West Covina Solicitation of a Minor Defense Attorney
What is Solicitation of a Minor?
Solicitation of a minor is defined as contacting a minor under the age of 18 and planning a meeting for unlawful sexual contact. It is easy for others to misunderstand your intentions. Plus, the court can find you guilty of soliciting a minor even if you never touched the victim. In addition to this, you could also face federal charges and life-changing penalties for using the internet to solicit a minor in West Covina.
You need an advocate who sticks by your side and fights to prove your innocence. We have a team of top sex crime attorneys in West Covina, ready to help you! Receive your free consultation by calling us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL!
West Covina Prosecution Solicitation of a Minor | PC 288.4
West Covina prosecutors take a firm stand against sex crimes involving minors, so you should expect to face felony charges and aggressive prosecution. However, our skilled attorneys at Wallin & Klarich will work hard to get your charges reduced to a misdemeanor. For example, if you have a clean criminal history, we can show this to the prosecutor during our negotiations.
We’ll also employ multiple strategies to challenge every element of the crime. The prosecution must prove the following to convict you of soliciting a minor :
- You set up a meeting with a minor or a person believed to be a minor for illegal sexual conduct.
- Your motivation was an unnatural sexual attraction to children.
- You showed up at the arranged meeting location and time.
Federal Prosecution for Solicitation of a Minor | USC 2422-2423
Federal prosecution for solicitation of a minor is highly aggressive. Depending on your charges and the facts of the case, you could face decades behind bars. The U.S. Attorney general can file charges against you for using the internet, mail, or traveling to another state for unlawful sex with a minor. A federal conviction carries significantly harsher penalties. For a conviction according to USC 24221 and 2423, the Attorney General must prove you committed any of the following:
- Attempted to convince or persuade a minor to travel to another state or country to engage in unlawful sex or prostitution
- Used the mail, internet, or phone to contact the minor and coax them to meet for unlawful sexual conduct.
- Intentionally transported the minor to another state or country for unlawful sex.
- Intentionally traveled to another state or country to engage in illegal sexual conduct with the minor.
Penalties for Solicitation of a Minor| What You’re Facing
The legal penalties for solicitation of a minor can destroy your reputation and ruin your future. Our attorneys will fight to help you avoid sex offender registration and years behind bars. We’ve summarized the penalties for solicitation of a minor in West Covina below to give you a better understanding of what you face.
Misdemeanor Solicitation of a Minor
- A year in jail
- A fine of up to $5,000
- Sex offender registration
Felony Solicitation of a Minor
- 2 to 4 years in prison
- A fine of up to $5,000
- Sex offender registration
Federal Penalties for Solicitation of a Minor
You can face a range of harsh federal penalties for solicitation of a minor, depending on the circumstances of your case. That’s why it’s vital to consult with our skilled sex crime attorneys at Wallin & Klarich as soon as possible. We have years of experience successfully representing federal cases. As outlined under USC 2422 and 2423, the court can sentence you to the following federal penalties for solicitation of a minor:
- 10 years to life in federal prison for soliciting or transporting a minor for unlawful sexual activity
- 40 years in prison for going to another state or country for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
- 10 years to life in prison for “sex trafficking” a minor
- 15 years to life in prison for “sex trafficking” a minor under the age of 14
- Local sex offender registration in California or the state in which you live
- Lifetime federal sex offender registration, depending on the facts of your case
Consult with our knowledgeable West Covina attorneys to learn more about the specific penalties you face and how we can help win your case. Call us today for your free consultation!
Professional and Personal Consequences
Being accused of soliciting a minor can also disrupt your personal and professional life. Those close to you may even distance themselves and question your innocence, making you feel lost and alone. With the possibility of prison looming over your head, it is difficult to know where to turn for help. Though your options may seem slim, you can defeat your criminal case and take back your reputation with the help of an experienced sex crime attorney.
Our skilled attorneys understand what it takes to win your case with 40+ years of experience defending clients accused of state and federal sex crimes. When you hire us, you’ll have a knowledgeable legal team backing your defense, including top investigators and a network of experts. Plus, we can give you straightforward answers to your most difficult questions. Call Wallin & Klarich today and consult with our skilled solicitation attorneys for free!
