Lisbon’s Finest Importuning Lawyer: Fighting for Your Rights and Defending Your Future!

If you find yourself facing importuning charges in Ohio, the consequences can be severe. Not only do you risk potential incarceration, but you could also be required to register as a sex offender. Even if you are innocent, the social stigma and isolation from your community can be overwhelming.

Ohio residents take a dim view of those accused of soliciting sexual activities with a minor under the age of 13. It is crucial to act swiftly and seek legal representation if you are questioned, accused, or arrested for this offense. An experienced importuning lawyer in Lisbon can step in to protect your rights and vigorously work towards achieving the best possible outcome for your situation.

Seeking an Accomplished Lawyer in Lisbon for your legal needs

Ohio prosecutors will be relentless in their pursuit of charging and convicting you. Whether you are accused of engaging in sexually explicit electronic communications with a minor or soliciting them for prostitution, investigators will act swiftly to gather evidence against you.

Furthermore, the mere mention of these accusations can tarnish your reputation within your workplace, schools, and neighborhood.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Youngstown Criminal Law Group today to discuss the importuning charges you are facing in Lisbon. Our dedicated team can be reached at 330-992-3036.

Importuning Charges Overview

Ohio has strict importuning laws that aim to protect minors from solicitation for sexual activity. These laws make it illegal to solicit individuals under the age of 13 or those between 13 and 15, if you are over the age of 18 and at least four years older than the person you are soliciting.

In 1974, an amendment was introduced to Ohio’s importuning law to address the misconception that it’s not illegal to simply ask individuals in these situations to engage in sexual activities. The committee comment argued that “just asking” does constitute a criminal offense because children lack the maturity to make sound decisions, and the consequences of such solicitation can be harmful to them.

It’s important to note that Ohio’s importuning laws used to apply to soliciting homosexual or lesbian sexual activity as well. However, this section of the statute was struck down in 2002.

Defenses

Importuning cases that involve alleged offenses through electronic media, such as online chatrooms, can pose challenges for prosecutors. Courts tend to be skeptical of evidence derived from online solicitation of minors, which can work in your favor with the help of an experienced importuning lawyer.

Your Lisbon prostitution lawyer can introduce questions that cast doubt on the validity of the charges against you, such as:

• Were you under the impression that the alleged victim was an adult based on their statements or written communication?
• Did the alleged solicitation take place in an adults-only online forum?
• Did the police coerce you into behaving contrary to your nature?
• Could someone else have had access to your online accounts or computer?
• Did you actually engage in sexually explicit communication with the alleged victim?

Providing the right answers to these questions can weaken the prosecution’s case and potentially lead to the dismissal of charges, even before going to trial.

Definition of Importuning

Importuning offenses typically occur over the internet, in chat rooms, or through text or email.

The Ohio Revised Code 2907.07 specifies various actions that qualify as importuning. The code breaks down the criminal act based on different scenarios and the ages of both the offender and the victim. To avoid confusion, here are the age brackets defined in simple terms.

According to Ohio law, it is illegal to solicit a child under the age of 13 for any sexual activity. Violation of this law could lead to importuning charges.

Furthermore, the law states that if you are at least 18 years old and at least four years older than someone between the ages of 13 and 15, you are prohibited from soliciting them for sex. It is important to note that ignorance of the other person’s age does not serve as a defense. Similarly, within this age range, you cannot solicit sex from someone who is 16 or 17 years old and a victim of trafficking (ORC 2905.32), provided that you are aware of their age.

The law strictly forbids individuals who are 18 and above from soliciting sexual activity with a person under the age of 15 through online platforms, text messages, emails, and other means. The offender must be at least four years older and either have knowledge of the other person’s age or be reckless in not obtaining this information.

Furthermore, even if the other person is an undercover police officer posing as someone under the age of 13 or between 13 and 15, the solicitor can still be charged with the crime of importuning if they sincerely believe the officer is of the age they pretend to be or if they are reckless in determining the officer’s age. In such cases, the age difference between the solicitor and the officer must still be a minimum of four years.

