such as when new DNA evidence, a recording, or a confession turns up. Level 1 and Level 2 charges can generally be filed at any time.
Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted?
A child molesting conviction requires registration on Indiana’s sex offender registry. Most people must register for 10 years. Some must register for life. Registration affects where you can live, work, and travel.
Can a child molestation charge be reduced or dismissed before trial?
It depends on the evidence, including forensic interviews, medical exams, and witness statements. Weaknesses in any of these can sometimes lead to a reduced charge or dismissal.
How much does hiring a child molestation defense attorney cost?
Cost depends on the charge level, the evidence involved, and how far the case goes. The Criminal Defense Team offers a free consultation, and we can walk through fees once we review your situation.
What should I avoid doing after learning about an accusation?
Avoid contacting the accuser, discussing the allegation on social media, or answering investigator questions without an attorney present. What you say early can often be used against you later, even if it seems harmless.
Contact Our Carmel Child Molestation Lawyer Now to Start Building Your Defense
The first days after an accusation surfaces often shape everything that follows, from what investigators collect to what a prosecutor decides to file. Talking with a lawyer early gives you more time to understand your options.
A Carmel child molestation attorney at The Criminal Defense Team can start reviewing what investigators have and where your case stands. Contact us today to talk through what you’re facing and what comes next.