Have You Been Charged With Enticing A Child for Indecent Purposes?

Being falsely accused of a sex crime involving a child can have devastating, life-altering consequences for anyone unfortunate enough to be charged with such an offense. Not only does a conviction for enticing a child for indecent purposes bring the possibility of a lengthy prison term, it also has the power to destroy a person's reputation within their community. Furthermore, living life as a registered sex offender severely curtails the places in which a person can live, work, or even visit.

Everyone has the right to a strong legal defense no matter what the accusations or charges. Kimberly Berry is an experienced Atlanta attorney dedicated to getting justice to her clients. As a lawyer who has represented many defendants who have been unfairly accused of crimes, she will listen to your side of the story with an open mind. Then, she will aggressively defend your rights and pursue justice in the courtroom.

Definition of Enticing A Child for Indecent Purposes

The Georgia statute on enticing a child for indecent purposes (O.C.G.A. 16-6-5) states that a person has committed this crime when “he or she solicits, entices, or takes any child under the age of 16 years to any place whatsoever for the purpose of child molestation or indecent acts.”

While this crime is often charged alongside other offenses, such as child molestation, it is not necessary for “child molestation or indecent acts” to have actually occurred to be guilty of this crime. Merely moving the child from one place to another for the purpose of committing such acts is enough to warrant a guilty verdict. Furthermore, it is not necessary that any force or threats be utilized to move the child. The statute specifies that the offender is guilty if he or she merely “solicits, entices, or takes” a victim to another location for indecent purposes.

Punishments For Enticing A Child for Indecent Purposes

The penalty for enticing a child for indecent purposes is imprisonment for a term of 10 to 30 years. A conviction for this crime is considered a felony and carries with it mandatory registration as a sex offender.

However, if the victim is at least 14 and less than 16 years old and the offender is 18 years old or younger and no more than 4 years older than the victim, the crime is considered to be a misdemeanor.

Why Do I Need a Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer?

Being wrongly charged with a crime, especially one related to the sexual abuse of a child, can be a deeply stressful, frightening experience. Those who sexually abuse children are pariahs in the eyes of society – and rightfully so. However, there are numerous cases in which false allegations have been made, especially in cases involving messy divorces and custody battles. Whatever the circumstances of your case, if you have been falsely accused of enticing a child for indecent purposes, it is critical that you have an advocate to protect your interests as early in the legal process as possible. Call the Berry Law Group today and begin proactively fighting for yourself. Kimberly will walk you through your options and devise the best path forward for you and your family.