Child Molestation Defense in Paulding County

Serious Felony Charges Demand a Defense Team That Knows How Georgia Builds These Cases

A child molestation charge in Georgia is among the most serious accusations a person can face. The potential sentences are severe, the social consequences are immediate, and the investigation often begins long before an arrest is made. At Henrickson & Sereebutra, we’ve handled criminal defense matters throughout Paulding County, Cobb County, Douglas County, and the greater Atlanta Metro area since 2004. Our office in historic downtown Dallas, GA, sits steps from the Paulding County Courthouse, and that proximity matters when your case demands fast, attentive counsel.

If you or someone you know is under investigation or has been charged with child molestation, don’t speak with investigators before talking to an attorney. Contact us for a free consultation. Call (770) 212-3313.

What Georgia Law Defines as Child Molestation

Under O.C.G.A. § 16-6-4, child molestation is any immoral or indecent act done to or in the presence of a child under 16, with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either party. The statute also covers electronically transmitting indecent images to a child under 16 with that same intent.

Physical contact isn’t required for a charge to stand. Touching over clothing, indecent exposure, and sending explicit images to a minor can all qualify. Georgia courts have also applied the statute to treat contact with multiple areas of a child’s body in a single incident as separate chargeable offenses.

Aggravated child molestation is a distinct and more serious charge. It applies when the underlying act causes physical injury to the child or involves an act of sodomy, and the distinction carries significant sentencing consequences.

Sentencing Ranges, Registry Requirements, & the Misdemeanor Exception

Georgia imposes steep penalties for child molestation convictions, and the consequences extend well beyond prison time.

Prison Sentences & Aggravated Charges

A first-offense child molestation conviction carries five to 20 years in prison. A second or subsequent conviction raises that range to 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment, and the state must provide written pretrial notice if it intends to seek a life sentence. Aggravated child molestation is punishable by life imprisonment or a split sentence requiring at least 25 years followed by lifetime probation.

Sex Offender Registration

Any conviction also requires registration as a sex offender in the database maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. That registration follows a person indefinitely and affects housing, employment, and daily life in lasting ways.

The Narrow Misdemeanor Exception

Georgia recognizes a narrow exception that reduces the charge to a misdemeanor: the victim must be 14 or 15, the accused must be 18 or younger, and the accused may be no more than four years older than the victim. Outside those specific circumstances, felony prosecution applies.

How Investigators Build These Cases in Georgia

Our attorneys’ prosecutorial background gives us direct insight into the investigative methods Georgia law enforcement uses in sex offense cases. That experience shapes how we scrutinize the state’s evidence from the first day of representation.

Two investigative tools appear frequently in these cases. The first is the pretext call, where the accuser contacts the suspect requesting an apology while investigators record the conversation for possible use as a confession. The second is the forensic interview, a structured interview of the child conducted by a trained professional whose methods and recorded statements become central to the prosecution’s case.

Because statements made during an investigation can be used against the accused, anyone contacted by investigators should speak with an attorney before responding to any questions. Felony child molestation charges proceed through Paulding County Superior Court in Dallas, Georgia, and preparation for that venue begins well before a courtroom appearance.

Our Defense Approach for Child Molestation Charges

Each case we handle starts with a close review of how the investigation was conducted. Forensic interview procedures, the consistency of statements across time, and any recorded communications are all examined carefully. These cases frequently turn on witness credibility, and gaps or inconsistencies in how the evidence was gathered can carry real weight at trial.

Depending on the circumstances, defense strategies may include challenging inconsistent accounts, identifying a motive for a false accusation, or arguing mistaken identity when the accused had no prior relationship with the accuser. Preserving communications and records relevant to the relationship with the accuser is an early priority in each case.

We approach each case with individualized attention and clear communication at every stage. Our professional relationships within the Paulding County legal community, built over decades of practice, inform how we negotiate and prepare for litigation.

Contact Our Paulding County Defense Team Before Time Works Against You

The earlier we get involved, the more options may be available. Evidence can be challenged, statements can be contextualized, and investigative missteps can be identified before they go uncontested. We offer free consultations for individuals facing child molestation charges in Paulding County and the surrounding counties.

Call (770) 212-3313 to schedule your free consultation. We’re located in downtown Dallas, GA, close to the Paulding County Courthouse and ready to respond promptly.