UNLAWFUL CONTACT WITH A MINOR IN PENNSYLVANIA
Information if you have been charged with having unlawful contact with a minor in PA
If you have been arrested for unlawful contact with a minor, you may be confused as to why the charges happened in the first place and scared as to what may happen next. You may be facing humiliation and negative treatment from your family and community. It is important to remember though that charges do not necessarily mean you are guilty.
Allegations of having unlawful contact with a minor are extremely serious. If convicted, you will spend at a minimum seven years behind bars and face up to $15,000 in fines. After serving your time you are obligated to register as a sex offender, which could interfere with your chances of a normal future.
Your job, family life, and reputation are at risk if you are facing Unlawful Contact with a Minor criminal charges. Do not leave your future to chance.
In addition, you may also be charged Corruption of Minors.
Seek the help of an experienced and understanding Pittsburgh Sex Crimes Attorney immediately.
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 in an attempt to prove your innocence and possibly 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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WHAT IS UNLAWFUL CONTACT WITH A MINOR?
There are many examples of having unlawful contact with a minor, ranging from sharing explicit photos with a 13 year old over a phone or internet, to physically fondling a child, to being openly lewd with a child to sexually assaulting a child.
The charges do range in severity – Unlawful Contact with a Minor charges include all of these offenses.
One example is as follows:
If a forty year old man is in an online chat with a female he believes to be thirteen years old, and he sends explicit photos and suggests they meet to have sex, he has violated the law and can be charged with unlawful contact with a minor. Whether or not the man actually meets the thirteen year old girl is irrelevant. No direct contact has to be made for the offender to be charged.
Unlawful Contact with a Minor is defined in Title 18 §6318 of the Pennsylvania code:
A person commits an offense if he is intentionally in contact with a minor, or a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of his duties who has assumed the identity of a minor, for the purpose of engaging in an activity prohibited under any of the following, and either the person initiating the contact, or the person being contacted, is within this Commonwealth:
- Any of the following sexual offenses:
i) Rape
iii) Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
iv) Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Open lewdness
- Prostitution
- Obscene and other Sexual Materials and performances
- Sexual abuse of children
- Sexual exploitation of children
Generally speaking, many of these kinds of sex crimes occur over the internet – via online chat rooms, email, and text messages.
It is now very common for police to set up online sting operations to catch child predators. The only way to know for sure if your arrest was legal and your rights have not been violated is to contact a reputable sex crimes attorney.
In addition, sex crimes could be punishable under both State and Federal Law. If you face federal charges, you will need an experienced Federal Crimes Attorney in Pittsburgh on your side.
PENALTIES FOR UNLAWFUL CONTACT WITH A MINOR IN PENNSYLVANIA
The punishment for unlawful contact with a minor varies depending on the circumstances and what exactly the defendant intended.
At the very least, someone found guilty of unlawful contact will be charged with a felony of the third degree.
The punishment for a felony of the third degree in PA is:
- Up to seven years in prison
- Up to $15,000 in fines
- Registration as a sex offender for at least ten years
A felony of the third degree is the least punishment that can be charged.
In addition, you may also be charged Corruption of Minors.
The defendant will receive the penalty that coincides with whatever the most serious offense is.
For example, if the defendant commits rape of the child he/she contacted, he/she will be charged with a first degree felony for the rape. Additionally, the unlawful contact with a minor charge can be used to increase the penalty.
Sexual offenses, especially those against minors, are taken extremely seriously and you are likely to suffer the harshest penalties under the law. A knowledgeable sex crimes attorney is the best way to ensure your rights are protected.
It is important to remember that your punishment does not end when your jail sentence is over. Under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), sex offenders are required to register their whereabouts in each jurisdiction where they live, work and go to school, in some cases for the rest of their lives.
Failure to register as a sex offender is a felony and can lead to prison time and thousands of dollars in fines.
_________________________________________________________
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 FOR SEX CRIMES AND UNLAWFUL CONTACT WITH A MINOR
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.
From illegal wiretaps to violations of the methods of undercover police officers to mentally unstable complainants – the list goes on for how difficult it can be to uphold evidence and get a conviction for sex crimes.
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 Pittsburgh sex crimes attorney can help to protect your rights and preserve your freedom.
Sex crimes could be punishable under both State and Federal Law. If you face federal charges, you will need an experienced Federal Crimes Attorney in Pittsburgh on your side.
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.
A Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney Who Will Fight for Your Rights
If you have been arrested under sex crime charges call an experienced criminal attorney for a free consultation.
Talk to a compassionate attorney who will try to understand your situation and then help you understand your rights. Attorney Shrager will do everything possible to attack your charges and fight for your rights.
When your future and your rights are at stake, you need a determined attorney who can fight for your rights. Call Shrager Defense Attorneys today.
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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
- Luring a Child into a Motor Vehicle or Structure
- Custodial Interference Charges & Custody Crimes
- Corruption of Minors.
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender