Anderson Sex Crime Attorneys

Sex crimes in Indiana are serious criminal charges entailing non-consensual sexual activity, abuse, or exploitation. Anyone accused of a sex crime in the Anderson area should be advised and defended by an Anderson sex crime lawyer at Beeman Heifner Benge P.A.

Indiana courts can penalize sex crime convictions with lengthy prison terms and court-ordered sex offender registration. Sex crimes in Indiana include rape, sexual battery, child molestation, child pornography, sexual misconduct, human trafficking, prostitution, and solicitation.

Indiana has no actual “sexual assault” law. Instead, the state outlaws specific sex crimes that are generally considered sexual assault, including rape, child molestation, and sexual battery. As of 2026, Indiana has more than 6,400 registered sex offenders.

How Are Convictions for Sex Crimes Penalized?

Indiana courts impose felony penalties on convicted rape, child molestation, and sexual battery offenders. If a weapon was used, a victim was drugged or injured, or a child was victimized, it is an aggravating circumstance that can increase the penalties for a sex crime conviction.

The specific penalties for a sex crime conviction depend on the offender’s previous convictions and the details of the crime:

1. Rape is a Level Three felony. It is punishable by a 3-to-16-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction. Rape with aggravating circumstances is a Level One felony; convictions can be penalized with 20-to-40-year prison sentences.
2. Sexual battery is a Level Six felony. It is punishable upon conviction with 6 to 30 months in state custody and a fine of up to $10,000. Aggravated sexual battery is a Level Four felony; convictions can be penalized with 2-to-12-year prison terms.
3. Child molestation and sexual misconduct laws are quite complicated in Indiana, but a conviction for either crime is a felony conviction punishable with a prison term and a costly fine.

What About Additional Consequences?

The penalties imposed by the court are not the only consequences of a conviction for a sex crime. The general public can access Indiana’s Sex and Violent Offender Registry, so a convicted sex offender may have trouble finding employment, locating housing, or obtaining a loan.

If you hold a professional license, your state professional licensing board may take disciplinary action after a sex crime conviction. If you are not a U.S. citizen, a sex crime conviction in Indiana may prompt a removal proceeding.

Sex crime victims may also sue convicted sex offenders in Indiana’s civil courts, so an offender may be ordered by a civil court to pay a victim for damages and losses.

How Will Beeman Heifner Benge P.A. Defend You?

If the prosecution’s criminal case against a defendant is inadequate or weak, an Anderson sex crime attorney at Beeman Heifner Benge P.A. can file a motion with the court to have the charge reduced or dismissed.

If the prosecution’s case is persuasive and a conviction is inevitable, an Anderson sex crime lawyer may negotiate a plea deal. In a typical plea bargain, a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge and receives reduced or alternative sentencing.

Together with your lawyer, consider any plea deal offer carefully. If you are not guilty, and you can prove it, insist on your right to a jury trial. If the case goes to court, your defense attorney can tell the jurors what actually happened and why you should be found not guilty.

What Defenses Can Be Offered?

If you are charged with a sex crime in the Anderson area, an Anderson sex crime attorney at Beeman Heifner Benge P.A. can prepare a defense strategy based on the specifics of the charge. The usual defenses offered in sex crime cases include:

1. The alleged victim gave consent. If the victim was disabled, incapacitated, a minor, or unable to consent due to drugs or alcohol, consent may not be accepted as a defense.
2. The claim is fabricated. False rape, sexual battery, and molestation accusations are made for several reasons and sometimes for no apparent reason. An ex-spouse may lie to gain an edge in a custody case, or a resentful teen may falsely accuse a stepparent.
3. The defendant is a victim of mistaken identity, and another person committed the crime.
4. If insanity is offered as a defense, the court may appoint one or more experts to examine the defendant. At least one expert must be a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Bring Your Case to Beeman Heifner Benge P.A.

If you are charged with a sex crime in Central Indiana, call the offices of Beeman Heifner Benge P.A. as quickly as possible. Our criminal defense lawyers bring their many years of hard-earned experience to every client and case.

The Indiana sex crime attorneys at Beeman Heifner Benge P.A. know that a sex crime conviction has serious consequences, so we are dedicated to providing the personal attention and effective representation you need. Our legal team works diligently for the justice our clients deserve.

If the authorities charge you with a sex crime in the Anderson area, now or in the future, you qualify for a free consultation and case evaluation. Call our law firm at 765-684-4355 to obtain the skilled, experienced legal help you need.