Frisco, TX Online Solicitation of a Minor Lawyers

Skilled Attorneys Addressing Accusations of Inappropriate Communication With Minors in Frisco, Texas

Accusations that a person has communicated with a minor online in a sexually explicit manner or attempted to meet the minor in order to engage in sexual activities can be very serious. The legal consequences of these offenses can be severe, and accusations can also damage a person's reputation and their standing in the community. These charges may be related to text messages, emails, social media exchanges, or other online activities, and they carry the potential for lengthy prison sentences and mandatory sex offender registration.

If you are under investigation or have been charged with online solicitation of a minor, the attorneys at Barbieri Law Firm can take immediate action to protect you. We understand the complex legal issues that may affect cases involving digital communication, as well as the aggressive tactics law enforcement may use during investigations. We will work to identify flaws in the prosecution's case, protect your rights, and help you resolve your case successfully

What Is Online Solicitation of a Minor in Texas?

Texas Penal Code §33.021 addresses the solicitation of minors over the internet or using digital communications. A person may be charged with this offense if they are accused of intentionally communicating in a sexually explicit manner with a minor under the age of 17, including by using language that describes sexual conduct or sharing images or other sexually explicit materials. This offense also addresses situations where a person attempts to meet a minor for the purpose of engaging in intercourse or other forms of sexual contact.

Importantly, this law applies even if the communication occurs with someone posing as a minor, such as an undercover officer. If a person allegedly believed that the person they were communicating with was a minor, they could be charged with online solicitation of a minor, even if no actual child was involved or if an actual meeting never occurred.

Penalties for Online Solicitation of a Minor

Online solicitation of a minor involving communicating in a sexually explicit manner is usually classified as a third-degree felony. A conviction for this offense could result in a sentence of two to 10 years in prison. If an offense allegedly involved a minor under the age of 14, second-degree felony charges may apply, and a person could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Cases involving attempts to meet a minor are classified as second-degree felonies. In cases where a person is accused of communicating with a minor that they knew was enrolled in primary or secondary school, and their communications with the minor took place during school hours, the charges will be increased to the next higher category of felony.

Examples of Situations That May Lead to Online Solicitation Charges

People may be charged with online solicitation of a minor in a variety of situations, including:

• A person is accused of sending sexually suggestive messages to someone they believed to be a minor on social media platforms, messaging apps, or dating websites.
• A person is accused of participating in online chat rooms and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with someone who claims to be underage.
• A person is accused of attempting to arrange a meeting with someone they believed to be a minor for the purpose of sexual activity.
• A person is accused of exchanging explicit photos or videos with someone they believed to be under 17.

In many cases, a single conversation or isolated message may be enough to trigger an arrest. Law enforcement officers may work undercover, posing as minors and attempting to identify and charge suspected offenders.

Defense Strategies in Online Solicitation Cases

Cases involving accusations of online solicitation can be complex, and digital evidence and perceived intent can play a role in the charges a person may face. The attorneys at Barbieri Law Firm take a detailed and aggressive approach to defending clients who have been charged with these crimes. We focus on protecting our clients' constitutional rights and addressing unlawful law enforcement procedures. Some possible defense strategies we may use include:

• Lack of Intent: The prosecution must prove that a person intentionally engaged in sexually explicit communication with a minor or intended to solicit a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes. Our attorneys may take steps to show that messages were taken out of context, that communications were not sexually motivated, or that a person believed that they were communicating with an adult rather than a minor.
• Entrapment: If law enforcement officers induced a person to commit an offense they otherwise would not have committed, an entrapment defense may apply. We can help determine whether sting operations conducted by officers involved manipulative or coercive tactics or otherwise violated a person's rights.
• Unlawful Search or Seizure: If police accessed personal devices, messages, or online accounts without a valid search warrant, the evidence may be inadmissible in court. Our lawyers will examine the procedures followed during investigations to determine whether any constitutional violations occurred.
• Mistaken Identity or Hacked Accounts: In some cases, someone else may have used a person's device or online account without their knowledge or consent. Our attorneys will investigate all digital activity to determine whether our client was truly responsible for the communications in question.

Positive Results for Our Clients

We have represented many clients who have been accused of sex crimes involving children, helping them resolve these cases successfully. In one case, our client, a respected dentist, was charged with online solicitation of a minor after text exchanges with a 13-year-old who appeared to be significantly older and who had a documented history of initiating explicit conversations and encouraging sexual meetups.

Despite the serious nature of the accusation, our senior trial attorneys took steps to meticulously dismantle the State's narrative and expose critical issues with the alleged victim's credibility and intent. As a result, our client received a not guilty verdict, restoring his reputation and protecting his career and future.

Contact Our Frisco Online Solicitation of a Minor Defense Attorneys

Accusations of online solicitation of a minor can put your freedom, reputation, and future at risk. The attorneys at Barbieri Law Firm have experience defending clients against internet-based sex crimes. We will take decisive action to protect your rights from day one. Contact our Frisco, TX online solicitation defense lawyers at 972-424-1902 and arrange a free, confidential consultation.