Indecent Liberties with a Child lawyer New Kent County, VA
It starts with a phone call you never expected — a detective from the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office asking you to come in and answer a few questions. The conversation is vague, but the phrase “indecent liberties” gets dropped, and suddenly your heart is pounding. You are not just a suspect. To the system, you are already a threat. Whether the accusation involves a misunderstanding, a false claim by an estranged family member, or something that happened through a mistake you cannot take back, one thing is clear: your freedom, your family, and your entire future are on the line. You need someone who understands how the Commonwealth’s Attorney approaches these cases in New Kent County, someone who can act before an arrest warrant is served. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to speak with Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel team about your situation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Strategy Options When You Are Under Investigation
Indecent liberties with a child investigations in New Kent County typically involve the Sheriff’s Office and, in many cases, Child Protective Services. Before charges are filed, there is often a window — sometimes hours, sometimes a few days — during which an experienced attorney can speak with investigators, present exculpatory information, and work to prevent a formal charge. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, knows exactly how law enforcement builds these cases and where the weaknesses often lie.
Once charges are filed under Va. Code § 18.2-370, the stakes become severe. The offense is a felony that carries significant prison time and mandatory sex offender registration if convicted. The defense strategy shifts: challenging forensic interviews of the child, evaluating credibility of witnesses, identifying procedural errors, and, when appropriate, negotiating a reduction that avoids registry-triggering outcomes. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel, including those who support sex crime defense, approach each New Kent County case by first asking one question: is there a path to resolution that protects your long-term interests?
What To Expect in New Kent County
If you are arrested, you will first appear at the New Kent County General District Court, located at 12001 Courthouse Circle. The court handles preliminary hearings for felony sex offense cases. Bond in sex crime cases is often contested, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney may argue for detention, especially if the alleged victim is a minor under 15. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel have experience advocating for reasonable bond conditions and have handled matters in this courthouse.
If the case is bound over to the Circuit Court, the process becomes lengthier. That court, at the same address, hears all felony trials. New Kent County Circuit Court matters can take months, largely because forensic interviews, DNA analysis, or digital evidence reviews can extend the timeline. You should expect pre-trial hearings, discovery exchanges, and the potential for a trial date set many months out. Throughout, your legal team will work to challenge the prosecution’s evidence, file appropriate motions, and prepare a defense grounded in the facts of your case.
Penalty Overview
A conviction for indecent liberties with a child under Va. Code § 18.2-370 is a Class 5 felony in Virginia. This category of felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment that, depending on the court’s sentence, can range from a relatively shorter period to a term of up to 10 years. The court has discretion, but any felony conviction will change your life. Beyond imprisonment, you will likely be required to register as a sex offender — a requirement that lasts for life under Virginia law for most sex felony convictions. That registry status follows you into every job application, every housing decision, and every community you call home. The legal team’s priority is to avoid that outcome, whether through acquittal, charge reduction to a non-registrable offense, or a negotiated plea that spares you from the registry.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced criminal defense since the firm’s founding in 1997. He is a former prosecutor who understands the investigative and charging decisions that shape sex crime cases from the first moment law enforcement gets involved. Mr. Sris is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His practice focuses on serious felony defense, and he leads the firm’s sex crime representation in New Kent County.
Working alongside Mr. Sris, the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional decades of experience to every case. The team includes attorneys who have challenged complex forensic evidence and served in prior roles that provide unique insight into how accusations develop. Collectively, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented firm-wide results to criminal defense matters. Results may vary.
Across all practice areas, the firm has documented 11 case results in New Kent County with favorable outcomes in all reported instances.
Source: Firm case records, verified as of 2026-02-15. New Kent County Circuit Court
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against indecent liberties with a child charges?
A strong defense examines the credibility of the accusation, the forensic interview process, and any procedural missteps. In New Kent County, experienced counsel will review whether the child’s statements were properly obtained, whether there is a motive to fabricate, and whether any physical evidence contradicts the claim. If law enforcement violated your rights during the investigation, a motion to suppress evidence may be filed. The goal is to undermine the prosecution’s case at every stage, beginning with the preliminary hearing at the General District Court.
What should I do if I am facing indecent liberties with a child charges in Virginia?
Contact a sex crimes attorney immediately and refrain from discussing the allegations with anyone except your lawyer. Do not post about the case on social media. Do not try to speak with the alleged victim or the victim’s family. Anything you say can and will be used against you. A lawyer can intervene before charges are formally filed, negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and guide you through the bond process. Time is critical, especially before the first court appearance in New Kent County.
Do I have to register as a sex offender if convicted of indecent liberties with a child?
Yes, a conviction under Va. Code § 18.2-370 requires mandatory registration under the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. For most felony sex offenses, registration is for life. You must report your address, employment, and vehicle information to the Virginia State Police, and failure to comply is a separate felony. This is one reason why Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel focus heavily on reducing charges to offenses that do not trigger registration, whenever the facts of the case allow.
Can indecent liberties with a child charges be reduced?
Yes, in many instances, a reduction is possible if the evidence supports a lesser offense or if constitutional issues weaken the prosecution’s position. For example, a charge may be amended to assault or battery if the sexual nature of the alleged contact is not clearly established. Because Mr. Sris is a former prosecutor, he understands the charging discretion that the Commonwealth’s Attorney holds and can advocate for a resolution that spares you from the sex offender registry. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; results vary based on the specific facts.
What is the penalty for indecent liberties with a child in Virginia?
It is a Class 5 felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison, or, in some cases, up to 12 months in jail. The court has discretion in sentencing, but the statutory range is serious. In addition to incarceration, probation, and fines, a conviction carries the collateral consequence of lifetime sex offender registration. For this reason, every aspect of the defense — from challenging forensic evidence to arguing for alternative sentencing — is critical.
Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. to request a consultation about your matter. Call (888) 437-7747 or contact our Richmond Location at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225. By appointment only.
Primary-source authority: Virginia Code Title 18.2 (Criminal Offenses Generally) · New Kent County General District / Circuit Court
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.