Rhode Island Child Enticement Laws

Rhode Island child enticement laws address a comprehensive set of illegal communications between an adult and a child.  The criminal statute is geared towards protecting minors from being contacted for illegal purposes.  In Rhode Island, a person over the age of 18 will be convicted of child solicitation if the following elements can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt:

• Knowingly solicits, entices, urges, or requests another person
• Via written, telephonic or electronic communication
• Under eighteen (18) years of age or one whom he or she believes is a person under eighteen (18) years of age
• For the purpose of engaging in an act of prostitution or in any illegal sexual act

Penalties for Child Enticement Rhode Island

A person that is convicted of child enticement or indecent solicitation shall be guilty of a felony.  He or she will have to serve no more than five years.  Defendants will also have to register as a sexual offender.

Defense of Child Enticement in Rhode Island

A defendant that has been charged with online solicitation of a minor 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 Rhode Island

A person will be found guilty of attempt to entice of child if acting with the intent to commit the crime, he or she take substantial acts towards completing the crime of child enticement.   Substantial acts are considered those that are strongly correlated to the person’s state of mind to complete the crime. 

When to Talk to a Lawyer

Getting the help of an attorney is imperative when you have been charged with a crime.  Only a licensed attorney in your area can offer you the guidance and advice you will need to preserve your rights and defenses at law.  Facing a prison term can be daunting, make sure you have a lawyer by your side.