Solicitation Of A Minor
Sex Crimes Attorney Representing Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
Solicitation Of A Minor Is A Federal Crime
Federal law makes it a crime to engage in any online solicitation of a minor with the intent to commit a sexual act. Online solicitation often occurs through email, instant messaging, or chat room. No physical contact with the minor is required to be prosecuted. Simply, engaging in sexually explicit communication or exchanging sexually explicit materials is enough to be convicted under federal law.
A sex crime where there is a solicitation of sex involving a minor may be extremely difficult to fight without the proper defense. Not only will you be trying to defend yourself against the entire legal system with an accusation such as this, but you are also in for the fight of your life. This doesn’t even begin to include how these types of charges can and will affect your personal and professional life.
On the one end, you are facing a legal system that takes these types of charges very seriously and law enforcement and prosecutors who fight against you vigorously where a child is involved. The climate is turbulent and heartbreaking for any individual facing these circumstances and it takes quite a toll on your loved ones. You must not wait, you must act immediately in order to preserve a future where you are not labeled a predator or mired by the stigma of being called a pedophile or sex offender.
Get Help From Los Angeles Criminal Solicitation Defense Lawyer Chad Lewin: Call Now
Whether You Consummate The Act Or Not, You Are Guilty
Bear in mind that you need not have actually physically engaged with the minor in order to be found guilty. Solicitation is considered when you simply asked or suggested a sexual act with a minor. This includes inviting a minor into a situation that involves a sexual act, suggests or implies a sexual act as well as an attempt to lure a minor into a sexual act. If any language enticing a minor into a sexual act is communicated, this is also considered a solicitation.
You never actually need to meet the minor or engage in physical acts with the minor for solicitation to have taken place. A suggestive sexually charged text, email, or message via a social media messaging platform or cell phone messaging app are all considered a solicitation for all intents or purposes where charges are involved. Any physical attempt at travel to a location where you expect to meet the minor, never having met the minor, is now an additional criminal offense with additional fees, fines, and penalties.
Let Chad Lewin Fight For You, Your Future Depends On It: Call Now
Chad Lewin has well over a decade of experience as an aggressive criminal defense attorney in California for these types of crimes. He understands how prosecutors work and to what extent, in sexual crimes related to minors, the courts will go to ensure you lose your freedom.
Sex crimes involving minors are highly charged and someone has to pay. The example being set may be more important than thoroughly investigating. Chad will investigate every detail and put a strategic defense into place for you. Your freedom depends on getting the best defense, especially with a solicitation charge involving a minor.
Let Chad Lewin Fight For You: Call Now
Sex Crimes Originating Online
Nothing is secret. Anything that takes place on the internet leaves a footprint. You have often heard the phrase “clear your cookies”, the fact is that none of your activity is private. This includes accidentally clicking on links that you may have never intended to click on. Regardless of whether you had no knowledge of the page, chat, or link you got pulled into.
There is no insulation for you under the law for ignorance of how a platform works. All that the law cares about is the age of the minor involved. They do not consider the fact that you may not have known the true age of the individual involved or the circumstances surrounding your exchange.
What Is Solicitation?
Solicitation is defined by you asking for something from the minor. In the case of Solicitation Of A Minor charges, that thing that you ask for involves some form of sexual activity. Most notable is the fact that you only need to believe that the person you were or are interacting with is a minor.
Law Enforcement
It is very common that these types of charges arise after online exchanges with an individual who is actually working undercover. Law enforcement often frequent online chats or social media circles in order to prevent any actual minor from becoming a target of a predator.
These charges are challenged regularly in the courts due to elements of misinformation, entrapment, or misrepresentation. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer will ensure that you get the defense that you deserve.
Penalties for Solicitation of a Minor in Los Angeles
Solicitation of a minor is usually charged as a misdemeanor offense however it can be charged as a felony in the following instances:
- You have a prior sex crime conviction on your record that required you to register as a sex offender
- You attended the arranged meeting
Misdemeanor penalties for solicitation of a minor include:
- Up to one year in jail
- Up to $5,000 fine
- Probation
- Sex offender registration for 10 years
Felony penalties for solicitation of a minor include:
- 16 months to 3 years in California State Prison
- Probation
- Sex offender registration for life
There are a whole host of components in these solicitation charges in order to formulate your charges and defenses. It’ is common that the charges you face are built around a particular exchange you had online where something you said was taken out of context.
Law Enforcement Narrative
Depending on how law enforcement wants to position your conversation, they may add their own context to the exchange in order to make your conversation more salacious than it was intended to be. The repercussions of the communication can mean an uphill battle but it is one that you should not lose hope in and one that you need to take very seriously.
Don’t Wait, Act Now!! Let Chad Lewin Fight For You: Call Now
Keep in mind, as previously mentioned, NO CONTACT needs to actually have taken place in order for you to be charged with this crime. Do not delay, you need a strong defense now.
Act Quickly, Act Immediately
If you or a loved one is facing a Solicitation of a Minor charge, it is absolutely critical that you take action to protect yourself immediately. You do not have time to waste.
The moment you are arrested, you need to begin building your defense. Whether you get your charges reduced, or dismissed can depend on how early you get help from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
