Sex crime charges are taken very seriously in the state of Indiana, and a conviction could lead to serious penalties that affect you for the rest of your life. Law enforcement officials do not require a great deal of evidence to make an arrest. Unfortunately, this can lead to numerous innocent individuals being accused of a crime that they did not commit.
Even if you are innocent, the stigma that is attached to individuals accused of sex crimes can be devastating, making it even more important to secure experienced and knowledgeable legal assistance.
At Wruble Law LLC, our lead criminal defense lawyer Stan Wruble has two decades of combined legal experience, and our goal is to defend your rights, freedom, and reputation against these allegations. Contact us today for your complimentary review.
What Is A Sex Crime In Indiana?
A sex crime refers to a criminal offense that involves non-consensual or illegal sexual activity. These crimes encompass a wide range of offenses under Indiana Code 35-42-4, including but not limited to:
- Sexual Assault
- Rape
- Sexual Abuse
- Child Molestation
- Child Exploitation
- Child Solicitation
- Child Seduction
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution-Related Offenses
- Possession or Distribution of Child Pornography
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor
- Sexual Battery
- Unlawful Misconduct of a Registered Sex Offender
Sex crimes are considered serious offenses due to their violation of personal boundaries, and consent, and often causing physical and emotional harm to the victims. While laws regarding sex crimes vary across the United States, they generally aim to protect individuals from sexual misconduct and attempt to provide justice for victims.
Penalties Of Being Convicted For A Sex Crime In Indiana
As the type of punishment hinges on the specific crime the individual was convicted of, the penalties for sex crimes vary. Generally, almost all sex crimes are considered felonies of varying severity and will likely receive imprisonment. Additionally, on top of jail or prison time, judges can add additional fines of up to $10,000.
Here are the penalties for being convicted of a sex crime in Indiana:
- Level 1: Upon conviction of a Level 1 felony, an individual can receive 20 to 40 years of incarceration, with the advisory sentence being at least 30 years. Aggravated rape with deadly force is an example of a sex crime that can be charged as a Level 1 felony.
- Level 2: If an individual is convicted of a Level 2 felony, they can receive 10 to 30 years imprisonment, with the advisory sentence being at least 17.5 years. Child sex trafficking is an example of a sex crime that can be charged as a Level 2 felony.
- Level 3: Individuals can receive 3 to 16 years imprisonment after being convicted of a Level 3 felony, with the advisory sentence being 9 years. Child molestation and rape are examples of sex crimes that can be charged as a Level 3 felony.
- Level 4: If an individual is charged with a Level 4 felony, they can receive 2 to 12 years imprisonment, with an advisory sentence being 6 years in Indiana statute. Vicarious sexual gratification is an example of a sex crime that can be charged as a Level 4 felony.
- Level 5: Individuals can receive 1 to 6 years imprisonment after being convicted of a Level 5 felony, with the advisory sentence for the crime being 3 years. Depending on the age of the convicted person, child solicitation can be charged as a Level 5 felony.
- Level 6: Individuals can receive sentences of 6 months up to 2.5 years imprisonment if convicted of a Level 6 felony, with the advisory sentence being 1 year. An example of a sex crime that can be charged as a Level 6 felony includes unlawful employment of a sexual predator.
If a sex offender is found in violation of their parole or probation or is inappropriately talking to a child, they will typically receive a Class A misdemeanor.
The Importance of Hiring an Experienced Indianapolis Sex Crime Lawyer
Due to IC 11-8-2-12.4, every person that is convicted of a sex crime is required to register as a sex offender with law enforcement agencies on the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry. This information is public and is oftentimes never erased.
The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry informs visitors to the site from all over the world the following information:
- Name and Known Aliases
- Home and Secondary Residences Addresses
- Work or Volunteerism Addresses
- Age
- Physical Description
- Recent Photograph
- Charges and Description of Offense
- Case Number
At a minimum, individuals convicted of a sex crime will be on the registry for at least 10 years. Sometimes the individual is required to register on the sex offender registry for life.
Additionally, since 2006, individuals who are on a state-level sex registry are also added to the National Sex Offender Public Registry, which is also publicly accessible from anywhere someone has internet access. This registry is the only public sex offender registry that unifies state, territory, and tribal sex offender registries from around the country.
What Are The Consequences Of Being On The Sex And Violent Offender Registry In Indiana?
It should go without saying that having to register as a sex offender will have extremely negative long-term consequences on your professional career and your personal relationships. Besides being on the registry, a registered sex offender is required to give consent to law enforcement officers to allow them to search their computer or devices at any time.
Here are some of the detrimental ways that being a registered sex offender can harm the rest of your life:
- Strict Limitations On Where You Can Live: Not only does Indiana statute provide requirements of living specific distances away from schools, parks, and other public places, leasing companies will likely run background checks on you. Sometimes this will make it difficult to find a place to live.
- Strict Limitations On Where You Can Work: Individuals are not allowed to work at or in close proximity to schools, parks, and places where other individuals frequent.
- Reporting If You Moved Homes or Jobs Within 72 Hours: To keep an individual’s sex offender registration listing current, they must communicate address changes to their local county sheriff’s office within 72 hours.
However, in a victory for religious freedoms, Indiana courts ruled that individuals are allowed to exercise their religious right to attend an in-person worship service, even if they are a registered sex offender.
So one of our top priorities is to help keep you off of the sex offender registry. At Wruble Law LLC, our Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer will do the following:
- Thoroughly examine all facts and evidence pertaining to your particular case,
- Find inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case,
- Put forth all our effort into obtaining the result that will fit the circumstances of your case – whether it is lessening the charges, having them dropped altogether, or even getting a not guilty verdict before a jury.
Why Choose The Indianapolis Sex Crime Attorney From Wruble Law LLC?
Stan Wruble and the Wruble Law LLC team possess the experience necessary to lead a strong defense in sex crime cases. When defending against such charges, our approach focuses on thorough investigation, careful analysis of evidence, and strategic defense strategies tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
Stan Wruble has experience working in the following sex crime charges, which encompass numerous actions, including:
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Prostitution
- Solicitation of a Sex Act
If you or a loved one are facing sex crime charges, by choosing Wruble Law LLC, you can have confidence in the dedication of the legal team supporting you. We always seek the best possible outcome for your case. So if you are in the Indianapolis, Indiana, or Monroe County area and need a sex crime attorney, call or book your consultation online. Initial consultations are always free – call (317)-308-8584 to get started.