Defense Strategies For Solicitation of a Minor Charges
When someone accuses you of a serious crime like solicitation of a minor, a subpar defense lawyer is not an option. By hiring a leading defense firm, your chances of avoiding prison increase dramatically. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys put your interests first. We let you know all available options so you can have a say in the legal process. With a specialization in sex crime defense law for over 40 years, we understand the most effective defense strategies for solicitation of a minor and the best way to present them in court. Below, you’ll find some of the top defenses we may use on your behalf.
Entrapment
Many lawyers attempt to argue entrapment in cases involving sting operations without success. However, our attorneys understand when this defense applies and how to present it in court successfully.
First, we will investigate the interactions between you and the officer to determine if the officer pressured you into committing the crime. For example, the “minor” asks you to meet, but you repeatedly rejecting those requests could be considered entrapment. Then, they beg you to help them get out of a dangerous situation. If we find instances of the officer pressuring you, your Wallin & Klarich attorney will craft a solid entrapment defense and fight to get your case dismissed.
False Accusations
Unfortunately, many clients are falsely accused of sex crimes, like soliciting minors. Sometimes parents or investigators misunderstand the circumstances and jump to conclusions. However, we’ve helped numerous clients prove their innocence.
Suppose you’re talking to a young woman online who tells you she’s 18 but is actually 17. However, during an argument with her parents, the teen lies and tells them she plans to run away with you. The police arrest you for solicitation of a minor. We could argue that the teen made this up out of anger and that you never arranged to meet up or engage in unlawful sex with the minor.
Good Faith – Belief of Age
We could also show evidence of your reasonable belief that the victim was 18 or older. For example, the alleged victim showed you a fake ID and took significant steps to appear older.
We can also attempt to get your charges dropped or reduced by presenting this argument to the prosecutor before trial. Call our office today and find out how we can help you win your case!
Hiring A Skilled Defense Attorney | How We Can Assist You
Serious accusations require a skilled and experienced defense attorney. With 40+ years of experience, Wallin & Klarich stands out among the crowd of West Covina criminal defense firms. Our attorneys specialize in defending clients accused of soliciting minors, and we understand the most effective defense strategies. You should consider many factors when choosing a criminal defense lawyer. However, some of the key characteristics that set us apart include:
- Loyal Advocates
- Skilled Negotiators
- Solid Record for 40+ Years
- Specialized Legal Knowledge
Your Loyal Advocates | The Wallin & Klarich Difference
Loyalty is hard to find. Unfortunately, many law firms treat clients like case numbers rather than real people. At Wallin & Klarich, we believe you deserve respect and dedication. But we don’t just say it; we show it through our devotion to your defense and our interactions with you. Our attorneys promptly address all of your concerns because we never want you to feel dismissed or unheard. Rest assured, our communication with you will always be straightforward and genuine. With Wallin & Klarich at your side, you can walk into court confident that we have your best interests in mind. Moreover, we’ll be prepared to put up our strongest fight.
Skilled Negotiators | 40+ Years of Success
Wallin & Klarich has a history of success spanning 40+ years. We’ve obtained the best possible results in complex sex crime cases and helped our clients avoid spending time behind bars. Their stories stand as a testament to our skilled legal negotiation. More importantly, they renew our motivation to defend others falsely accused in West Covina. Our passion for helping clients has not wavered in over four decades and counting. Discover how our skilled negotiators can help you win your solicitation of a minor case in West Covina, CA. Contact us today, toll-free at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free consultation with an experienced, local sex crimes attorney.
When you need us, we will be here.
Wallin & Klarich Newsworthy Legal Strategies
Many attorneys point to their experience or skill in defending sex crime cases, but our attorneys have delivered tangible results in many complex legal dilemmas. Over the past 40+ years, many of our legal battles have captured the media’s attention. Television, newspapers, and the digital world have covered some of our most notable moments. We encourage you to explore our newsworthy cases below to learn more about our law firm.