What is a Sex Offender Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Offense?
The Indiana Code contains a range of specific sex crimes, as well as conditions of probation and parole associated with a sex crime conviction. In many instances, a person who has been convicted of a sex crime is required to register as a sex offender and can be subject to additional restrictions under Indiana law. One of those particular restrictions involves the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, which can lead to the charged offense of a “sex offender unmanned aerial vehicle offense” under IC 35-42-4-12.5. What is this specific offense, and when can a person face charges? Our Indianapolis sex crime defense lawyers can explain in more detail below.
Understanding the Definition of a Sex Offender
Only a person who is classified as a “sex offender” and required to register as such in Indiana can be charged with a “sex offender unmanned aerial vehicle offense.” As such, it is essential to understand the definition of a sex offender.
Under IC 11-8-8-4.5, a sex offender is anyone who has been convicted of one of the 20 offenses listed under the statute, including but not limited to rape, child molesting, child solicitation, promotion of human sexual trafficking, promotion of child sexual trafficking, and ending with sexual misconduct by a service provider with a detained or supervised child. If you have been convicted of any of those 20 listed offenses, then you could face charges under IC 35-42-4-12.5.
Sex Offender Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Offense
This is a specific crime that can be charged under IC 35-42-4-12.5. It applies to anyone who is classified as a sex offender (as explained above) who:
- Knowingly or intentionally operates an unmanned aerial vehicle for the purpose of following, contacting, or capturing images of one or more other individuals; and
- Is subject to a condition of probation or parole, or a condition or rule of a community corrections program or community transition program that prohibits this type of following, contacting, or image capturing with an unmanned aerial vehicle.
What is an unmanned aerial vehicle? Under IC 35-31.5-2-342.3, an unmanned aerial vehicle is “an aircraft that does not carry a human operator and that is capable of flight under remote control or autonomous programming.” It is, in short, a drone that can be operated by a remote control or by another form of programming.
Contact Our Indianapolis Sex Crime Defense Attorneys for Help with Your Violation Defense
If you are facing any allegations related to a sex offense in Indiana or to a specific crime as a result of your classification as a sex offender, it is essential to seek legal help with your defense. A sex crime conviction, and especially a conviction when you are under conditions of probation or parole, can have devastating consequences. An experienced Indianapolis sex crimes defense lawyer at Rigney Law LLC can discuss the details of your case with you today and can begin working with you to develop a defense strategy based on the facts of your case. Contact our firm today for more information about the criminal defense services we provide in the Indianapolis area.
Sources:
law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-42/chapter-4/section-35-42-4-12-5/
law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-11/article-8/chapter-8/section-11-8-8-4-5/
law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-35/article-31-5/chapter-2/section-35-31-5-2-342-3/