Soliciting a minor is a serious crime that carries strict penalties. The legal system works hard to protect children, so any crime involving a minor will result in harsh justice. If you are facing charges related to solicitation of a minor in Minnesota, you need the help of an experienced attorney.
Understanding Solicitation of a Minor Charges
Solicitation of a minor refers to any attempt to pursue a sexual encounter with an individual under the age of eighteen. This can include a wide variety of behavior, including texting, emailing, or online chatting in a sexually suggestive way with a minor. In most cases, solicitation of a minor occurs when there is the potential of meeting the minor victim at some point.
In Minnesota, you don’t have to be aware of a person’s age in order to be charged with solicitation of a minor. Even if you think someone is over the age of eighteen, you can still be charged with a sex crime if the individual is too young. There are also many cases in which law enforcement uses entrapment in order to get older individuals to engage in these sexually suggestive conversations.
Regardless of your actual intentions, and whether or not you knew the age of the victim, solicitation of a minor can lead to severe consequences. A felony conviction can result in up to twenty years in prison. Additionally, you will have to enter into the national sex offender registry. Oftentimes, this will require participation in monthly programs that can cost hundreds of dollars.
Solicitation of a Minor Defense Lawyer
A solicitation of a minor charge is very serious and shouldn’t be handled alone. As soon as you are aware of a charge against you, it’s essential that you contact a qualified defense lawyer. Solicitation of a minor is a crime that is typically prosecuted aggressively, so you can’t afford to wait to start strategizing about a defense.
Your defense lawyer will gather the evidence necessary to help you get your charges reduced – or even dropped. With an experienced and qualified attorney on your side, you can minimize the penalties, or even completely avoid a conviction or punishment. If you don’t have a lawyer, you may end up facing the maximum sentence – even if you had no intention of pursuing sexual activity with a minor. You may never be able to recover from the long-term effects caused by a solicitation of a minor conviction. A conviction will require registration on the national sex offender list, which may prevent you from finding employment, living in certain neighborhoods, or developing healthy relationships. Fortunately, you don’t have to fight against these charges alone.
Always A Free Consultation
If you are charged with solicitation of a minor, you need attorneys with real experience. At the Brown Law Offices, P.A., we have helped many clients obtain the best possible outcome. Our attorneys work hard on your case, regardless of the accusations you face. Don’t let a conviction for solicitation of a minor destroy your future. Call us today at 763-323-6555, or complete our online form for a free consultation.