Child Grooming Defense Attorney in Kentucky

Preparing for Kentucky's Proposed Grooming Law

Kentucky is poised to join other states in criminalizing child grooming behavior. In September 2025, Representative Marianne Proctor introduced legislation that would define and criminalize the grooming of minors in Kentucky for the first time. With bipartisan support and the legislative session set to begin in January 2026, this bill is expected to pass and fundamentally change how Kentucky prosecutes certain conduct involving minors.

If you're facing allegations or concerns about potential grooming charges in Northern Kentucky, the criminal defense attorneys at Bleile & Dawson can help. With offices serving Campbell, Boone, and Kenton Counties, we provide aggressive legal representation for sex crime allegations and are prepared to defend clients under Kentucky's new grooming statute once enacted.

Reach out online or call (859) 951-3112 to schedule a free, confidential consultation and discuss your situation with an experienced defense team.

What Would Kentucky's Grooming Law Criminalize?

The proposed legislation defines grooming as an adult (18 or older) knowingly contacting a minor under 14 years old with the intent to entice, coerce, solicit, or prepare the minor to engage in sexual conduct. 

The law specifically targets two categories of conduct:

• Direct Contact with Intent – Any adult who contacts a minor under 14 with the intent to prepare them for sexual activity.
• Abuse of Position of Authority – Adults in positions of authority or special trust over minors who develop intimate or secretive relationships with the intent to engage in sexual conduct.

The proposed law includes important exceptions for legitimate communications, including educational discussions about sexuality, healthcare treatment, reporting abuse or neglect, and job-related duties. However, prosecutors will have broad discretion in determining whether conduct crosses the line into criminal grooming.

Proposed Penalties Under Kentucky's Grooming Statute

If enacted as currently drafted, violations of Kentucky's grooming law would carry significant penalties.

These include:

• Class A Misdemeanor – Grooming a minor under 14 would be punishable by up to 12 months in jail and fines up to $500.
• Class D Felony – Grooming a minor under 12 would elevate to a felony charge, carrying one to five years in prison and substantially higher fines.

These penalties represent just the criminal consequences. A grooming conviction would likely result in severe collateral consequences, including damage to your reputation, loss of employment, and restrictions on contact with minors.

How Bleile & Dawson Can Defend You

Our firm has extensive experience defending clients against sex crime allegations in Kentucky and throughout the tri-state area. We understand that grooming allegations often arise from misinterpreted communications, false accusations, or situations where intent is ambiguous or non-existent.

Our defense strategies may include:

• Challenging the evidence of intent to commit grooming
• Demonstrating that communications fell within legitimate exceptions
• Exposing inconsistencies in witness testimony or accusers' statements
• Presenting evidence of lawful purposes for the interactions in question
• Negotiating with prosecutors to prevent charges from being filed

We also recognize that in many cases, the best defense begins before charges are filed. Our pre-arrest representation services allow us to intervene during investigations, present your side of the story, and potentially prevent criminal charges altogether.

Pre-Arrest Defense: Acting Before It's Too Late

If you believe you may be under investigation for grooming or any sex-related offense involving a minor, do not speak with law enforcement without an attorney present. Anything you say can and will be used against you, even if you believe you're simply explaining a misunderstanding.

At Bleile & Dawson, we've successfully represented clients before charges were filed, preventing arrests and protecting their futures. This proactive approach can result in no arrest record, no time in jail, and a much faster resolution to your legal concerns.

Contact Our Northern Kentucky Grooming Defense Lawyers

Whether Kentucky's grooming law is already in effect or you're facing related allegations under current law, you need experienced criminal defense counsel who will fight for your rights. Our team is available 24/7 to provide the guidance and aggressive representation you deserve.

Bleile & Dawson serves clients throughout Northern Kentucky, including Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties, as well as Cincinnati and the surrounding areas in Ohio and Indiana.

Contact us online or call us at (859) 951-3112 for a free, confidential consultation. Don't let allegations destroy your future—let us build your defense today.