Traveling to Meet a Minor in St. Petersburg

Florida law strictly prohibits traveling to meet a minor for any unlawful purpose, and it is illegal to use the internet, text messages, or any other electronic communication to solicit a minor for sexual activity. Law enforcement aggressively prosecutes anyone who travels to meet minors, and a conviction can result in severe penalties.

If you are facing allegations of traveling to meet a minor in St. Petersburg, you should contact an attorney immediately. These are serious crimes that you do not want to handle on your own. At Goldman Wetzel, our legal team has experience working to fight for and protect our clients. Our attorneys use our extensive trial experience to take on the difficult cases that other firms hesitate to take.

Traveling To Meet a Minor

To convict an individual of traveling to meet a minor in St. Petersburg, prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. They must demonstrate that you used electronic communication to engage with someone you thought was under the age of 18, and during the conversation, you explicitly attempted to engage in unlawful sexual activity. They must also show that you traveled, or attempted to travel, to meet the minor.

These cases often involve specialized operations where officers pose as underage individuals to lure adults into arranging a meeting. It does not matter that these sting operations do not involve minors, as prosecutors can pursue charges based on intent.

Penalties for Traveling To Meet a Minor

A conviction for traveling to meet a minor is a second-degree felony in Florida, and each charge can result in severe punishments:

• Up to 15 years in prison
• Up to 15 years of probation
• Up to $10,000 in fines
• Mandatory sex offender registration
• Restrictions on employment and residency

Since these charges result in lifelong consequences, it is important to fight them with a strong defense strategy.

Defenses Against Traveling To Meet a Minor

In St. Petersburg, every case for traveling to meet a minor is different, but there are some common defenses:

• Entrapment: If law enforcement induced or pressured you into committing an offense you would not have otherwise committed, this may be a valid defense
• Lack of intent: The prosecution must prove that you intended to engage in illegal conduct upon meeting the minor, and, if there was no intent to commit a crime, the charges may not hold up in court
• Mistaken identity: In some cases, you could be falsely accused due to misinterpretations of online communications
• Unlawful search and seizure: If evidence was obtained through an illegal search or seizure, it may be inadmissible in court

At Goldman Wetzel, we analyze every aspect of the prosecution’s case. We will challenge weak evidence and work to protect your constitutional rights.

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

When facing charges as serious as travelling to meet a minor, having experienced legal representation in St. Petersburg can make all the difference. Our attorneys will work tirelessly, scrutinizing the investigation for procedural errors and challenging the credibility of evidence, including online communications. We will also work to suppress unlawfully obtained statements or digital records and negotiate for reduced charges or alternative sentencing where applicable.

We work as a team on every case, providing our clients with the benefit of having two experienced defense attorneys fighting for them. We take a proactive approach to defense, ensuring that we do not overlook any details.

Speak With a St. Petersburg Defense Attorney About Traveling To Meet a Minor

If you or a loved one has been accused of traveling to meet a minor in St. Petersburg, contact an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you have someone to help you, the better your rights will be protected.

Goldman Wetzel accepts the difficult cases, and we have a reputation for strength, strategy, and dedication to our clients. We understand the fear that comes with these charges, which is why we commit to guiding our clients through every aspect of the legal process. Contact us today to discuss your case and explore your legal options.