In Virginia, those accused of taking indecent liberties with a minor typically face a class 5 felony, though the charges can vary depending on the circumstances of the alleged crime and the accused’s legal history.
In most cases, taking indecent liberties with a minor is considered a class 5 felony in Virginia. A class 5 felony carries a prison term of anywhere from 1 to 10 years and a maximum fine of $2,500. This charge will typically be used for a first offender whose alleged crime involves either exposing themselves to a child or asking a child to do the same, suggesting that a child feel one’s sexual parts, proposing sex to a child, or attempting to lure a child somewhere for the purposes of committing one of these acts. For these crimes, a child is defined as a minor who is younger than 15.
Subsequent Acts of Indecent Liberties
If someone is convicted for subsequent acts of taking indecent liberties with a child, they could be charged with the more severe class 4 felony, which carries a prison term of between two and 10 years and a maximum fine of $100,000. For the charge to rise to a class 4 felony, the offense must be distinctive from previous charges — not part of the same act that led to other indecent liberties charges — and the accused must have been free between the two convictions.
In addition, the charges can depend on the relationship between the accused and the victim. Adults face class 4 felony charges if they commit any of these violations against their child, step-child, grandchild or step-grandchild who is under the age of 15. They face class 5 felony charges if the child in question is 15 or older but not yet 18.
Taking indecent liberties with a child in Virginia also encompasses when an adult receives compensation to convince anyone under 18 to appear in sexually explicit material. This crime is considered a class 5 felony.
