You may be charged with an internet sex crime — and if you are convicted, the punishment may be severe. At this point, you may dispute your charge.
The legal team at Suzuki Law Offices is committed to providing exceptional legal service. Our Gilbert sex crimes lawyer may be able to review your case and go over your legal options with you. For more information, reach out to us.
Internet Sex Crime Definition
A Gilbert criminal defense lawyer may be able to build an argument to help get the charge against you reduced or dismissed. A sex-related offense has a sexual component and may involve physical or emotional harm. With an internet sex crime, an individual commits an explicit sexual act over the internet and harms another person. Examples of online sex crimes include:
Child Pornography
Based on Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) §13-3553, sexual exploitation is illegal. With child pornography, an adult sexually exploits a minor. They may do so through the creation, distribution, or possession of sexually explicit videos or photos of a child.
Sextortion
Sextortion may happen via a messaging app, game, or another online platform. It may occur when an adult threatens to publish sexually explicit videos or photos of a minor. With sextortion, a child may feel fearful or confused to the point where they struggle to report the crime to authorities.
Sex Solicitation
An individual may offer money for sexual services, and they may do so online. In addition, there are instances where a person may sell sexual services on the internet. In either of these scenarios, the person looking to pay for or sell sexual services may be charged with solicitation.
Sex Trafficking
Offenders may use the internet to get minors to perform sexual acts. In Arizona, someone charged with sex trafficking may face prison time. They may receive an extended prison sentence if they have been found guilty of this crime more than once.
The legal team at Suzuki Law Offices can answer frequently asked questions about these and other online sex crimes. Our Gilbert internet sex crimes attorney may help you develop an argument to contest the charge against you. To learn more, contact us today.
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Get StartedOnline Sex Crime Penalties
The consequences of an internet sex crime conviction vary. Penalties depend on the charge levied against you. Here are some of the penalties associated with internet sexual crimes:
- Child Pornography: You may be subject to a 10-year prison sentence for each piece of child pornography you create, possess, or distribute. For example, if you are found with 10 sexually explicit photos of a minor in your possession, you may face 100 years in prison.
- Sextortion: You may be charged with a Class 2 or Class 3 felony, with a punishment that includes up to 35 years in prison and other penalties.
- Sex Solicitation: You may face up to 12 years in prison and fines if you are found guilty of online sex solicitation.
- Sex Trafficking: You may be forced to spend up to 27 years in prison and receive a fine of up to $150,000 for a first offense.
In a case where you are convicted of an internet sex crime involving a minor, you may have to register as a sex offender. This may prevent you from having contact with anyone under the age of 18, including your own children. You may be required to register within 10 days of your conviction and remain on this ledger for the rest of your life.
Lawyer Near Me 602-682-5270Internet Sex Crime Defense
An internet sex crimes defense lawyer in Gilbert may help you develop a legal strategy. They may look at the facts surrounding your charge and work with you to gather evidence to support your case. Your attorney may consider several legal defenses, including:
Lack of Intent
The prosecutor in your case must show you intended to commit a sexual offense. To do so, they must provide a body of proof to compel the court to rule in their favor. An internet sex crimes defense attorney in Gilbert may be able to dispute the prosecutor’s claims to the point where you can show the court you did not intend to commit a crime.
Age Misrepresentation
You may have engaged in communications or other activities with a minor but did not know they were under the age of 18. An experienced legal team may be able to prove a child misrepresented their age. This may lead the court to drop your charge.
Computer Virus
A computer virus may have infected your device and downloaded sexually explicit content. You may have had no idea the virus was on your device but are now dealing with the consequences of an internet sex crime charge. An attorney may be able to verify that a virus was on your computer that caused illegal content to be downloaded onto your device.
Artistic Value
You may be able to argue the content you created, distributed, or possessed was not sexually explicit. To do so, you may have to show the content has artistic value. Your attorney may help you craft an argument that verifies the content relating to your charge was produced for artistic enjoyment.
It may be beneficial to hire a lawyer who has helped clients achieve their desired case results. The attorney may learn about your case and help you craft an argument that resonates with the court. They may also help you pursue a plea bargain.
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Internet Sex Crime Plea Agreement
With a plea deal, you may be able to resolve your online sex crime charge without a trial. The agreement may require you to accept a lesser charge. In exchange, you may be able to avoid a lengthy prison sentence or other severe penalties.
A plea agreement may be an option in your sex crime case. Your attorney may discuss plea deals, how they work, and if one may be available to you. They may work with you to prepare an agreement and present it to the prosecution.
There is no guarantee the prosecutor in your case may accept a plea deal. There may also be times when it is in your best interests not to accept a plea bargain. If you need to move forward with a trial, your attorney may help you prepare accordingly.
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Partner with a Gilbert Internet Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer
Suzuki Law Offices is an Arizona law firm with a history of excellence and integrity. Our Gilbert internet sex crimes defense attorney may be able to help you with your case. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
Call or text 602-682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form