New Orleans Online Solicitation of a Minor Attorney
Under Louisiana law, the crime of Online Solicitation of a Minor is legally referred to as Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor. Many people who are arrested for solicitation of a minor have made one bad decision in a split second and gotten caught up in a sting operation where a police officer will pose as a minor and target people online. The officer will then entice a person to suggest meeting up with the minor.
Criminal cases involving online solicitation of a minor have exploded in recent years because of the rise of the rise of apps, social media, and chat rooms. State and federal governments have cyber crime units for the sole purpose of finding potential child predators. Our New Orleans Online Solicitation Attorney, Elizabeth B. Carpenter, knows that not everyone arrested for this crime is a pedophile or child predator.
Just being accused of online solicitation of a minor in Louisiana can cause irreversible damage to your reputation and livelihood. In the eyes of public opinion, someone who is arrested for a Louisiana sex crime is guilty until proven innocent. They need an experienced New Orleans Sex Crimes Attorney to help them fight these battles.
Elizabeth B. Carpenter is a New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney who would like the chance to listen to your story and discuss your options. She has the necessary skills and dedication to serve as your advocate. Contact: 504-599-5955
What is Online Solicitation of a Minor in Louisiana?
According to Louisiana law, the crime of computer-aided solicitation of a minor is a sex crime that occurs in the following circumstances:
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- An individual who 17 years old or older knowingly communicates online with a person who is under the age of 17 or with a person believed to be under the age of 17. This contact is made for the purpose of persuading, enticing, or coercing the minor to engage or participate in sexual conduct or a crime of violence.
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- An individual who is 17 years old or older knowingly contacts or communicates online with a person who is under the age of 17 or with a person believed to be under 17 and the age difference is more than 2 years. This contact is made for the purpose of persuading, enticing, or coercing the minor to engage or participate in sexual conduct or a crime of violence.
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- An individual who is 17 years old or older knowingly contacts or communicates online with a person who is under the age of 17 or with a person believed to be under the age of 17. This contact is made for the purpose of recruiting or coercing the minor person to engage in commercial sexual activity.
Penalties for Online Solicitation of a Minor in Louisiana
This offense is always a felony. A conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years and a maximum 10 years in prison without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. It also requires mandatory registration as a sex offender, a status that can strip you of many basic rights.
Defending computer-aided solicitation of a minor charges
Online solicitation of a minor cases can be complex because they involve a lot of data. Hiring a computer forensic expert to review this data is key to an investigation. An experienced New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney may be able to reduce or eliminate your charges. Sometimes police officer posing as a minor cross the line from a legitimate investigator into entrapment, violating the accused’s’ rights. Prosecutors must prove knowledge and intent in computer-aided solicitation cases. Some questions to ask yourself:
- Did you receive a photo from the minor?
- Did it appear that the minor was older than 16?
- Did the person claim to be chatting on behalf of the minor?
- Did the alleged victim use language that would suggest that he was older than the actual age cited by law enforcement?
- Did the chat involve sexual topics or fantasies?
Contact: New Orleans Solicitation of a Minor Attorney
If you are under investigation or have been arrested for Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor in Louisiana, our sex crimes defense attorney would like the opportunity to hear your story and defend you. Please contact our office 504-599-5955.