Internet Sex Crimes FAQs

A: Changes in technology create new areas of legislation and, with it, new criminal offenses. The Internet is such an advance and its regulation expands daily. Internet sex offenses are a “hot” area for law enforcement and they investigate and prosecute them vigorously. Both local and federal law enforcement officers search the Internet for potential offenders and will often go to extreme measures to draw them out.

A: There are several types of Internet sex crimes and the list grows with each legislative session. Obscenity. The whole of Chapter 847 of the Florida Statutes is dedicated to criminalizing forms of obscenity, including transporting it into the State, retail distribution of it, and providing it to minors. Escort Services. It is illegal to run an online escort service. Solicitation of sex with a minor. To prosecute solicitation offenses law enforcement will often pose as minors and engage in leading conversations to encourage the potential offender. It is a separate criminal offense to travel to try to complete the solicitation. Transmission of harmful material. Sending obscene material to a minor, via the internet (or even cell phone) is a criminal offense. It is important that you have the help of an experienced defense attorney if you are being investigated or charged with an internet sex crime. Because of the level of aggressiveness of law enforcement, they often cross the line of entrapment or other prohibited police conduct. Doing so may make the evidence against you inadmissible if the proper defenses are raised. Our firm can evaluate your case and raise these defenses for you.