Unlawful Contact with a Minor
Driven Harrisburg Sex Crimes Defense - (717) 775-7195
In Pennsylvania, unlawful conduct with a minor for sexual purposes can have steep penalties. Whether you are caught in a police sting or by a suspicious parent, you will face serious consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and mandatory registration as a sex-offender. You may also find that your charges have an impact on your social, professional, and personal life. If you find yourself accused of unlawful contact with a minor, you should get in touch with Harrisburg sex crime attorneys.
Begin your defense by calling Scaringi Law at (717) 775-7195.
Our team at Scaringi Law is available to protect your rights. Our criminal law attorneys are skilled and proven in court. We take a personalized approach to every case, so you can trust that yours will receive individualized attention from our legal team.
Unlawful Contact with a Minor in Pennsylvania
It is illegal to be in contact with a minor, or a police officer posing as a minor, with the purpose of engaging in:
- Any sexual offense outlined in Chapter 31, Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Code
- Prostitution
- Sexual exploitation
- Obscene or sexual performances or materials
- Sexual abuse
- Open lewdness
Contact does not have to occur in person to be considered unlawful. Email, instant messaging, posting in forums, texting, or other forms of contact with minors can be enough for you to be charged. Online solicitation is a serious offense, and law enforcement officials may pose as minors to catch adults who are soliciting children and teens online.
Pennsylvania Unlawful Contact with a Minor Penalties
If you are arrested for unlawful contact with a minor, you can be sentenced to imprisonment, heavy fines, or even mandatory sex-offender registration. Sex crimes are considered felonies in Pennsylvania, and a conviction will show up on background checks, which can affect your housing and employment opportunities. Unlawful contact with a minor is a third-degree felony.
- If you are charged with unlawful contact with a minor: You can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison and 10 years of mandatory registration as a sex-offender.
- If you have committed an underlying crime, as well as unlawful contact: The unlawful contact charges can be used to increase the penalty for other crimes, such as the sexual exploitation of a minor or rape. It is possible that you may be sentenced to life in prison, should the other charges be severe enough.
If you are convicted of a sex crime in Pennsylvania, you will be required to register for at least 10 years a sex-offender. This can have a profound impact on your life and can limit your employment and housing opportunities or even cost you your current job or home. Because of the life-changing effects, these charges can have, it is critical that you contact an experienced sex crime lawyer to begin your defense.
Protect Yourself with Scaringi Law – (717) 775-7195
If you have been charged with a sex crime, such as unlawful contact with a minor, your freedom may be at stake. At Scaringi Law, we understand how important it is for your reputation, freedom, career, and family life to defeat these charges. Our team of Harrisburg sex crime attorneys will work tirelessly to protect you from your charges. Our offices are open for extended hours, and we strive to be there when you need proven, aggressive defense.
Contact Scaringi Law today. Call our offices at (717) 775-7195 to schedule a case evaluation.