Carmel Sexual Misconduct With a Minor Attorney
If you are looking for a Carmel sexual misconduct with a minor lawyer, then you may be dealing with one of Indiana’s most severe felony charges. Sex misconduct with a minor is a felony that comes with hefty criminal penalties, mandatory registration requirements, and damage to your reputation that could last a lifetime.
There is nothing more serious than a sex crime case in Hamilton County, and our prosecutors take them very seriously. Your defense strategy should begin as soon as you know an investigation has been started, and it should always be proactive and ready for trial.
About The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C.
At Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C., we defend individuals charged with serious felonies all over Hamilton County and Central Indiana. Our lawyers routinely practice at the Hamilton County Judicial Center, 1 Hamilton County Square, Noblesville, which is minutes from Carmel.
We have five Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. There are only six Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists in the state of Indiana, and five are all at our firm. While not all of our attorneys have board certification, we have five who do. This level of Board-Certified* lawyers within a single firm demonstrates that we are a law firm built for the intense trials that matter most.
Each case is assigned to a team of two attorneys and one paralegal. This allows us to divide and conquer large amounts of discovery, evaluate forensic digital evidence, and collaborate on strategy. We also have a former prosecutor who worked major felony and homicide cases. We know how the state investigates these cases and what they look for. Altogether, we have over 100 years of criminal trial experience that we bring to each client.
Indiana Sexual Misconduct With a Minor Laws
According to the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide, 1 out of every 4 girls and 1 out of every 6 boys is sexually abused. Additionally, 1 in 5 children are sexually solicited online.
According to Indiana Code § 35-42-4-9, the crime of sexual misconduct with a minor involves sexual contact or intercourse with anyone under 16. Depending on the ages involved and the specific conduct alleged, sexual misconduct with a minor can carry different penalties.
The degree of sexual misconduct with a minor determines the felony level. The offense is typically either a Level 5 felony or a Level 4 felony. Under certain circumstances, the offense is elevated to a Level 1 felony. Aggravating factors can significantly increase the likelihood of a prison sentence. In addition to jail or prison and probation, you will be required to register as a sex offender.
Sexual Misconduct With a Minor Cases
In many sexual misconduct with a minor cases, the initial allegation comes from a parent, school official, or someone else. Often, allegations stem from someone finding messages on your phone or in your social media account. The police will likely come to your home to investigate and request search warrants for your phone and accounts.
Technology and cell phones are key in these investigations. Police can review messages, Facebook conversations, pictures, metadata, timestamps, and location information. Using digital forensics software, they can obtain information going back months or years. Digital evidence is rarely simple. People fail to include context in their conversations. Screenshots don’t always show previous conversations.
Tone is frequently misinterpreted. Our job is to review the process through which the state obtained evidence. Sexual misconduct with a minor cases are emotionally charged. Consequently, prosecutors often construct a narrative that resonates with jurors. The defense needs to do more than just address the legal requirements. It must also scrutinize the evidence and expose any credibility concerns.
Consequences of a Sexual Misconduct With a Minor Conviction
Sexual misconduct with a minor convictions have lifelong consequences. Judges may sentence you to:
- Prison time based on the level of felony
- Sex Offender Registration
- Tight probation conditions
- Limits on where you can work and live
Sex offender registration affects more than just wearing a label. It will restrict where you can live, work, and travel. You could lose your professional license. Sexual misconduct with a minor convictions can ruin relationships and reputations. Due to the serious nature of these consequences, having experienced legal representation is crucial from the beginning stages of your case.
What to Do if You Have Been Charged with Sexual Misconduct With a Minor in Carmel
The first thing you should do if you find yourself charged with sexual misconduct with a minor is to protect your rights. You should never speak to the police without an attorney present. Even informal conversations can be reduced to writing and used against you. If you are questioned, politely inform the officer that you will not answer questions without an attorney.
Second, save any evidence that you may have. This includes text messages, emails, photographs, and social media accounts. Do not delete anything. Deleting information can cause you further legal issues, and judges do not look kindly upon that type of behavior. Inform your attorney about any phones or messages you have so they can review them.
If you are released on bond, obey any and all conditions set by the judge. When we deal with cases in front of the Hamilton County Judicial Center, judges typically include no-contact orders and limit your access to the internet. Failure to comply could result in your bond being revoked or even new charges. You should not be discussing the details of your case with anyone but your attorney.
Hire a Sexual Misconduct With a Minor Lawyer
Similar to how you wouldn’t just hire any doctor for your medical issues and you would hire a specialist, you would do the same for your legal issues. You should seek legal counsel at the first sign of an investigation or charge. A lot of people think that they can just go down to the police station to clear up a misunderstanding. Sadly, that’s not how it goes, and anything you disclose could make things worse for you.
An attorney can speak with law enforcement on your behalf, advise you on your rights if you are going to be interviewed, and help preserve any evidence that may be favorable to you. Remember, prosecutors will be reviewing evidence as soon as it is turned over by the police. You can do the same when you hire a sexual misconduct with a minor lawyer.
In Indiana, there are only six Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists in the whole state, and we employ five of them at our firm. Contact us today for a consultation with one of our exceptional attorneys at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C.
*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.