Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child by Custodian lawyer Goochland County, VA

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Practicing since 1997.

Last reviewed: July 2026

A charge of taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian in Goochland County, Virginia, brings immediate, life-altering consequences. The offense, codified under Va. Code § 18.2-370, is a felony that carries a substantial prison sentence and mandatory registration on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., concentrates a portion of his practice on sex crime defense matters in Goochland County Circuit Court and Goochland County General District Court. The firm serves clients from its Richmond location, which regularly represents individuals in Goochland, Crozier, Oilville, and throughout the Sixteenth Judicial District. Because a conviction triggers lifetime registration and can affect where a person may live or work, the defense strategy often centers on avoiding a registry-triggering conviction or negotiating a charge amendment. For a consultation regarding a taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian charge in Goochland County, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

On this page

What Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child by Custodian Means in Goochland County

Taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian is a Class 5 felony in Virginia. The offense applies when a person over the age of 18, who stands in a custodial relationship to a child under the age of 15, knowingly and intentionally engages in acts that fall within the statutory definition. The custodial element elevates the charge beyond a standard indecent-liberties offense because it involves a relationship of trust—such as a parent, stepparent, guardian, or person in an analogous supervisory role.

Goochland County General District Court, located at 2938 River Road West, Building G, Goochland, Virginia 23063, typically conducts preliminary hearings in these matters. If probable cause is found, the case proceeds to the Goochland County Circuit Court for trial. The Circuit Court, which is presided over by the Honorable Claiborne H. Stokes Jr., handles all felony trials, including those involving forensic evidence such as DNA and digital records. Because the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Goochland County prosecutes these cases vigorously, early involvement of counsel is important. An experienced defense attorney can assess the evidence, identify procedural issues, and negotiate before the case moves to the Circuit Court docket.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle These Cases

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys approach each taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian charge by first examining the specific facts and the relationship between the accused and the alleged victim. The defense may challenge the existence of a custodial relationship, question whether the conduct meets the statutory definition, or examine the reliability of forensic evidence and witness statements. Because Virginia sex crime cases often involve DNA, digital forensics, and forensic interviews of children, the firm works with qualified forensic experts when the prosecution’s scientific evidence needs to be tested.

Charge negotiation is a significant part of the defense strategy. A conviction under Va. Code § 18.2-370 requires lifetime registration under the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act (§ 9.1-901). Avoiding a registry-triggering conviction is frequently the central objective. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys who concentrate in sex crime defense understand the local procedures in the Goochland County courts and can argue for bond that is reasonable under the circumstances, or pursue pretrial motions that may narrow the scope of the prosecution’s case. Results may vary.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. A former prosecutor, he brings firsthand understanding of how the government builds criminal cases. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His practice includes serious felony and sex crime defense matters in Goochland County and throughout Virginia.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys include individuals with extensive trial experience and backgrounds that include former service as a state trooper and over thirty years of criminal defense litigation. The Of Counsel attorneys who handle sex crime matters are admitted in Virginia and the District of Columbia and are experienced in challenging forensic evidence such as DNA analysis, digital records, and cell‑tower data. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring deep combined legal experience to sex crime defense in Goochland County. To discuss a taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian charge, contact the firm at (888) 437-7747.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the penalty for taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian in Virginia?

A conviction for taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian under Va. Code § 18.2-370 is a Class 5 felony, punishable by one to ten years of imprisonment, or at the discretion of a jury, up to twelve months in jail. In addition to incarceration, the court may impose a fine of up to $2,500. A conviction also requires registration as a sex offender under Va. Code § 9.1-901. The registry requirement is generally lifetime, and the collateral consequences affect where a person can live, work, and travel. Because of these severe penalties, the defense often focuses on avoiding a registry-triggering conviction.

Do I have to register as a sex offender if convicted of this offense in Goochland County?

Yes, a conviction for taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian usually requires lifetime registration on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry under Va. Code § 9.1-901. The offender must report address, employment, and vehicle information to law enforcement, and failure to comply is a separate felony. Because registration is mandatory for most felony sex offenses in Virginia, defense counsel often works to negotiate a charge that does not carry a registration requirement. Even a reduced charge can sometimes avoid the registry obligation, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate every possible avenue to pursue that outcome.

How does a Virginia lawyer defend against a taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian charge?

Defense strategies in these cases may include challenging whether a custodial relationship existed, disputing the alleged conduct, contesting the age of the child, or examining procedural deficiencies in the investigation. An experienced attorney reviews forensic evidence, witness statements, and the circumstances surrounding the allegation. In some matters, the defense may negotiate a charge amendment to an offense without sex‑offender‑registry consequences. Because the prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt, identifying weaknesses in the Commonwealth’s case is central to the defense. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle sex crime cases in Goochland County with a focus on thorough preparation.

What should I do if I am facing this charge in Goochland County?

If you are facing a taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian charge, you should exercise your right to remain silent and contact a defense attorney immediately. Do not discuss the details of the allegation with anyone other than your lawyer. Preserve any relevant evidence, including messages, emails, and contact records, but do not delete or alter anything—doing so could create additional legal exposure. The preliminary hearing in General District Court is often scheduled within a few weeks of arrest, so prompt legal consultation is important. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients in Goochland County and can be reached at (888) 437-7747.

Can a taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian charge be reduced or dismissed in Goochland County?

A charge may be reduced or dismissed, depending on the facts of the case, the strength of the evidence, and the negotiation posture of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate each case individually to determine whether there are grounds for a pretrial dismissal motion, a favorable plea agreement to a non‑registry offense, or a trial defense. Virginia law permits plea bargaining under Rule 3A:8 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and charge amendments are a routine part of criminal practice. While no attorney can promise a particular result, the firm works toward the most favorable outcome possible under the circumstances. Results may vary.

How long does a sex crime case like this take in Goochland County?

The timeline for a taking indecent liberties with a child by custodian case in Goochland County varies depending on the complexity of the evidence, the court’s schedule, and whether the case proceeds to trial. A preliminary hearing in Goochland County General District Court is generally scheduled within a few weeks to a couple of months after arrest. If the matter moves to the Circuit Court, a trial date can be several months to a year out. Cases that involve forensic laboratory analysis of DNA or digital devices frequently take longer because of the time required for scientific testing. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys stay in communication with clients about case status throughout the process. To discuss your specific timeline, contact the firm at (888) 437-7747.

Virginia primary sources:
Va. Code § 18.2-370 |
Goochland County Circuit Court |
Virginia Courts

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.

Results may vary.