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 Shragerprovides 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 CRIMESCHARGE 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
ii) Statutory Sexual Assault
iii) Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
iv) Aggravated Indecent Assault
v) Indecent Assault
vi) Indecent Exposure
- 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 experiencedFederal Crimes Attorney in Pittsburghon 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. UndertheSexual 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 offenderis a felony and can lead to prison time andthousands of dollars in fines.
_________________________________________________________
A SEX CRIMESCHARGE 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 experiencedPittsburgh sex crimes attorneycan help toprotect 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 experiencedFederal Crimes Attorney in Pittsburghon 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 attorneyfor afree 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. CallShrager Defense Attorneystoday.
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FREE Legal Consultation
Call or Text 412-969-2540right now for aFREE 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 ourSex Crimes Lawyers in Pennsylvania
- Read information about Defenses to Sex Crimes
- Readwhat 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
- Corruption of Minors.
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
FAQs
What is the sentence for unlawful contact with a minor in PA? ›
Pennsylvania Unlawful Contact with a Minor Penalties
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.
--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 ...
What is the crime code 3124.2 in PA? ›(2) A person who is a peace officer commits a felony of the third degree when the person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a child who is under official detention or in the custody of the person or is a confidential informant of the person. (a. 5) Consent not a defense.
What is the crime code 5903 in PA? ݤ 5903. Obscene and other sexual materials and performances.
Can police talk to a minor without parent present in Pennsylvania? ›You are allowed to be present while your child is questioned by the police in Pennsylvania, but the police are not obligated to allow that to take place. In other words, the police can question a juvenile in Pennsylvania without getting the permission of the parents.
Can a minor be questioned without a parent present in Pennsylvania? ›Request the parent or guardian not be physically present during the interrogation if there is articulable justification; however, parental/guardian presence is a prerogative of the juvenile and parent or guardian.
What is the statute 18 6312 in PA? ›(1) Any person who causes or knowingly permits a child under the age of 18 years to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act commits an offense if such person knows, has reason to know or intends that such act may be photographed, videotaped, depicted on computer or filmed.
What are the consequences of violating the age of consent in Pennsylvania? ݤ 3121(c). If convicted, you might face up to 40 years in prison. If the alleged victim sustained serious bodily injuries, you might face up to life in prison. If an alleged victim is younger than the necessary age of consent, defendants can be charged with statutory sexual assault under 18 Pa.
What is Corruption of minors and age of consent in PA? ›C.S.A. § 6301, it is illegal for a person who is 18 years of age or older to commit any act that corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of a minor (a person under the age of 18). It is also illegal to encourage, aid, abet, or entice someone under the age of 18 to commit a crime or violate their parole or court order.
What is a 907 Pennsylvania Crimes Code? ›Section 907 - Possessing instruments of crime (a) Criminal instruments generally. --A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses any instrument of crime with intent to employ it criminally. (b) Possession of weapon.
What is crimes code 3928 in PA? ›
3928. Unauthorized use of automobiles and other vehicles.
What is crimes code 6115 in PA? ›(a) Offense defined. --No person shall make any loan secured by mortgage, deposit or pledge of a firearm, nor, except as provided in subsection (b), shall any person lend or give a firearm to another or otherwise deliver a firearm contrary to the provisions of this subchapter.
What is pa crimes code 18 5101? ›5101. Obstructing administration of law or other governmental function. 5102. Obstructing or impeding the administration of justice by picketing, etc.
What is a 508 PA crimes code? ›(1) A private person who makes, or assists another private person in making a lawful arrest is justified in the use of any force which he would be justified in using if he were summoned or directed by a peace officer to make such arrest, except that he is justified in the use of deadly force only when he believes that ...
What is a 5122 PA crimes code? ›1) (relating to contraband prohibited), a person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he unlawfully introduces within a detention facility, correctional institution or mental hospital, or unlawfully provides an inmate thereof with any weapon, tool, implement, or other thing which may be used for escape.
Is assault on a minor a felony in Pennsylvania? ›(9) attempts to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes serious bodily injury to a child less than 13 years of age, by a person 18 years of age or older. (b) Grading. --Aggravated assault under subsection (a)(1), (2) and (9) is a felony of the first degree.
What is the charge of assault on a minor in PA? ›Misdemeanor Simple Assault
If the assault is on a minor under the age of 12, and the perpetrator is 18 years or older, then it will be graded as a first degree misdemeanor. This can be punishable by up to 5 years. A misdemeanor assault conviction will stay on your criminal record forever.
In the state of Pennsylvania, the minimum penalty you could face includes a fine of at least $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for any future offenses. However, this doesn't mean a fine is the only issue you will have as a result of a conviction under this law.