How To Defend Against Charges of Traveling To Meet a Minor for Sexual Conduct

Being charged with the offense of “traveling to meet a minor” in Florida is a serious thing. If you are facing this charge, you may be feeling overwhelmed. A conviction can lead to harsh consequences, not just criminally, but also professionally and personally. If you’ve been accused of traveling or attempting to travel to meet a minor for sexual conduct, it is crucial to understand the law, your possible defenses, and the steps you should take. In this article, we explain what the charge of traveling to meet a minor means, how these cases usually work, and the strategies criminal defense attorneys use to fight these cases in Florida.

Understanding the Law in Florida

This offense is outlined in Florida Statutes section 847.0135(4). According to this law, a person is guilty of the offense of traveling to meet a minor when they;

• Travel or try to travel to engage in sexual conduct with a child,
• Use electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, or social media, to solicit, lure, or entice the minor, and
• Believe that the person they are communicating with is under 18.

A common misconception is that charges can only be filed if the targeted person was actually a minor. The reality is that even if the person is a law enforcement officer pretending to be a child in an online sting operation, you can still be charged.

Florida categorizes this crime as a second-degree felony. Being found guilty of such a crime can result in up to fifteen years in prison, fines reaching $10,000, and mandatory sex offender registration.

How Do These Cases Work?

Many times, people are arrested during online sting operations. In an online sting operation, a law enforcement officer poses as a minor on social media, a chat room, or a dating app. Then, they engage in conversations with the suspect with the goal of gathering evidence of intent to engage in sexual conduct. Sting operations aim to establish the defendant’s intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor. So whether the person was actually a minor usually does not matter as long as the defendant believed they were.

During investigations, law enforcement may:

• Initiate contact or respond to messages from the defendant
• Encourage the defendant to discuss travel plans or sexual intentions
• Track digital communication
• Monitor GPS data or other electronic indicators of travel

Common Defenses in Traveling To Meet a Minor Cases

If you are facing charges, you are likely feeling scared. But being charged does not automatically mean you will be convicted. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help explore several possible defenses, including;

• Entrapment: If law enforcement actively persuaded or induced you to commit the crime.
• Lack of Criminal Intent: Evidence suggesting miscommunication or misunderstanding can support this defense.
• Insufficient Evidence: Your attorney may argue the state has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Constitutional Violations: For example, illegal search and seizure.

Hire a skilled attorney as soon as possible to get started working on your defense.

Contact an Orlando Sex Crime Lawyer

If you are being accused of traveling to meet a minor, contact our experienced Orlando sex crime lawyer at Joshi Law Firm, PA for help developing a strong defense strategy.