Ohio Child Enticement Laws

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Ohio’s child enticement laws are in place to protect children from being solicited for illegal purposes via digital methods.  A person can be found guilty of child enticement if he or she is over the age of 18 and is found to have committed the following:

• With or without knowledge of the minor child’s age
• Entice solicit, or lure
• Via a communication or digital device
• A minor child under the age of 13
• To engage in sexual activity or conduct.

Penalties for Child Enticement Ohio

A person convicted of child enticement shall be guilty of a third degree felony, and shall face a penalty of a minimum of one year and a maximum of five.  Defendant will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Defense of Child Enticement in Ohio

A defendant that has been charged with enticing a child will have available a number of defenses.  These defenses if asserted correctly could absolve the defendant of any criminal liability:

• Duress or compulsion where a person engages in criminal conduct due to threat of imminent death, or seriously bodily injury, or force.
• Ignorance to or mistake as a mater of fact that negates the element of intent to commit the crime
• Involuntary intoxication that results in lack of capacity to appreciate right from wrong
• Mental disease, defect, or insanity

Attempted Child Enticement in Ohio

A person can be found guilty of attempted child enticement if they take a step to commit the crime with the intent of committing the crime.  The step must strongly show that the defendant would have completed the crime of child enticement if they could have.  This most often will occur in the situation where a defendant acts with intent to entice a minor that actually is a law enforcement officer.  A defendant will be able to defend against an attempt charge if the defendant voluntarily abandoned any efforts towards committing the crime.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

Anytime you are facing criminal charges, one of the first steps you should take is to procure the services of an attorney.  A licensed attorney in your state with criminal defense experience can assist you in asserting any defenses and protecting your rights.