There has been an explosion of social networking on the internet in the last five years that astounds even some experts. As a result, there are ample opportunities for predators to lure children under 18 into conversations, relationships of trust, and eventual meetings that may result in sexual assault. In order to curb such crimes, legislators have begun imposing more serious penalties on sexual predators, and law enforcement officials have stepped up efforts to stop chatroom luring.
Unfortunately, these efforts also increase the likelyhood that someone may be wrongly accused of such crimes and innocent people may face serious consequences and steep penalties.
Internet Sex Crimes
There are many ways in which sexual predators can use the internet; however, one of the newest and most difficult to detect is when they enter these social networking sites or chatrooms and pose as understanding adults just attempting to help teenagers through difficult relationships with parents and friends. Vulnerable teens that are searching for an sympathetic ear are easy prey, and many have become victims.
One of the primary elements police and sex crimes task forces use to catch internet sexual predators is to enter chat rooms themselves and pose as vulnerable children. If a predator attempts to build a relationship and eventually begins to discuss sexual subjects, investigators can easily find “probable cause” to get search warrants and obtain their address, any criminal records they may have, especially if they are already a registered sex offender, track their e-mail conversations, and even search their homes and seize their computer for additional evidence.
Consequences of Charges
Once the investigating officers believe they have enough evidence, they can charge a suspect with a number of charges, including:
- Enticement
- Solicitation of a minor
- Traveling to meet a minor for sex
- Online enticement of a minor for sex acts
Sentencing and Penalties
Those are serious charges, and although they vary according to state laws, penalties can include:
- From 1 to 20 years in prison
- Fines
- A criminal record
- Loss of professional licenses and security clearances
- Required registration as sex offenders for life
In addition, they may be prohibited from living within a certain distance from daycare facilities, playgrounds, or schools.
Defense Against This Charge
Of course, for those who are not guilty of these crimes, these penalties are even more devastating. With increased pressure to stop sexual predators, law enforcement officials are working harder and sometimes cutting corners in order to obtain convictions. In some cases, innocent people can get caught in police traps, needing a strong defense. There are a number of defenses that a criminal lawyer or sex crimes attorneys can use to help show that suspects were falsely accused, they were entrapped by investigators, their intent was misconstrued by the investigator, and more.
Experienced criminal defense attorneys have the skill to investigate your case thoroughly, both by examining the hard evidence and scrutinizing the computer evidence to find the truth. If there is an element of truth, they can often provide a defense as an alternative to prison or being branded as a registered sex offender. Counseling, lesser penalties, and medical treatment are far better alternatives that a qualified sex offender defense attorney may be able to provide.
