The rise of the computer and internet age has given rise to new legislation used to target individuals who use the internet, chat rooms and other modes of communication to solicit and entice children into sexual relations. In an effort to keep children safe, law enforcement departments have created task forces across the state to set up, arrest and prosecute individuals involved in committing criminal offense against children. The Miami criminal defense lawyers at DMT have represented many defendant arrested and charged as a result of getting caught up in undercover sting operations throughout the State of Florida. The charges set forth below are not only humiliating, but can have an everlasting impact on one’s family and employment opportunities. Due to the serious ramifications of being charged with such an offense, it is imperative to retain a criminal defense law firm with the requisite experience and knowledge to protect your rights and future.

Traveling to meet a minor occurs when an individual knowingly and intentionally travels for the purpose of committing or engaging in any illegal act set forth in the sexual battery, lewd and lascivious or child abuse statutes or other unlawful sexual conduct after contacting a child via a computer on-line service, the internet, on-line bulletin board or other device capable of transmission. The defendant must have contacted a child or a person he or she believed to be a child with the intent to lure, seduce or entice the victim to engage in any illegal sexual act or other unlawful sexual conduct. As seen on Dateline, the fact that an undercover officer set up an individual does not constitute a defense even if a minor was not involved in the commission of the crime. A defendant charged with traveling to meet a minor faces a 2nd degree felony punishable up to 15 years in prison.

Transmission of pornography to a minor requires an individual to transmit obscene material to a minor. The Florida Statutes defines pornography in detail contained in approximately 15 subparagraphs. Transmitting is the act of sending and causing to be delivered images or information via the internet or any other medium that used electronic equipment or devices. Anyone arrested for this offense can be charged with a with a third degree felony punishable up to five years in prison.

Solicitation of a minor occurs when a defendant knowingly used a computer on-line service, internet service, local bulletin board service or other electronic storage or transmission service to contact a child with the intent to commit an illegal act as set forth in the sexual battery, lewd and lascivious or child abuse statutes or other unlawful sexual conduct. The individual must have contacted or child or a person to believed to be a child and seduced, solicited, lured or enticed someone under the age of 18 to commit a sexual act. As is the case with the traveling to meet a minor charge, law enforcement can pose as minors without damaging their case. It should be noted that law enforcement may sometimes set up a meeting with a minor in an effort to avoid an entrapment defense. A defendant charged with this offense faces a third degree felony and even a second degree felony if the accused misrepresented his or her age.

If you are under investigation for, or have been arrested and charged with a child sexual offense of any type, contact the Miami criminal lawyers at DMT. An experienced criminal attorney is available every day of the year, 24 hours a day to speak with you regarding your situation. Allow us the opportunity to help protect your rights and defend you case and you will not be disappointed. You can call our office at (305) 444-0030 or reach us by completing the form on our contact page or by sending an e-mail.