Sex crimes are among the most serious criminal charges a person can face in North Carolina. Of these, an accusation of soliciting a minor is one of the most damaging. In addition to possible prison time, a conviction for soliciting a minor might mean having to register as a sex offender.
If you’ve been accused of soliciting a minor, you need a reliable, experienced attorney. The Raleigh sex crimes lawyers at Kurtz & Blum are here to help. We can provide an aggressive defense on your behalf.
Our Raleigh criminal defense attorneys have more than a half-century of combined legal experience. Our collaborative approach to tough cases means you can reap the benefit of our collective knowledge. Get a confidential consultation with our team by calling our Raleigh office or visiting our contact page today.
What Is Solicitation of a Minor?
The key North Carolina law regarding solicitation of a minor is North Carolina General Statutes Section 14-202.3, which defines computer solicitation of a minor. The law states that a person is guilty of solicitation of a minor if they:
- Are 16 years of age or older
- Use a computer or other device to intentionally entice, coerce, or persuade a child under age 16 into an unlawful sex act
- The child is at least five years younger than the adult, or the adult believes the child is five years younger than them
Potential Penalties for Solicitation of a Minor
The potential penalties for solicitation of a minor are steep in North Carolina. This offense is a Class H felony in North Carolina, which carries a maximum penalty of 39 months imprisonment.
If you’re convicted of this crime, you might also have to register as a sex offender. This will prevent you from living in certain neighborhoods. It could also impact your job, your social life, and your ability to spend time with your own children.
Criminal Defense of Solicitation of a Minor
Law enforcement agencies have broad powers to monitor and track your Internet habits if you’re suspected of trying to solicit a minor. That makes defending against these charges difficult. That said, there are strategies you can use if you’re accused of these crimes.
You may be able to avoid a conviction if your solicitation of a minor attorney can successfully show that the state does not have sufficient evidence to prove your guilt. To secure a conviction, the prosecution must show that you committed each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest legal burden to meet. It requires the prosecution to show your guilt beyond doubt that is based on common sense and reason, depending on the evidence presented at trial. An experienced Raleigh criminal defense attorney can craft a customized legal strategy that pokes holes in the government’s case against you.
Additionally, a Raleigh sex crimes lawyer can try to challenge the admission of evidence that was obtained illegally. If law enforcement did not secure a proper search warrant or acted outside of a warrant’s scope, a lawyer can try to have this evidence suppressed at trial, seriously weakening the prosecution’s case.
Another possible defense to this type of crime is false accusations. Someone may claim you committed this offense when you are really innocent. Someone may have hacked your computer and impersonated you in order to commit a crime. In these types of situations, it may be necessary to hire a cyber crime expert who can show that hacking possibly occurred.
Since many solicitation of a minor cases are based on a sting operation, another possible defense to these crimes may be entrapment. Entrapment occurs when law enforcement uses fraud or trickery to persuade someone to do something they otherwise would not have done.
Every case is different and depends on the particular circumstances involved. If you are accused of solicitation of a minor or a similar crime, a child sex crimes lawyer can advise you on the potential defenses that you might be able to raise.
How Kurtz & Blum Can Help
Being accused of a serious sex crime can have dramatic consequences for your future. To protect yourself and make your defense as smooth as possible, get help from a sex crimes lawyer at Kurtz & Blum. We’ll evaluate the charges against you to identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as a lack of evidence or evidence of entrapment.
We can be there for you every step of the way to explain what’s happening, outline your options, and vigorously defend your rights. Should your case go to court, we’ll prepare a thorough defense on your behalf and make a strong argument for acquittal. As your legal advocates, we will work with you to determine the best possible outcome for your case and work to achieve it.
Our law firm has been in place since 1998. Our Raleigh criminal defense attorneys have more than 50 years of combined legal experience. We have successfully defended clients facing serious criminal charges, including a wide range of sex crimes charges. Our experience has helped us understand and anticipate the strategies prosecutors use so that we can better defend our clients.
Don’t wait to talk to one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys. Get a confidential consultation by calling our Raleigh office, filling out our contact form, or speaking with our live chat service.
