When someone is charged with a crime against a child, it is one of the most serious and stigmatizing accusations that a person can face. Even if the person is never convicted, a simple accusation can result in reputational damage. If you have been charged with indecent liberties with a child, a Cary indecent liberties with a child lawyer at Granados Law Group can help you fight for your future. These crimes require legal assistance right away to protect your rights.
Reopened in 2023, Granados Law Group expands upon years of prior criminal defense experience. Before taking a career turn as a Wake County Domestic Violence prosecutor, attorney Lindsey Granados operated under the Granados Law Group name from 2008 to 2014. In that capacity, she learned firsthand how Wake County prosecutors approach a case, evaluate the evidence, and proceed with a trial. Since leaving the DA’s office, Attorney Granados has continued to vigorously defend her clients’ rights when they are charged with Indecent Liberties with a Child.
Granados Law Group defends the accused’s rights by drawing on this prosecutorial background. Although our practice is in Wake County, our legal team handles misdemeanor and felony cases as well as traffic infractions all over the county. These cases are typically held in the Wake County Justice Center located at 300 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.
In addition, we handle expungement requests in all North Carolina counties and represent clients in federal criminal cases in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
North Carolina General Statutes § 14-202.1 creates the offense of indecent liberties with a child. This law applies to any person who is 16 years of age or older and five or more years older than the victim, and who willfully takes or attempts to take indecent liberties with a child under 16 years of age for the purposes of arousal or sexual gratification.
This can include taking or attempting to take indecent liberties with a child or fondling or taking indecent liberties with a child’s body for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desires of either party.
Physical contact is not necessary to be charged and convicted of this offense. Language or actions that appear to express sexual intentions can lead to charges in some cases. Examples of NC Indecent Liberties convictions that have been upheld by the appellate courts include things like showing a child sexually explicit material, or even talking in a sexually explicit manner with a child. The law’s wide scope makes these cases hinge on interpretations and assessments of intent and believability.
If convicted, a person can be required to register as a sex offender for a term of 30 years, which could be reduced to 10 years with good behavior. The sex offender registry which is public information, will require you to register with the county sheriff where you live and check in with them periodically, and will come with restrictions that define where you can live, work, and even go during your free time. Indecent liberties with a Child is a Class F felony in North Carolina; depending on your prior record level, you could receive probation, a split sentence, or even active prison time It can also include lengthy mandatory post-release supervision (5 years) and large fines.
There are 28,164 registered offenders in North Carolina as of January 2025, including those who have been charged with indecent liberties with a child. This is a rate of 268 offenders per 100,000 state residents. In Wake County, there are 844 registered sex offenders.
Indecent liberties charges have several elements that the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, including intent, age elements, and that the alleged actions were unlawful. Typical defenses include:
The importance of carefully reviewing the facts and procedures in an indecent liberties with a child case is critical to reveal weaknesses and build a strong case in Cary, NC.
If you are under investigation or have been charged with indecent liberties with a child in Wake County, hire an indecent liberties with a child lawyer right away. You need an attorney who can provide distance between yourself and law enforcement and help you determine if you need to make a statement or remain silent. If you have already made a statement to a detective without consulting an attorney, you need a lawyer to review the interview process for mistakes and improper behavior, as well as attack evidence that is weak.
A Cary indecent liberties with a child attorney can thoroughly review your case to ensure the elements of the statute are truly satisfied. Defense lawyers can spot contradictions in testimonies and work to exclude evidence gathered through rights violations. Your lawyer can also help you avoid early mistakes, such as self-incrimination and missed deadlines. In some cases, where a lawyer is involved early enough, they can try to stop charges from even being filed. It is never too early to consult with a criminal defense attorney if there is even a hint of an allegation of Indecent Liberties with a Child! Retaining Granados Law Group in a pre-charge capacity can make the difference; we have helped prevent criminal charges in dozens of cases through the years.
Yes. A conviction for indecent liberties with a child will require mandatory registration on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. Registration can affect where you live, work, and travel for decades, significantly impacting your life. Defense teams work to eliminate or reduce registration repercussions as their primary objective in these cases.
Yes. Depending on the facts of the case, indecent liberties charges can be reduced or dismissed if the prosecution cannot prove the elements of intent, age requirements, or unlawful conduct. Weak or inconsistent evidence, improper investigative methods, or constitutional violations can also result in a dismissal or suppression of evidence. Each case needs to be thoroughly reviewed for possible defenses.
Yes. Simply being accused of a crime can affect family court proceedings, such as child custody or visitation, even if a criminal case has not been charged or resolved. Family courts are incredibly protective of a child’s safety and welfare and may place temporary restrictions in place to prevent contact between a parent and child based solely on criminal allegations or charges.
It is important that your criminal defense lawyer coordinate with your family law counsel to help protect your parental rights in the meantime. It is also quite common for the other parent to seek a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) on behalf of a minor child based on sexual assault or indecent liberties allegations. It is imperative that you talk about these proceedings with your criminal and family lawyer to determine how best to address this civil DVPO process.
Often, your criminal defense attorney may suggest that you consent to the DVPO to avoid a hearing where you would be required to take the state and make a statement on the record that could later be used against you in criminal court. It may be in your best interest to consent to the entry of the DVPO, which means you might not be able to have contact with your child for a lengthy period of time while criminal charges are pending. This is a very hard decision for most parents, and you should consult with both a criminal and family lawyer to make the best decision in your case that protects your rights and interests.
After an arrest for indecent liberties, the case moves forward to initial appearance, bond, and the court hearing process. The conditions of release may include posting a hefty monetary secured bond, requiring that you have no contact with certain individuals and could include travel restrictions. The defense lawyer can argue for a fair and reasonable bond and file motions to attack the charges at the earliest stage after arrest, allowing the preparation of a defense to begin as soon as possible.
Due to the seriousness of an Indecent Liberties charge, the case will typically be indicted to Superior Court by the prosecutor because the case cannot be handled in District Court due to its complexity and rules governing discovery. Indecent Liberties cases can take some time to resolve; sometimes they can be resolved in a few months, but more often than not, the time it takes from start to finish can exceed a year or more.
If you have been arrested for indecent liberties with a child, Granados Law Group can help fight for your future. Contact us today to begin protecting your rights.
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701 E Chatham St # 209, Cary, NC 27511
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