Indianapolis Child Solicitation Attorney
Sex crimes involving children are serious offenses with penalties that include confinement in prison and mandatory registration as a sex offender upon release. Child solicitation charges can result from online communications, undercover investigations, or sexting stings. If you have been accused of soliciting a child for sexual favors, you can rely on an Indianapolis child solicitation lawyer to protect your rights and seek a favorable outcome to your case.
About Us
Indiana’s criminal courts do not show leniency to anyone convicted of a sex crime. When you work with the dedicated team of attorneys at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C., you gain the unwavering support of a team that includes a former prosecutor and five Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists. Your freedom is too important to leave to chance, just as your health would be too important to trust to an unproven physician.
When you work with our award-winning law firm, you are assigned at least two attorneys and a paralegal. Our defense lawyers work collaboratively, meaning you benefit from our collective courtroom experience of over 100 years. To better serve our clients, we are available 24/7 to answer your questions and address any concerns. Trust our trial-ready attorneys to provide you with the strongest chance of beating your charges.
Understanding Child Solicitation Charges in Indiana
In Indianapolis, 24% of the population is under the age of 18, which is one reason why law enforcement remains vigilant against sex crimes. An arrest for child solicitation can happen in Broad Ripple, Fountain Square, Irvington, or elsewhere in Indianapolis.
Under Indiana law, child solicitation generally involves knowingly or intentionally enticing, encouraging, or requesting a minor to engage in sexual conduct. An arrest may result from law enforcement obtaining copies of text messages or social media messages, or from testimony from a child.
Physical contact is not required for someone to be charged with child solicitation. It is common for law enforcement to obtain a warrant to seize phones, computers, and digital storage devices. Suspects are typically taken to Marion County Jail at 40 South Missouri Street for booking and processing.
Effective Defense Strategies for Beating Child Solicitation Charges
The right defense strategy can protect you from becoming one of the roughly 49,000 inmates serving time in Indiana. One approach could involve focusing on whether the prosecution can tie the electronic messages to you. If the messages came from a computer that multiple people could access, that could cast doubt on the state’s narrative of events.
Another strategy could focus on the language of the messages and whether they were misinterpreted. Any steps your attorney takes that chip away at the prosecution’s case could lead to a favorable outcome in your case that protects your freedom.
Why You Should Hire a Child Solicitation Lawyer
The crime rate in Indianapolis is 23.71 per 1,000 residents, meaning many people are arrested every year for a wide range of offenses, including sex crimes. If you are facing child solicitation charges, your future could depend on your decision to hire a child solicitation lawyer. Legal representation can play a critical role in shaping the outcome of your child solicitation charge.
An Indianapolis child solicitation attorney understands Indiana’s child solicitation laws and how they apply to your case. An attorney can carefully review the evidence to find weaknesses in the state’s case that could support your defense. Lawyers are skilled investigators and negotiators who understand criminal law and how to prevent prosecutors from meeting their burden of proof.
FAQs
Q: What Elements Must Be Proven in an Indianapolis Child Solicitation Case?
A: For someone to be found guilty of child solicitation, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly or intentionally solicited a minor to engage in sexual conduct. The state must establish the age of the alleged minor and demonstrate that the intent behind the communication was to solicit sexual favors. These elements must be proven through evidence.
Q: Is Child Solicitation a Felony in Indiana?
A: Yes, child solicitation is charged as a felony in Indiana. Sex crimes involving children are serious offenses that can lead to life-altering consequences. The level of the felony may depend on factors such as the minor’s age. While a misdemeanor conviction could lead to probation or time in jail, a felony conviction can carry mandatory minimum sentences and potentially years or decades in prison.
Q: Can Online Messages Alone Lead to Child Solicitation Charges?
A: Yes, online messages can provide sufficient evidence for a child solicitation charge. This crime does not require the suspect to meet the child in person. If law enforcement finds probable cause that someone has solicited a child or someone they believed to be a child for sexual acts, that can lead to an arrest and the filing of criminal charges.
Q: What Penalties Can Follow a Child Solicitation Conviction?
A: Anyone convicted of soliciting a child for sexual favors can face serious penalties, including confinement in prison and heavy fines. After release, the convicted person would be required to register as a sex offender. This can lead to restrictions on where they work and live. Convicted sex offenders must follow strict rules or face being rearrested and charged with a new offense.
Choose a Defense Team With Proven Trial Experience
Facing serious criminal charges can be an unsettling and isolating experience. When you work with The Criminal Defense Team, you gain the support of advocates who understand the law and how to protect your rights. Our team includes five Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists. That exceptional level of training can directly support your defense.
You should not risk your future and freedom on unproven legal counsel. To date, Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C. has helped over 1,000 defendants secure favorable outcomes in their cases, including dropped charges and acquittals at trial. To learn how we can help you avoid the consequences of a conviction, contact our office today. With an experienced lawyer on your side, your chances of success are improved.
*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.