Effective Defense Strategies for Solicitation of a Minor Charges in Los Angeles
Navigating the complexities of the legal system can be daunting, especially for those accused of serious offenses such as solicitation of a minor. In Los Angeles, the consequences of such charges can be severe, affecting not only your freedom but also your reputation, employment, and relationships. However, with the right approach and expert legal defense, it is possible to overcome these accusations and move forward with your life.
Defining solicitation of a minor
In line with the Penal Code, solicitation implies:
- Exchanging inappropriate online messages that are meant to sexually satisfy or arouse the other individual
- Attempting to set up a meeting with an individual for sexual purposes
The Penal Code also implies that an individual could be charged and prosecuted for solicitation of a minor, who is 17 years old or younger, even if the arranged meeting did not occur. People, who are charged with this type of crime, must not hesitate and get in touch with a Los Angeles solicitation of a minor attorney.
Challenging the Validity of Evidence
The foundation of any legal defense lies in scrutinizing the evidence presented by the prosecution. A skilled criminal lawyer will meticulously examine the details, seeking inconsistencies or procedural errors that could invalidate the evidence. This could include challenging the legality of how evidence was obtained, such as through unlawful search and seizure, or disputing the reliability and credibility of witness testimonies.
Mistaken Identity and Lack of Intent
Mistaken identity can often be a strong defense in solicitation of a minor cases. In the digital age, identities can easily be confused or misrepresented online. Demonstrating that the accused was not the individual communicating with the minor or that there was no intent to commit an illegal act can be pivotal. Intent is a crucial component of these charges, and proving a lack of intent can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.
Entrapment
Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. If the initiation of the solicitation came from undercover officers rather than the accused, and there was no prior inclination towards such behavior, this defense strategy could be employed. Demonstrating entrapment can lead to the dismissal of charges.
Age Misrepresentation
In some cases, the minor may have misrepresented their age, leading the accused to believe they were communicating with an adult. If it can be shown that the accused had a reasonable belief that the individual was of legal age based on their statements or appearance, this could form a basis for defense.
Seeking Mitigating Circumstances
Even in situations where the evidence against the accused is strong, seeking mitigating circumstances can lead to reduced charges or penalties. Factors such as the accused’s lack of prior criminal history, character references, and the context of the offense can be influential in negotiating a more favorable outcome.
Possible legal punishment
Being convicted for solicitation of a minor may lead to some severe legal consequences:
- Any solicitation conviction can be classified as felony, meaning that penalty could imply up to 2 years in a correctional facility as well as high fines of up to $10 000.
- An individual with multiple convictions could be punished in accordance with a third-degree felony, which implies up to 10 years in a correctional facility as well as heavy fines of up to $10 000.
- Individuals, who were charged and convicted for solicitation of a minor in most cases, will be registered as sex offenders. This record could have a very negative impact on one’s day to day living. Getting decent employment and even finding a place to rent is difficult for people with sex offenses on their records.
Defense Against Solicitation Charges
Seeing that the legal punishment for solicitation of a minor are very harsh and can result in more serious consequences, it is crucial for anyone, who was accused of this crime to get in touch with a qualified as well as experienced attorney at the earliest opportunity. The lawyer will be able to browse through the case, examine all the available evidence and eventually will come up with a decent defense strategy.
Some people are just unlucky enough to find themselves at the wrong place and at the wrong time, others are just fooling around and do not mean anything by their actions. Hence, if that is the case, it is very important to reap all the advantages of a lawyer consultation, during which the Los Angeles solicitation of a minor lawyer will be able to discover more facts about the case and will try to provide you with all the available legal options at once. This is the very best way to deal with the solicitation of minor charges and one must never hesitate to use it. If you need a professional Los Angeles solicitation of a minor lawyer, contact our law offices today.
Related Information: Sex Crimes | Child Molestation