DuPage County Online Solicitation Defense Lawyer

Attorney Defending Clients Against Internet Child Pornography Charges in Cook County, IL

To be accused of a sex crime, especially one involving a child, is a severe blow to anyone's reputation and a major disruption to their everyday life. If you are arrested for the Internet related sex crime of online solicitation or child pornography in Illinois, hiring an experienced DuPage County sex crime defense attorney is the first step toward minimizing the devastation of such charges. The attorneys at Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. will guide you through the complexity of Illinois' sexual offense laws and help you to resolve your case as favorably as possible. Our defense team has successfully represented clients facing online solicitation and child pornography, indecent liberties with a child, Internet sex, and a wide range of criminal sexual offenses throughout the Chicago area.

Penalties for Online Solicitation in Illinois

Illinois law describes many different types of criminal sexual offenses involving children or Internet solicitation, and a range of charges and penalties can result, including:

Indecent Solicitation of a Child

• A person over the age of 17 commits indecent solicitation of a child when they use a computer or other form of communication to arrange a sexual act with a child under age of 17.
• If the act is deemed to be predatory criminal sexual assault (in which the victim is under the age of 13) or aggravated criminal sexual assault, it is a Class 1 felony, which is punishable by four to 15 years in prison.
• If the act is deemed criminal sexual assault, it is a Class 2 felony, which is punishable by three to seven years in prison.
• If the act is deemed aggravated criminal sexual abuse (in which the victim was between the age of 13 and 17 and is at least five years younger than the perpetrator), it is a Class 3 felony, which is punishable by two to five years in prison.
• Any other charge of indecent solicitation of a child is a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by one to three years in prison.
  

Solicitation to Meet a Child

• A person over the age of 18 commits solicitation to meet a child when they use a computer or other form of communication to meet a child under the age of 17 for an unlawful purpose without the knowledge of their parent or guardian. This is a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in prison and fines of up to $2,500.
• If a person commits solicitation to meet a child when they believe they are more than five years older than the child, this is a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by one to three years in prison.

Sexual Exploitation of a Child

• A person commits sexual exploitation of a child if they commit a sexual act in the presence or virtual presence of a child under the age of 17, or if they coerce or persuade a child to remove their clothes for the sexual gratification of themselves or the child.
• Sexual exploitation of a child is a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year in prison) for the first offense, and a Class 4 felony (punishable by one to three years in prison) for a second offense.
• If the victim is under the age of 13, if the perpetrator has been previously convicted of a sexual offense, or if the offense took place within 500 feet of a school while children are present, this is a class 4 felony.

Indecent Solicitation of an Adult

• A person commits indecent solicitation of an adult when they use a computer or other form of communication to arrange for a person over the age of 17 to commit a sexual act with a child under the age of 17.
• If the offense involves sexual penetration, and the victim is under the age of 13, this is a Class X felony, which is punishable by six to 30 years in prison. If the victim is between the ages of 13 and 17, this is a Class 1 felony, which is punishable by four to 15 years in prison.
• If the offense involves sexual conduct other than penetration, and the victim is under the age of 13, this is a Class 2 felony, which is punishable by three to seven years in prison. If the victim is between the ages of 13 and 17, this is a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in prison.

Call a Lombard Area Criminal Defense Lawyer

As damaging as online solicitation/child pornography charges can be, the team of experienced attorneys at Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C.. will work to improve your legal options immediately. We may file a pretrial motion to suppress evidence and/or seek a dismissal or reduction of charges. We will aggressively challenge the evidence against you. We are not here to judge you; we want to ensure you have a fair trial and your rights are protected every step of the way.

If you have been charged with online solicitation, contact our experienced DuPage County criminal defense attorneys at 630-472-9700 for a free consultation to discuss your specific charges. Serving Wheaton, Hinsdale, Lombard, Downers Grove, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, DuPage County and surrounding areas.