LURING A CHILD INTO A MOTOR VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE IN PA
What Happens When You Are Charged with Luring a Child in Pennsylvania
Crimes involving children often create an uproar in communities. People often rush to judgment and want to see the offender punished harshly. Allegations of luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure can have extremely negative implications.
Charges of Luring a Child has the potential to damage your reputation, your career, your family life and your future, even if you have not been convicted or proven guilty.
Beyond the possibility of jail time and fines, if convicted, luring a child is also a Tier I offense under Megan’s Law and a conviction will require you to Register as a Sex Offender for up to fifteen years.
If you do not comply, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender is a felony in itself and you can be put back in prison.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Don’t be scared; Be prepared.
Seek the help of an experienced and reputable Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney immediately. Not only for helping you protect your rights, your freedom and your future, but also to help ease your fears and doubts.
Attorney David Shrager provides compassionate counsel and will listen to your side of the story with understanding and empathy, not judgment, reproof or apathy. His law firm will aggressively seek action to prove your innocence and have your charges dropped completely.
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A SEX CRIMES CHARGE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE GUILTY
OR THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.
CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY
FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
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LURING A CHILD INTO A MOTOR VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE CHARGES IN PA
The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes define luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure as follows:
- Unless the circumstances reasonably indicate that the child is in need of assistance, a person who lures or attempts to lure a child into a motor vehicle or structure without the consent, express or implied, of the child’s parent or guardian commits an offense.
- A motor vehicle is defined as: Every self-propelled device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a public highway.
- A structure is defined as: A house, apartment building, shop, warehouse, barn, building, vessel, railroad car, cargo container, house car, trailer, trailer coach, camper, mine, floating home or other enclosed structure capable of holding a child, which is not open to the general public.
What Does “Luring” Mean?
In order to fully understand the law, it is important to explain what luring means.
Luring is not simply offering a child a ride home. Luring usually involves something beyond a simple offer – an enticement or inducement to get the child to enter the motor vehicle or structure.
An enticement can be anything from ice cream or candy to a toy or video game. You are making the offer to the child knowing it is likely to increase their level of cooperation. It could also be an inducement, which would mean you threaten or command the child to enter the motor vehicle or structure – giving them the feeling that they cannot say no.
In order to be found guilty, the prosecution must prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt:
- There was an attempt to lure the child;
- You did not have the consent of the parents/guardian, express or implied;
- The child’s circumstances did not indicate a need for assistance.
It is important to note that the statute makes no express requirement that the offender have the intent to cause harm to the child.
The prosecution does not need to prove any harm, attempt to harm, or intention to harm in order for you to be convicted of luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure.
_________________________________________________________
A SEX CRIMES CHARGE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE GUILTY
OR THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.
CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY
FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
____________________________________________________________
PENALTIES IF CONVICTED OF LURING A CHILD INTO A MOTOR VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE
Crimes that involve children are often prosecuted harshly and prosecutors are unlikely to give much leeway or enter into deals. The age of the child will affect the severity of the penalties if convicted.
Luring a child, anyone 18 years or younger, into a motor vehicle or structure is charged as a first degree misdemeanor.
The maximum penalty for a first degree misdemeanor includes:
- Up to five years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Registration for 15 years on PA’s sex offender registry
Luring a child age 13 or younger is charged as a second degree felony.
The maximum penalty for a second degree felony is:
- Up to ten years in prison
- Up to $25,000 in fines
- Registration for 15 years on PA’s sex offender registry
In addition, you may also be charged Corruption of Minors.
_________________________________________________________
A SEX CRIMES CHARGE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE GUILTY
OR THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.
CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY
FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
____________________________________________________________
DEFENSES TO LURING A CHILD INTO A MOTOR VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE
Being charged with a sex crime does not mean that you are guilty or that you will be proven guilty or convicted. It is crucial to speak with an experienced sex crime attorney to better understand your rights and how you can best defend them.
The law states that if a person lured or attempted to lure the child into a motor vehicle or structure for a lawful purpose, this shall be considered an affirmative defense to the crime.
A lawful purpose is quite vague. Perhaps there are witnesses that can affirm that the child was in need of assistance or immediate help. Maybe the circumstances were such that you could not wait for the consent of the parent but there was a lawful reason for you to take the child.
There are several legal defenses to sex crime charges. You may have a case of mistaken identity or there is evidence of consent.
An experienced Pennsylvania sex crimes attorney can help to protect your rights and preserve your freedom. Their help can be invaluable in crafting a viable defense to the crime.
Shrager Defense will seek out and interview witnesses, as well as combat any evidence the prosecution plans to use against you. We will always fight for your rights and work to have your charges reduced or dropped altogether.
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FREE Legal Consultation
Call or Text 412-969-2540 right now for a FREE initial legal consultation.
Speak directly with Pittsburgh Attorney Shrager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Shrager Defense Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA will attack your criminal charges in order to protect your good name. Have a sound and solid case prepared by David J. Shrager and his legal team so they can fight for your rights.
- Learn more about our Sex Crimes Lawyers in Pennsylvania
- Read information about Defenses to Sex Crimes
- Read what our clients have to say
If you have been charged with, or think you may be charged with, any of the following sexual offenses, call Attorney Shrager immediately for a free consultation:
- Internet Sex Crimes Charges
- Charges for Online Solicitation of Minors for Sex
- Charged with Sexting
- Indecent Exposure Charges
- Charged with Sexual Assault / Rape
- Charged with Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
- Indecent Assault and Aggravated Indecent Assault Charges
- Date Rape / Statutory Rape Charges
- Spousal Rape / Spousal Sexual Assault / Marital Rape Charges
- Child Molestation / Solicitation and Child Sexual Assault Charges
- Child Pornography Charges
- Unlawful Contact with a Minor Charges
- Custodial Interference Charges & Custody Crimes
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender