Solicitation of a minor is a felony sex offense in Maryland. It is a crime in which no physical contact need occur for the accused to be charged or convicted of the crime. The mere attempt to entice or encourage a minor under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity is a criminal act, potentially punishable by years in prison and registration as a Maryland Sex Offender.
If you are being investigated for solicitation of a minor, or if you have been arrested for soliciting a minor, contacting an attorney with experience handling sex offense cases is a smart move. A Maryland solicitation of a minor lawyer can protect your rights through the investigation and criminal justice process, and can aggressively handle your defense against charges of solicitation of a minor.
If you are being accused, investigated, or questioned for the solicitation of a minor, it is important to contact an experienced attorney who can fight for your best interests. These cases are very serious, and a knowledgeable lawyer can explain the law, how it applies to the facts of your case, and how to begin preparing your defense.
Solicitation of a minor can occur in a face-to-face setting, but more commonly, people are charged with solicitation of a minor as a result of contact made over the internet, chat rooms, and text messages. Online solicitation of a minor is an internet sex crime and may be charged as a federal offense.
This offense involves certain specific law enforcement tactics and strategies. While a person may think he or she is chatting with a teenager, he or she is really speaking with an undercover officer. However, when these operations are not conducted to specific standards, there may be the possibility of an entrapment defense, which could lead to an invalidation of all criminal charges.
