Understanding Different Types of Internet Sex Crimes
Posted on Sep 5, 2015 2:00pm PDT
Internet sex crimes carry the potential for severe legal penalties in addition
to significant social stigma, which can cause long-term financial and
familial consequences. Since Internet sex crimes involve a digital “paper
trail,” you’ll need to get in touch with a sex crime lawyer
in Columbus who has the resources necessary to develop an aggressive
criminal defense.
Solicitation
A criminal defense attorney may need to defend you against a charge of
solicitation if you have been accused of offering sexual contact for monetary
gain. This type of offense may be committed with the use of Internet chat
rooms, online ads, instant messages, or discussion forums. A similar charge
is solicitation of a minor. An individual could face this charge if he
or she is accused of trying to coerce or lure a minor into committing
sexual acts.
Cyberstalking
In Ohio, cyberstalking is covered under the
Ohio Revised Code Menacing by Stalking. Cyberstalking may involve activities such as engaging in repeated unwanted
contact, making threats of violence online, harassing the victim, or making
unwanted sexual advances via the Internet or a cellphone. Cyberstalking
is generally prosecuted as a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio. However,
as your criminal defense attorney can explain to you, it may be elevated
to a fourth-degree felony if certain circumstances apply. These include
if the defendant has prior convictions of menacing by stalking, if the
alleged victim is a minor, and if the defendant has a protection order in place.
Online Assault
The charge of online assault is similar to cyberstalking. However, its
definition isn’t quite as broad. If you’ve been accused of
online assault, it means that you’re suspected of using the Internet
to conduct violent acts, which may include unwanted sexual advances or
threats that cause the victim to suffer fear or anxiety.
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Your defense lawyer will need to defend you against this charge if you’ve
been accused of establishing relationships with minors online. Defendants
who are charged with online sexual exploitation of children are typically
accused of attempting to lure or coerce the child into a physical meeting
for the purpose of committing unlawful sexual contact.