North Carolina Indecent Liberties With a Minor Lawyer

North Carolina Indecent Liberties With a Minor Attorney

A charge of engaging in inappropriate behavior with a child has the power to cause untold devastation to every aspect of your life. Sometimes, an accusation alone can be enough to permanently damage your reputation, affect your job opportunities, hurt your social standing, and even impact your personal relationships. If police charge you with such a crime, you need to reach out to a skilled North Carolina indecent liberties with a minor lawyer at The W. James Payne Law Firm as soon as possible.

Indecent Liberties With a Child in North Carolina

While an accusation of taking indecent liberties with a child can be enough to cause you a great deal of stress and anxiety, a conviction can lead to devastating consequences. The last thing you want is to have such an egregious mark on your record. An experienced federal Criminal defense lawyer can help you approach your case with logic and facts. They can help you build a strong defense strategy and make sure you are not taken advantage of by the police.

The act of taking indecent liberties with a child is roughly defined as willfully intending to commit lewd or indecent acts upon a minor under the age of sixteen. According to North Carolina state law, there are essentially three distinct charges that are directly related to indecent liberties with a child:

• Adults who take indecent liberties with a child
• Children who take indecent liberties with other children
• Teachers who take indecent liberties with their students

For a prosecutor to pursue a valid case against you, they don’t even have to prove that sexual contact even took place. If there is enough evidence against you, they may be able to seek a conviction based solely on sexually graphic chats with a minor or other behavior that merely demonstrates a sexual desire towards a minor.

The penalty for a conviction of indecent liberties with a child will depend on the exact nature of your charge. In most cases, you could be looking at a Class F felony, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 41 months, a great deal of probation, and even more if you are a repeat offender.

What to Do If You Are Arrested

When you are arrested for indecent liberties with a minor, it can feel overwhelming. The moment the handcuffs are slapped on your wrists, you may feel like your case is already over. That may not necessarily be the case, and you should never stop fighting for your innocence. Remember that you are always innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, regardless of the crime of which you are being accused or the evidence against you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself at all times.

Remember that you are afforded certain constitutional rights that cannot be infringed upon. Those rights include your guaranteed right to legal counsel and your right to remain silent should you so choose. The police may try to guilt or intimidate you into admitting something that could help their case. They may not have as much evidence as they’ve led you to think, and they may be counting on your confession.

FAQs

What Is Indecent Exposure to a Minor in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a case of indecent exposure to a minor occurs when somebody who is a legal adult exposes their genitals to a minor under the age of 16 with the intention of sexual arousal or gratification. Such a crime is considered a Class H felony in North Carolina, which carries with it a potential jail sentence of 30 days, community service, probation, a fine of up to $1,000, and being added to the sex offender registry.

What Are Indecent Liberties with a Student in North Carolina?

Indecent liberties with a student in North Carolina is a felony charge that occurs when a teacher takes sexual advantage of one of their students. This behavior can be any number of situations, including lewd acts like inappropriate touching or photographing or inducing a student to commit lewd acts themselves. Indecent liberties with a student is a Class I felony in North Carolina, which could result in a lengthy prison sentence and registering as a sex offender.

Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Your Case?

The primary reason you should hire a lawyer to represent you after being charged with indecent liberties with a minor is to ensure that you are able to salvage your reputation and come back from such a charge. There is a decent chance that you could already be vilified in the court of public opinion. When you hire a lawyer and actively fight the charges, it can help convince friends and family of your innocence. Your lawyer knows the most effective way to help you.

What Is a Possible Defense Against Indecent Liberties with a Minor?

When it comes to an accusation or charge of indecent liberties with a minor, it is imperative that you and your lawyer devise a strong defense strategy. Depending on the evidence that may be against you, building a defense may not be easy. Some of the potential defenses you may be able to claim include:

• The minor is exaggerating or lying about what happened.
• The minor is being influenced by other adults seeking to ruin your reputation.
• The minor may have a behavior disorder.

Get Help With Your Indecent Liberties with a Minor Case

When it comes to sex crimes, particularly sex crimes against children, it can be hard to salvage your reputation and social standing. A conviction has the power to shatter your life, and you should do whatever you can to prevent that from happening. Hiring an experienced sex crime lawyer to help you establish a defense and fight for your innocence can really make all the difference.

The legal team at W. James Payne Law Firm understands how devastating these charges can be, and we are prepared to help you fight them. We can build up your case, gather evidence that supports you, and make sure your interests are protected. Contact us to speak with a team member about your case.