Anaheim Solicitation of a Minor Lawyer

Renowned Success Rate

Criminal cases are often complicated. There are two sides to every story, and it is important that the court sees the situation clearly. We can help defend you in your criminal case and make sure your perspective is heard.

Understanding Solicitation of a Minor Laws

California, as well as the rest of the nation, takes crimes against minors very seriously. One recent federal operation, named Operation Restore Justice, resulted in the arrest of 205 child sexual abuse offenders nationwide, including four in California, and the release of 115 children.

According to California Penal Code § 288.4, solicitation of a minor consists of arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd activities. In California, a person can be convicted of a crime if they make arrangements to meet a person under 18 years of age or a person that the defendant believes to be under the age of 18 for the purpose of: 

• Exposing his or her genitals to the other person
• Engaging in lewd or lascivious conduct with the other person or
• Causing the other person to expose his or her genitals

Keep in mind that you can still be charged even if the act is not carried out. Simply setting up an arrangement is enough to incur a charge.

What Is Considered Solicitation of a Minor?

California Penal Code defines solicitation of a minor as when an adult tries to contact, communicate, or meet with an actual person who is under 18 years of age or reasonably believed to be a minor by the perpetrator, with the intent to meet that person for purposes of sexual activity.

The contact can be through the use of text messages, social media, chat rooms, or even talking to a person in public areas to request, solicit, or plan to meet for the purposes of lewd or lascivious conduct.

Penalties for Solicitation of a Minor

Being charged with solicitation of a minor can lead to serious consequences. Those who are convicted can face severe fines and lengthy prison sentences. Enhancements can further increase penalties, especially if the minor is younger than 14 or if the defendant has prior sex offense convictions.

Collateral penalties follow criminal sentencing. Convictions can result in loss of employment, professional licenses, housing, severe family court issues, and immigration consequences. The lifetime registration and public exposure stigma can often be the harshest punishment of all.

Defenses to Solicitation of a Minor

An Anaheim solicitation of a minor attorney can help you build an appropriate defense tailored to your specific situation. Some common defenses include:

• Lack of intent
• Did not know or believe that the other person was a minor
• Entrapment
• Lack of evidence
• Violation of constitutional rights
• Procedural issues

When you hire a solicitation of a minor lawyer, they can help you formulate the proper defense for your case.