What a Fishers Child Molestation Attorney Can Do for Your Case
An accusation like this can turn your life upside down before you get a chance to explain. Your job, your family, and years of your future can be at stake at once.
A Fishers child molestation lawyer at The Criminal Defense Team can help you respond with a plan instead of guesswork. Attorney Andrew J. Baldwin has practiced criminal defense in Indiana since the 1990s and has been certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 2008.
Reach out for a free first conversation. What you tell us is kept private.
| CRIMINAL TRIAL SPECIALIST, NATIONAL BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCACY, SINCE 2008 | PRACTICING CRIMINAL DEFENSE SINCE THE 1990S | OFFICES IN FRANKLIN, INDIANAPOLIS & NOBLESVILLE |
|---|
Charges Covered Under Indiana’s Child Molesting Law
Indiana Code § 35-42-4-3 defines child molesting. Sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child under 14 is a Level 3 felony. Fondling or touching with intent to arouse is a Level 4 felony.
Some facts make the charge more serious. Sexual conduct with a child under 14 becomes a Level 1 felony if the accused is 21 or older. It also becomes Level 1 if the accused uses deadly force or a deadly weapon, the child is seriously hurt or secretly drugged, or the accused knowingly passes on a serious sexually transmitted disease. Fondling becomes a Level 2 felony only if deadly force, a deadly weapon, or a secret drug is involved. Age alone does not raise a fondling charge.
We also help clients facing related charges such as child seduction and child solicitation.
What a Child Molesting Conviction Can Cost You
A Level 3 felony conviction carries three to 16 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 under Indiana Code § 35-50-2-5. A Level 1 felony carries 20 to 40 years. If the accused is 21 or older or the child is seriously hurt, the range is 20 to 50 years.
Beyond prison time, a conviction brings mandatory sex offender registration, often for life, along with limits on where you can live and work.
The Team Behind Your Fishers Child Molestation Defense
Andrew J. Baldwin is admitted to practice in Indiana and in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. He has taught at the Trial Practice Institute and was president of the Johnson County Bar Association in 2013.
In one Indiana jury trial on sexual battery charges, Baldwin and co-counsel Kathie A. Perry won a not guilty verdict. The defense argued that the accusers had reason to lie. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
The firm uses a team model, so a case usually gets review from more than one lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer right away if I’m under investigation in Fishers?
Yes. Anything you say to a Fishers police detective or a Department of Child Services investigator can become evidence, and charges can follow weeks later. Getting an attorney involved before you speak with investigators can help you decide how to respond.
Where will my case be heard if I’m charged in Hamilton County?
Felony child molesting cases are heard at the Hamilton County Courts, 1 Hamilton County Square in Noblesville. The judge and court assigned to your case can shape how pretrial motions unfold.
How much does hiring a child molestation defense lawyer cost?
The cost depends on the felony level charged and how much forensic evidence needs review. We offer a free consultation, so you can learn about fees before you commit to anything.
Can a child molestation charge be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes. Charges can be reduced or dismissed when witness statements are inconsistent or forensic evidence does not hold up. Every case turns on its own facts.
Why Waiting to Call a Fishers Child Molestation Lawyer Can Cost You
Investigators may keep building their case while you wait. Talking to a lawyer early can help you plan your next steps.Andrew J. Baldwin and his colleagues at The Criminal Defense Team have defended people accused of serious sex crimes in courtrooms across Indiana.
Contact The Criminal Defense Team today to schedule a free consultation.