Child Molestation

Child Molestation Defense Attorney in Fishers

Over 180 Jury Trials. Practicing Criminal Defense Since 1990.

A child molestation accusation carries consequences that begin long before any verdict. Your reputation, your family, and your freedom are all at risk from the moment an allegation surfaces. These cases demand an attorney who has actually tried rape and sex offense cases before a jury, not one learning the evidence patterns on your time.

I’m David Shircliff. I’ve practiced criminal defense since 1990, including years as a public defender, and I’ve served as lead counsel in more than 180 jury trials across charges ranging from misdemeanors to murder, rape, and sex offenses. Clients and colleagues describe me as someone who “hates to lose” and has achieved results at every level. That record is what I bring to every child molestation case I take.

If you or someone you know is facing a child molestation charge in Fishers or anywhere in Central Indiana, call me directly at (317) 936-3404. The sooner we talk, the more options may be available.

What You Get When You Hire Me

When you hire Shircliff Law LLC, you hire me. I’m a solo attorney, and I personally handle every aspect of your case from the first call through resolution. Nothing gets handed to an associate. You get three decades of criminal defense experience applied directly to your situation, along with prompt communication so you’re never left wondering where your case stands.

My practice covers Fishers and extends across nine counties in Central Indiana, including Hamilton, Hendricks, Madison, and Marion Counties. I also serve as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, and I bring that same commitment to precision and preparation to every defense I build. My approach is what clients call “compassionately aggressive”: direct, honest assessments of your case without sugar-coating, combined with a litigation strategy built around protecting your rights.

Indiana’s Child Molestation Statute: What the State Must Prove

Indiana Code 35-42-4-3 defines child molesting and classifies charges based on the nature of the alleged conduct and the circumstances surrounding it. The felony level determines the sentence range and every long-term consequence that follows, so these distinctions matter from day one.

Felony Classifications for Child Molesting

The statute separates two categories of conduct, each carrying different baseline charges:

Sexual Conduct Charges
Sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child under 14 is charged as a Level 3 felony. That charge is elevated to a Level 1 felony if the accused is 21 or older, if deadly force or a deadly weapon is used or threatened, if the offense results in serious bodily injury, if the offense is facilitated by giving the victim a controlled substance without their knowledge, or if the offense results in transmission of a serious sexually transmitted disease.

Fondling Charges
Fondling or touching a child under 14 with intent to arouse is charged as a Level 4 felony. The same aggravating factors (deadly force, a deadly weapon, or drug facilitation) elevate that charge to a Level 2 felony.

The Age-Belief Defense & Attempted Charges

Indiana law recognizes a defense when the accused reasonably believed the child was 16 or older at the time of the conduct. That defense isn’t available when the offense involved deadly force, a deadly weapon, serious bodily injury, or drug facilitation. Separately, a person can be convicted of attempted child molesting involving someone who is 14 or older if the person believed the individual was under 14 at the time.

Penalties, Registry Consequences, & the Statute of Limitations

Sentencing ranges vary significantly by felony level, and the consequences of a conviction extend well beyond incarceration.

Sentencing ranges:

Level 1 felony: 20 to 40 years, fine up to $10,000
Level 2 felony: 10 to 30 years, fine up to $10,000
Level 3 felony: 3 to 16 years, fine up to $10,000
Level 4 felony: 2 to 12 years, fine up to $10,000

A conviction also requires registration with Indiana’s Sex and Violent Offender Registry. Registration can restrict where a person lives, works, and travels, and the registration period depends on the offense and felony level. In some cases, registration lasts for life.

Under Indiana Code 35-41-4-2, prosecution for child molesting is generally barred once the alleged victim turns 31. That limitation doesn’t apply to Level 1 or Level 2 felony charges, which can be prosecuted at any time. Charges can surface years or even decades after the alleged conduct.

What Sets Shircliff Law LLC Apart?

Clear Guidance. Strong Defense. Always on Your Side.

Over 30 Years Experience
With over 30 years of courtroom experience, David Shircliff brings unmatched legal insight to every case.
Honest, Relentless & Decisive
We tell you the truth, fight without hesitation, and act with purpose at every stage.
Won At Every Level
From local courts to federal appeals, we know how to win — and we’ve done it.
Hands-On Approach
We work with you one-on-one, staying hands-on through every phase of your case.

How These Cases Are Built & How They Can Be Defended

Child molestation cases in Fishers rarely turn on a single piece of physical evidence. Prosecutors commonly build their cases from forensic interviews, medical or counselor records, testimonial evidence, and digital evidence such as text messages and social media. Each of those sources carries its own vulnerabilities, and examining them carefully is central to building a defense.

My sex crimes practice covers rape, sexual battery, child molestation, possession of child pornography, internet sex crimes, and solicitation of a minor. Digital evidence from phones and computers must be obtained through a properly executed search warrant supported by probable cause. Evidence gathered outside those bounds can be challenged and potentially suppressed.

Felony child molestation charges arising in Fishers are tried in the Hamilton County Circuit and Superior Courts in Noblesville. I’ve worked in those courts, I know the judges and the prosecutors, and I understand how local procedure shapes case strategy.

Talk to a Fishers Child Molestation Defense Attorney

I generally offer a free consultation before any financial commitment, and I work with clients on flexible fee arrangements to help make a strong defense accessible. Virtual consultations can be accommodated.

Don’t face a child molestation accusation without an experienced advocate in your corner. Call (317) 936-3404 or reach out through the contact form to schedule your consultation.

Under Investigation? What to Do Before Charges Are Filed

An investigation can begin well before any arrest or formal charge. Police may request an interview, ask questions through a third party, or reach out directly. What you say at that stage can become evidence against you, and no amount of cooperation means charges won’t follow.

Under the Fifth Amendment, you have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present before answering any questions from law enforcement, whether that conversation happens at a police station, at your home, or anywhere else. Exercise both.

Retaining a defense attorney before formal charges are filed gives me the opportunity to engage with investigators and prosecutors early, evaluate the strength of what they have, and begin building a defense strategy when it matters most. If you believe you’re under investigation for child molestation anywhere in Central Indiana, contact me at (317) 936-3404 before you speak with anyone from law enforcement.

Contact Shircliff Law LLC Today

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