Solicitation

Solicitation of a Minor means to attempt to entice, seduce, or encourage a child to engage in an unlawful sexual act. Solicitation can be committed by any person who knowingly uses an online/internet service or any other device with the ability to store or transmit to seduce, lure, solicit, or entice, or to attempt to seduce, lure, solicit or entire a child, or someone believed to be a child, to engage in any illegal sexual act.

Many people charged with solicitation are involved in a “sting” operation, where a law enforcement officer poses as a child online and interacts with the adult party. A person can be charged with solicitation even if the alleged victim is not, in fact, a child. Belief alone that the victim was a child is enough to be charged with Solicitation of a Minor.

Solicitation Penalties

Solicitation of a Minor is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.