Lafayette Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Are you or a loved one facing criminal charges related to computer-aided sex crimes, sex offenses, or internet crime? The Louisiana legal system can be overwhelming and confusing, especially in cases involving cutting-edge technology and sensitive issues.

That’s why you need an experienced attorney who can guide you through the process and protect your rights.

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Defense Built on Trial and Appellate Experience

At the Ikerd Law Firm, we are dedicated to defending clients facing sex offenses and computer-aided sex crimes in Lafayette.

Far too often, false accusations are made during contested custody battles. We understand that being accused of a crime can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, and we are here to guide you through the legal process and defend your future.

The Ikerd Law Firm and Chad Ikerd have years of experience defending internet crimes and sex offense cases.

We understand the complexities of these types of cases and have the knowledge and skills to bring the trial and appellate experience these cases demand.

Convictions for a sex offense can sometimes have more serious and harsh punishments than violent crimes.

Many, if not most, convictions require registration as a sex offender, possibly for life. For some, jail is preferable to having to register as a sex offender.

The stigma that comes with that title can cause you to lose friends, jobs, and even your home.

Do not put your future at risk by failing to hire an attorney experienced in investigating your case to prove your innocence or negotiating a fair resolution by emphasizing all available mitigation on your behalf.

Our team has a proven track record of success in defending clients against internet crimes and sex offense charges.

We thoroughly investigate the evidence against our clients and develop a comprehensive defense strategy that is tailored to the unique circumstances of their cases.

Whether it’s negotiating a favorable plea bargain or taking the case to trial, we are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.

We handle a wide range of internet sex crimes and sex offense cases, including but not limited to allegations of:

• Rape
• Child molestation
• Indecent behavior with a juvenile
• Felony and Misdemeanor Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
• Computer-aided sexual offenses, including online sexual exploitation of children
• Solicitation of a minor
• Traveling to meet a minor
• Revenge pornography
• Internet harassment
• Sextortion
• Virtual sexual assault

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Understanding Sex Offenses in Lafayette, LA

Sex offenses are considered some of the most serious criminal charges in Louisiana. These types of offenses can result in severe penalties, including long prison sentences and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

It is important to understand the specific laws and potential consequences associated with sex offenses in order to properly defend yourself against these types of charges.

Types of Sex Offenses in Lafayette and throughout Louisiana:

In Louisiana, there are several different types of sex offenses, each with its own set of penalties and potential consequences.

Some of the most common types of sex offenses include:

• Sexual Assault or Sexual Battery
• Child Sexual Abuse, including Felony Carnal Knowledge with a Juvenile
• Rape or Abuse
• Internet, Computer, or Phone Sex Crimes

Understanding Internet Sex Crimes

Internet sex crimes are criminal offenses that are committed using the Internet or other forms of technology.

Acts that may be crimes can include:

• Pornography Involving Juveniles: This refers to the distribution, possession, or production of child pornography, as well as the sexual exploitation of children through online communication or grooming. La. R.S. 14:81.1.
• Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor: This can occur when an adult uses the internet to communicate with a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity or a crime of violence. La. R.S. 14:81.3.
• Sexting: This can occur when someone, under the age of 17 sends a nude photo or video of themselves to another person. It is illegal to send a photo of yourself and for the person who received the photo to possess it. La. R.S. 14:81.1.1.
• Traveling to meet a minor: This refers to an adult using the internet to arrange a meeting with a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.
• Revenge pornography: This is the distribution of sexually explicit images or videos without the consent of the individual depicted, often with the intent to harm or humiliate the victim.
• Internet harassment: This refers to the use of the internet or other technology to harass, intimidate, or stalk another person.
• Sextortion: This occurs when an individual uses the internet to blackmail or extort another person into providing sexual favors or explicit images.

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How These Cases Get Defended

Attorney Chad Ikerd is known for his aggressive and proactive approach to criminal defense and protecting the rights our Constitution bestows on every citizen to challenge the government’s case.

Chad will carefully analyze the evidence against you and develop a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to the unique circumstances of your case. This may include proactively seeking professional psychological help and assessments of you to present to the prosecution to mitigate some of the issues related to sentencing.

