Petersburg Solicitation of a Minor Lawyer
Building a strong defense may be crucial if you were accused of soliciting a minor or a related crime under Virginia law. The penalties for a conviction could be severe and may carry mandatory minimum prison sentences in some cases.
A Petersburg solicitation of a minor lawyer may be able to assist you with your defense and maintain your rights throughout all of your legal proceedings. Speak to an experienced sex crimes attorney to learn your legal options in the case of a criminal allegation.
What Constitutes Solicitation of a Minor
Virginia Code § 18.2-374.3 typically addresses the use of communications system to facilitate certain criminal offenses involving minors. Pursuant to this section, it is illegal to use the US mail, any common carrier, and any electronic communications systems, which may include telephone and the Internet, to procure or promote the use of a minor in any activity that constitutes the offenses of taking indecent liberties with children or producing, publishing, or selling child pornography. This offense is a Class 6 felony under Virginia law. A person accused of solicitation of a minor could speak to a Petersburg lawyer to understand how they were charged, and what their legal options may be.
Children Under Age 15
It is also a Class 5 felony for individuals to use an electronic communications system with lascivious intent to knowingly take certain actions with respect to a child whom they know or have reason to believe is under the age of 15. All of the prohibited activities in this section constitute the crime of taking indecent liberties with children.
There may be enhanced punishments for this offense in some circumstances. If individuals are at least seven years older than the child whom they know or have reason to believe is under the age of 15, they could face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years, ranging up to a total prison sentence of 30 years.
For a second or subsequent conviction of this offense, the mandatory minimum prison sentence could increase to 10 years with a potential maximum prison sentence of 40 years. Penalties for alleged solicitation of a minor may be very harsh, so retaining the services of a Petersburg solicitation of a minor lawyer could be key to protecting a defendant’s freedom.
Children Between 15 and 18
This code section also provides that it is a class 5 felony for any individual who is seven years older than the child to use any communications systems or electronic means with lascivious intent to solicit any child who they know or have reason to believe is between the ages of 15 and 18 for the purpose of committing any of the sexual acts classified as taking indecent liberties with children.
Second or subsequent convictions for this offense may lead to a possibility of 20 years of prison with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year. A solicitation of a minor attorney in Petersburg could help a defendant avoid such harsh penalties for any alleged crimes.
Solicitation of Children Under 18 for Certain Sexually-Based Offenses
It also is a Class 5 felony for individuals who are 18 or older to use a communication system for soliciting any child whom they know or have reason to believe is under 18 for any activity involving prostitution, human trafficking, crimes against nature, or child pornography.
Taking Indecent Liberties with Children
A closely related crime to solicitation of a minor is taking indecent liberties with children, as set forth in Virginia Code § 18.2-370. This criminal offense may occur when individuals over the age of 18 knowingly take any of the following actions with respect to a child under the age of 15, with lascivious intent:
- Expose their sexual parts or genitals or propose that the child expose sexual parts or genitals to them
- Propose that the child feel or fondle their sexual parts or genitals or propose that they feel or fondle the child’s sexual parts or genitals
- Propose to the child that they engage in sexual intercourse or various other sexual acts
- Entice or invite the child to enter a vehicle, room, house, or any other place for the purposes of engaging in one or more of the actions listed above
Taking indecent liberties with children is a Class 5 felony under Virginia law. Second or subsequent violations of this section are Class 4 felonies.
Call a Petersburg Solicitation of a Minor Attorney
The consequences of being accused of solicitation of a minor could be overwhelming and may cost you your job, your family, and your reputation. Even if you are not convicted of a crime, you still may suffer repercussions that may upend your life altogether.
Contact a Petersburg solicitation of a minor lawyer, who may be able to calm your concerns, answer your questions, and help you throughout all of your legal proceedings with compassion and sensitivity.
