Alabama Child Enticement Laws

Alabama’s child enticement laws are pretty comprehensive and cover a number of situations that include enticing a child to sexually illicit action.  Specifically, for a defendant in Alabama to be convicted of child enticement they must be found to do the following:

• Act with lavicious intent to entice, allure, persuade, invite a child that is under 16 years old,
• To enter a vehicle, room, house, office, or other place
• For the purpose of doing any of the following:
• An act which constitutes the offense of sodomy
• For the purpose of proposing the fondling
• Feeling of the sexual or genital parts of such child or the breast of the child,
• For the purpose of committing an aggravated assault on such child,
• For the purpose of proposing that such child fondle or feel the sexual or genital parts of such person

Penalties for Child Enticement in Alabama

Alabama’s criminal code classifies child enticement as a Class C Felony.  Class C felonies carries a maximum prison term of 10 years and minimum of one year and a day, along with a fine that isn’t greater than $15,000.  Hard labor is also a requirement for all felony crimes.  Defendants will also be required to register as sex offenders.

Defense of Child Enticement in Alabama

Defendants that have been charged with child enticement will be able to assert a number of defenses that could have the effect of absolving them of liability if they are applicable to the particular defendant’s situation.  Possible defenses include:

• severe mental disease or defect
• Involuntary intoxication
• Person being charged is under the age of 14

Attempted Child Enticement in Alabama

Attempting a crime can carry pretty stiff penalties of its own.  In order to be found guilty of attempt they must be found to have acted with intent to commit child enticement and also acted with purpose towards actually committing the offense.  This could mean taking a number of steps toward the offense without actually going thru with it. Even if the crime could not be factually or legally possible, a person could still be convicted of attempt.  The penalty associated with attempt of child enticement is a class a misdemeanor that the maximum fine is $6000 and maximum year in prison.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

When you believe you are about to be charged with child enticement or after you have been arrested, your very next step should be to contact a licensed attorney in your area.  Only an attorney can guide you thru the criminal procedure maze and make sure that your rights and defenses are properly protected.