Knoxville, Tennessee Online Solicitation Defense Attorney

Dedicated Internet Crimes Attorney Serving Individuals in Knoxville, TN

Internet crimes have been on the rise since home wifi became standard. One of the more serious offenses that can be committed over the internet is online solicitation of a minor. Soliciting a minor to engage in a sex act or produce child pornography is a felony sex offense. If convicted, you could face serious prison time, and you willhave to register as a sex offender. You will face restrictions on where you can live and what kind of work you can do. This is the kind of criminal conviction that ruins lives.

The Baker Law Firm is equally committed to every client we serve. Attorney Lance K. Baker is highly experienced in complex felony cases. We are committed to providing you with the best defense possible.

Online Solicitation of a Minor Charges Explained

Online solicitation of a minor is broadly defined as an adult 18 years old or older inviting, commanding, hiring, requesting, persuading, or trying to induce a person under 18 years old to engage in any sexual conduct that would constitute a sex crime if it were carried out. This includes attempting to get a minor to produce images or videos that would be considered child pornography. Even having a sexually explicit conversation with a minor over the internet can be considered solicitation.

In many cases involving accusations of online solicitation of a minor, the "child victim" often turns out to be an undercover police officer. This does not affect the case - it only matters whether the defendant reasonably believed they were talking to a minor.

Charges of online solicitation of a minor may be even more serious if:

• You allegedly attempted to meet the minor in person to engage in sex acts.
• The child involved was younger than 13 years old.
• The child involved allegedly produced child pornography at your request.
• You allegedly engaged in a sex act with the minor and are facing additional charges for statutory rape, sexual assault, child molestation, or a similar offense.

Defenses to Online Solicitation of a Minor

A few possible defenses to charges of soliciting a minor over the internet include:

• Reasonable mistake of age - To be convicted of soliciting a minor, the state must be able to prove that you reasonably should have known the person you were communicating with was under the age of 18. If you reasonably believed that you were talking to another adult, you may have a defense. For example, if you never discussed your exact ages, but the alleged victim looked like an adult, you may be able to use this defense.
• Closeness in age - If the alleged victim was less than four years younger than you, it is likely that the sexual conduct discussed would not constitute a sex crime under Tennessee law.
• Lack of solicitation - Not all discussions that pertain to sexual matters amount to solicitation. For example, if you were answering a minor's questions in an educational manner and did not talk about actually carrying out the acts being discussed, you may not have committed a crime.
• Entrapment - If a law enforcement officer posing as a minor made repeated and unreasonable efforts to goad you into sexual conversations or acts, you may be able to use the defense of entrapment. However, if the law enforcement officer merely approached you with the offer of a sexual conversation, you probably do not have an entrapment defense.

Contact a Knoxville, Tennessee Online Solicitation Attorney

The Baker Law Firm is committed to providing the best criminal defense services possible. If you are facing charges related to online solicitation of a minor, contact us at 865-200-4117 for a complimentary consultation.