Ohio Penalties for Importuning

Importuning in Ohio carries severe penalties depending on the specific circumstances. For first offenses involving a minor under 13, it is charged as a third-degree felony, with potential prison time ranging from one to five years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

If you have prior convictions related to sex crimes or child-victim crimes, the charge is elevated to a second-degree felony, leading to a more rigorous prison term of two to eight years and/or a $15,000 fine.

For offenses involving individuals aged 13 to 15, a first offense is charged as a fifth-degree felony, carrying a six- to 12-month incarceration and/or a fine of up to $2,500. However, if you have prior sex crime or child-victim crime convictions, the charge escalates to a fourth-degree felony, resulting in a sentence of six to 18 months and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

It’s important to note that sex crime convictions in Ohio may require registration as a sex offender, which can have lifelong implications.

These penalties serve as a sobering reminder to take importuning allegations seriously. The potential consequences can be devastating, impacting your freedom, finances, and reputation. If you find yourself being questioned about importuning, it is crucial to seek the assistance of an experienced importuning lawyer in Lisbon without delay.

Contact Youngstown Criminal Law Group today at 330-992-3036 to discuss your case and protect your rights.

Importuning Defenses in Lisbon, OH

If you are facing importuning charges, your Lisbon prostitution lawyer may employ various defenses to protect your rights and interests. These defenses include:

• Access to the victim’s computer by another party: We can investigate if someone else had access to the victim’s computer, potentially challenging the evidence against you.

• Belief that the victim was of age: If there was a compelling reason to believe that the victim was of legal age, we can establish this as a defense.

• Offense in an adults-only online forum: If the alleged offense occurred in a chat room or online forum exclusively for adults, we can use this fact as part of your defense.

• Victim misrepresentation of age: If the victim misrepresented their age, we can challenge the validity of the charges against you.

• Police entrapment: We will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding your arrest to determine if law enforcement agents entrapped you.

These are just a few possible defenses, and a skilled Lisbon sex crimes lawyer will tailor your defense strategy based on the specific details of your case. Our ultimate objective is to highlight any inconsistencies in the prosecutor’s case against you and protect your rights throughout the legal process.

FAQs on Importuning Charges in Ohio

Q: What is an importuning charge?

A: An importuning charge in Ohio refers to the illegal act of soliciting a person under 13 years of age to engage in sexual activities. The Ohio Revised Code 2907.07 addresses the solicitation of minors, with additional regulations for other minors and offenders.

Q: Is importuning a felony in Ohio?

A: Yes, importuning offenses in Ohio are classified as felonies of varying degrees. The severity of the charge depends on factors such as the age of the alleged victim. The degrees range from fifth-degree felony to second-degree felony, with corresponding sentencing and fines for each degree.

Q: What defenses are available against an importuning charge?

A: Defending against importuning charges, particularly when the alleged offenses occurred online, can pose challenges for prosecutors. A skilled Lisbon sex crimes lawyer can question the credibility of the allegations by exploring several crucial aspects, including:

• Whether someone else had access to the offender’s computer or online accounts.
• Whether the alleged victim provided a convincing reason for the defendant to believe they were of legal age.
• Whether the alleged offense took place within an “adults-only” forum.

Q: If convicted of importuning, will I be required to register as a sex offender?

A: In most cases, if convicted of importuning, the court will likely require that you register as a convicted sex offender.

Experienced and Knowledgeable Lawyer Available in Lisbon

At the Youngstown Criminal Law Group, we specialize in handling importuning cases with the utmost expertise and dedication. Our team has the experience, knowledge, and resources necessary to battle relentless prosecutors. We take the time to listen to your side of the story, meticulously investigate the circumstances surrounding your case, and vigorously defend your rights. Our mission is to prove your innocence and safeguard your future.

With so much at stake—your freedom, your finances, and your reputation—you need the power of a competent Lisbon prostitution attorney on your side. The Youngstown Criminal Law Group is here to fight for you.

Don’t hesitate. Contact the Youngstown Criminal Law Group today if you’re facing importuning charges in Lisbon. Give us a call at 330-992-3036. Let us be your strong advocate and protect your rights throughout this difficult time.