The internet can bring us an infinite amount of information at a moment’s notice, but it can also be used for less-than-noble purposes. Even if you use Incognito mode or think you’re hiding your IP address, there is still a digital trail of your actions, and it will come back to you. We’ve seen an uptick in the number of internet-related crimes we’ve defended in the past couple years, so below, we share some more information about common internet sex crimes and why you should reach out to a lawyer if you’d been charged with one of these crimes.
Common Internet Sex Crimes
There are a number of different ways people can end up charged with an internet-related sex crime. Here’s a look at some of the internet-related sex crimes we’ve defended clients against:
- Distributing or receiving child pornography.
- Sexual harassment via electronic means.
- Promoting prostitution.
- Engaging in prostitution.
- Engaging in sex trafficking.
The above crimes aren’t a comprehensive list, but they encompass the vast majority of internet-related sex crimes that we see in our line of work. Every one of the above crimes carries serious consequences, and depending on the specific circumstances of your case or the age of the person who were communicating with, your crime can quickly rise from a misdemeanor offense to a felony-level crime. Because of this, you can face huge fines and the potential for a long jail sentence if you are convicted.
Internet Sex Crime Defenses
One common defense against internet-related sex crimes is that you were unaware that you were committing a crime, for example, many people do not know that it’s against the law to show an adult pornography website to a minor, even though the websites is perfectly legal you must be 18 to view it, showing it to someone under the age of 18 is a criminal offence. We’ve seen cases where someone has tried to pirate music or a movie and ended up with child pornography on their computer. However, remember that a lot of bait files on the internet have tracking capabilities, which means you’re not going to be able to plead innocent if the tracker log shows you opened the file on numerous occasions. Another common defense if that the defendant never intended to carry out the sex act in real life, but that can be difficult to prove if chat transcripts show otherwise.
Twin Cities Criminal Defense Lawyers
The best way to defend yourself against an internet-related sex crime is by hiring a criminal defense attorney. They are familiar with the system and can craft a narrative to put you in a good position to beat the charges. Even if winning the case outright seems unlikely, your lawyer can work with the judge and the prosecution to come up with a plea deal that can keep you out of jail or avoid more serious consequences. Avery and his team have helped numerous clients in similar situations, and he’d be happy to sit down with you and talk about your options. He offers a free initial strategy session where you can talk with an attorney at no cost to learn more about what you’re up against. To learn more about this free session, or to set it up, click here or give us a call at (952) 224-2277.
