Washington Child Enticement Laws

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Washington laws are pretty broad in addressing the crime of child enticement.  The statute is written in a manner that will cover any type of communication be it electronic, digital, or in person that is geared towards instigating illegal contact w with a minor child.  In order for a person to be convicted of child enticement he or she must be over the age of 18 and be proven to have engaged in the following conduct:

• Communicates with a minor for immoral purposes or
• Communicates with someone the person believed to be a minor
• For immoral purposes.

Penalties for Child Enticement Washington

A defendant that is convicted of child enticement shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and will have to serve a maximum of one year in jail and face a fine of not more than $5,000.  If the person has been convicted of child enticement previously they will be guilty of a class C felony, which is punishable by imprisonment for a maximum of five years or a fine in the maximum amount of $10,000.

Defense of Child Enticement in Washington

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
• That the defendant was engaged in research activity at an institution of higher learning
• Defendant is a minor child less than 14 years
• Defendant was 14, 15, 16, or 17 years old when he committed the illegal conduct
• Renunciation of the crime in intent and action

Attempted Child Enticement in Washington

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.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

Getting in contact with a lawyer after you have been charged with child enticement is imperative.  Only an attorney licensed to practice law in your state can provide you with the legal advice and expertise you will need to preserve your rights and defenses.