Online solicitation was brought to the forefront by Dateline NBC. Online solicitation is when an adult (over the age of 18), solicits, lures, or entices, or attempts to solicit, lure, or entice a minor (under the age of 18) to commit a sexual act. The crime is complete under Florida law, when the solicitation, luring, enticing, or attempt is complete. An actual meeting between the minor and the subject is not required for the government to charge an individual with online solicitation. However, most jurisdictions will attempt to setup a meeting between the subject and the minor in order to quash some potential defenses that would otherwise be available to the subject.

Under Florida State Statutes and most other jurisdictions, Solicitation of a Minor is a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison for each solicitation made. Therefore, the government can charge multiple counts for the same series of discussions a subject has with a minor.

Now under State law, the legislature has created a new offense for those who actually meet a minor. Those who travel any distance for the purpose of meeting a minor for sexual activity is now punishable as a 2nd degree felony, by up to 15 years in prison.

Furthermore, the legislature has made it clear that individuals, be it law enforcement or civilians, may pose as minors online and that alone is not entrapment.

There are a lot of different avenues that can be explored when trying to defend an online solicitation of a minor case. Don't delay; let an experienced former CYBER CRIME prosecutor help protect your good name and reputation. Call today or contact us online for a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION.

For more information, see Florida Statute 847.0135: Computer pornography; traveling to meet minor; penalties