"Indecent Liberties with a Child"...what's the mildest definition of this crime? Neighbor on the List...

Question

I just found out my neighbor (not a friend) is on the registered sex offender list for the crime listed above. Does this mean he was convicted of some really bad act with a child, or could it have been a relationship he had with a sixteen year old when he was 19?

I don't want to assume he's a monster if it's possible he was just stupid. Any legal information would be helpful. Thank you! (Don't worry, he's not getting near MY kids either way!)

Answer 1

The definition will vary by state statute. Mine (NC) is:

Taking indecent liberties with children.

(a) A person is guilty of taking indecent liberties with children if, being 16 years of age or more and at least five years older than the child in question, he either:

(1) Willfully takes or attempts to take any immoral, improper, or indecent liberties with any child of either sex under the age of 16 years for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire; or

(2) Willfully commits or attempts to commit any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body or any part or member of the body of any child of either sex under the age of 16 years.

Search your state statutes for the specific definition for your state.

Answer 2

In my state (MO) the sex offender registry tells you who is on the list, what they did, a little info on the victim, what state it occurred, the year it happened, how much time the offender did. If your state web site doesn't offer this information try a national search. There are several sex offender registries that cover the same area.

Have you seen this list for yourself? If your website doesn't offer this information maybe you could go to your local police dept. and get more in-depth information.

I'm glad you are watching out for your children but what about the other children in your neighbor hood. Have you thought about starting a neighborhood watch or something.

I've learned it's not the ones you know about but the ones you don't know about that are the most dangerous.

Answer 3

Most states have a sex offender registry online. Just search under "your state sex offender registry." In Ohio you can search by name, zip code, county, or state. It gives waht they were charged with like you have but it also explains in more detail exactly what the charge was. For example: It would show your offender, the actual charge ("Indecent Liberties...") and then say that he was a 19 year old caught with a 17 year old or 45 years old caught taking pics of a 5 year old etc.

Answer 4

http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatuteFile.do?number=/21-3504.html

That's a copy of what it means in my state. This could easily be an 18 year old that had a relationship with a 15 year old. It could also mean that a 30 year old groped a 14 year old on a bus.

However, it's used to describe sexual contact between an adult and a teenager in all instances. It could mean consenual sex...or the guy could have 'pled' down his crime. I would suggest running his name through the search engine of your local paper and getting the details.

Answer 5

) Indecent liberties with a child is engaging in any of the following acts with a child 14 or more years of age but less than 16 years of age:
1) And lewd fondling or touching of the person of either the child or the offender done or submitted to with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the offender, or both; or
2) Soliciting the child to engage in any lewd fondling or touching of the person of another with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the child, the offender, or another.

found it on a legal definition website for state of kansas. it was the first one i found. you probably can find it for your state.

Answer 6

He is bad enough to be on the list...so stay away from him.