Whether it’s negotiating a favorable plea bargain or taking the case to trial, Chad is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients.

Defending Against Sex Offense Charges in Lafayette

Possible defenses to sexual offense charges include:

• Lack of evidence: In many cases, sex offense charges are based on circumstantial evidence or the testimony of the alleged victim. An attorney may be able to challenge this evidence and cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.
• Consent: In some cases, the alleged victim may have consented to sexual contact or intercourse. A criminal defense attorney may be able to argue that the sexual contact was consensual and that the charges should be dropped.
• False accusations: Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for individuals to be falsely accused of sex offenses, especially during custody disputes. An experienced attorney can help investigate the case and gather evidence to disprove the accusations.
• Insufficient forensic evidence: Often, DNA or other forensic sciences are involved in the prosecution of sex offenses. Chad Ikerd has litigated many DNA cases and has a full grasp of the science and how to attack it at trial, where appropriate. Sometimes, the outcome of a case may hinge on the ability to discredit and question the forensic evidence in a case.
• Mistaken identity: Sometimes, the victim may have mistaken the identity of the perpetrator, it is important for the defense attorney to investigate and gather any evidence that might support the defendant’s alibi or lack of involvement in the crime.
• Illegal Search and Seizure: Illegal search and seizure is a defense against criminal charges that can be raised when the police obtain evidence in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This may occur when the police take samples of your DNA without a lawful warrant.
• Miranda rights violation: Chad Ikerd will always look closely at an interview a client has with police without an attorney present. Sometimes the police forget to properly advise a suspect of their constitutional right to remain silent, or the police ignore a request for an attorney. This can lead to some statements being suppressed and not used as evidence at trial.

What Happens After an Arrest in Lafayette

The days right after an arrest shape the rest of the case. Devices are imaged. Statements get taken. Search warrants are written, executed, and sometimes later challenged on the strength of their drafting. Very little of this is visible to the person charged, which is why the early period feels like waiting when it is actually the most active stage of the file.

A defense in a digital case is built on questions most people never think to ask. Where did the evidence come from, and was the search that produced it lawful? Who had access to the device, and can the state actually tie the activity to one person rather than to a household or a shared network? Did an investigator initiate the conversation, and how far did that go? Is the forensic report saying what the prosecution claims it says, or has the summary flattened out something more complicated?

Chad Ikerd served as Chief Defender and has handled over 1,000 felony cases along with more than 200 writs and appeals. That appellate background matters here in a way it does not in every case. Understanding how a record reads on review changes how it gets built at the trial level, and in cases where the evidence is technical and the stakes include registration, the details preserved early are frequently the ones that matter most later.

Every case is different, and nothing here is a prediction about any specific outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a computer-aided sex crime in Louisiana?

It covers offenses committed using the internet, a phone, or any other device. That includes computer-aided solicitation of a minor, distributing or possessing images involving juveniles, arranging to meet a minor, sexting between people under the legal age, and sharing explicit images without consent. The device is what separates these charges from the offline versions, and it also means most of the evidence is digital.

What happens to my phone and computer after an arrest?

Devices are usually seized and sent for forensic examination. That examination is where most of the prosecution’s case comes from, and it is also where a defense often starts, because how the devices were obtained, searched, and handled all matter. Do not attempt to delete anything or reset a device.

Can charges be brought if no one was actually harmed?

Yes. A number of these offenses are written around intent and communication rather than a completed act, which is why sting operations and online conversations lead to charges even when no meeting ever took place.

What should I do before I talk to investigators?

Speak to a lawyer first. Officers may say a conversation is informal or that cooperating will help. Anything said can be used, and in cases built on digital evidence, an early statement often becomes the most damaging item in the file.

How soon should I contact an attorney?

As early as possible, ideally before charges are filed. Evidence gets preserved, devices get imaged, and the window to influence what happens next is widest at the beginning.

 

Protect Your Future With the Help of a Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

We also understand the serious consequences that a conviction can have on your future; that’s why we work tirelessly to protect your rights and defend your freedom. Don’t let an accusation of a sex offense or computer-aided sex crime put your reputation, rights, and freedom at risk.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation. Our team is standing by and ready to go to work for you and your family.