Orange County Solicitation of a Minor Lawyer

Defending Against Solicitation of a Minor Allegations

There tend to be three possible viable approaches to successfully defending individuals facing solicitation of a minor charges. The defense options available in your case will depend on your unique circumstances.

Attorney Goodman in Orange County may be able to combat solicitation of a minor allegations by proving:

• You had no intention of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. Sometimes an adult will arrange a meeting with a minor for genuine, non-sexual reasons. Law enforcement may arrest without knowing the full story.
• You did not know the person you were meeting was a minor. If the minor misrepresented their age, never discussed their age, or used photos that suggested they were a legal adult, it will likely be tough for the prosecution to prove that you were aware you were arranging a meeting with a minor.
• You were entrapped. “Entrapment” refers to a scenario where someone is compelled to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. This can occur if a law enforcement officer posing as a minor aggressively encourages or pressures you into arranging a meeting. If it can be proven that you were likely entrapped, the charges against you can be dismissed.

These allegations do not have to permanently alter the course of your life. Schedule a confidential consultation by calling (657) 571-2266 or filling out an online contact form today.

What Is Considered “Solicitation of a Minor” in California?

Put simply, attempting to arrange a meeting of a sexual nature with a minor (anyone under the age of 18) is considered a criminal offense in California. The specifics or extent of the intended sexual activity do not matter, and any plans do not even need to be made explicit. If there is reason to believe that the meeting is likely for sexual purposes, law enforcement may have what they need to make an arrest.

The relative anonymity of the Internet can make it difficult to know who you are actually talking to online. That inability to directly confirm someone’s age, identity, or intentions can prove crucial in these cases. To be convicted of this offense, the prosecution must show that you deliberately attempted to arrange a meeting with someone you knew to be a minor. If you did not know the person you were attempting to meet with was a minor, you have not committed this crime. Furthermore, you have not committed a crime if you can demonstrate that you never intended to engage in sexual activity with a minor you arranged a meeting with.

Some law enforcement agencies have devoted significant resources to “sting” operations that target online solicitors of minors. In these operations, a law enforcement officer poses as a minor and tries to catch solicitors attempting to meet for sexual purposes, giving them the evidence needed to arrest them. Incredibly, you can be arrested for solicitation of a minor even if you were not actually soliciting someone under the age of 18. Simply believing you were soliciting a minor is enough to trigger criminal charges.

These cases can be complicated, especially if you were arrested after a sting operation. When facing these allegations, you need an Orange County solicitation of a minor attorney who can walk you through the charges brought against you and start evaluating potential defense strategies.

What Are the Penalties for a Solicitation of a Minor Conviction in California?

Solicitation of a minor is a “wobbler” offense in California, meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. If you have no prior criminal history and there are no aggravating factors in the case, prosecutors may only charge you with a misdemeanor. If you do have any criminal history, even if prior offenses are not sex crimes, you could face felony charges.

Penalties for misdemeanor solicitation of a minor include:

• Up to 1 year of jail time
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Probation

Punishments for felony solicitation of a minor include:

• Up to 3 years of prison time
• Up to $10,000 in fines

If you are convicted of misdemeanor or felony solicitation of a minor, you will also be obligated to register as a sex offender. Misdemeanor charges require a minimum of 10 years of registration, while convicted felons must remain registered for life.

The risk of becoming a registered sex offender is just one of many reasons why you should get in touch with The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman as soon as you can after an arrest. Attorney Goodman is a seasoned Orange County solicitation of a minor lawyer who will fight to protect your future from start to finish.