Pensacola Internet Sex Crimes Attorneys

The internet is prevalent, and users are often shrouded in anonymity. It can be hard to know who you are communicating with and what is and isn’t safe to open. Computers, tablets, and smartphones are in almost every home in the U.S, and young people can oftentimes access the same information and websites as their parents and other family members. With technology so readily accessible, law enforcement has made it their priority to aggressively pursue those who may have access to child pornography or who are having sexually charged conversations with minors.

Internet sex crimes involving minors are serious offenses. Even the allegation of an internet sex crime with a minor can be enough to ruin an individual’s reputation, career, and family life. The repercussions of a conviction can last for years, and sometimes even a lifetime. If you are facing accusations of participating in any type of internet sex crime involving a minor, you need to contact the experienced Pensacola sex crime defense attorneys at The Morris Firm. We can help guide you through the legal process and defend your rights.

Do not wait to get legal representation on your side. You need a defense strategy immediately, no matter the charge. Call us today at (850) 503-2626, and we’ll set you up with a case evaluation to discuss the details of your situation.

What Are Internet Sex Crimes?

Internet sex crimes cover a broad range of offenses. The label “internet sex crimes” is generally used as an umbrella term to describe an offense that involves the sexual exploitation of a minor by using a technological device to either solicit or distribute information or materials. Florida law outlines multiple offenses that can be considered an internet sex crime. Some of the most common include:

Possession of Child Pornography – This offense is knowingly possessing, controlling, or viewing explicit material such as images or videos of minors engaging in sexual conduct.

Sexual Performance by a Minor – Possessing sexually explicit material such as videos or photos of minors engaged in sexual acts with the intent to promote, manufacture, sell, give, or transfer the material.

Transmission of Child Pornography – A person who is caught knowingly transmitting child pornography over the internet using any form of an electronic device may face a transmission charge.

Soliciting a Minor by Computer – Using the internet or any online forum or social media service to contact a minor with the intent of luring or enticing them into sexual contact is solicitation.

Traveling to Meet a Minor – Using the internet to lure a minor is one crime; using the internet to seduce or entice a minor and then physically traveling or attempting to travel to meet them in person for sexual contact is its own crime.

Exposing Minors to Harmful Sexual Contact – This includes knowingly and intentionally sending explicit material to minors, including pictures of genitals, masturbation, sexual acts, or other explicit material through electronic means.

Penalties for Internet Sex Crimes

There is a wide range of offenses that can be deemed internet sex crimes involving minors. That means that there is a wide range of penalties depending on the charge and the mitigating factors involved in the particular case. The nature of the offense and the strength of your defense team can significantly impact the outcome of your case and the possible penalties you may face or avoid. In general, these are the penalties for some of the most common internet sex crimes involving minors:

Possession of Child Pornography – Third-degree felony

Up to 5 years in prison
Note: Each picture, file, or video could be charged as a separate felony offense. Materials depicting more than one minor victim can also result in multiple felony charges, one on behalf of each child depicted.

Transmission of Child Pornography – Third-degree felony

Up to 5 years in prison

Soliciting a Minor by Computer – Third-degree felony

Up to 5 years in prison

Traveling to Meet a Minor – Second-degree felony

Up to 15 years in prison

Exposing Minors to Harmful Sexual Contact – Second-degree felony

Up to 15 years in prison

In addition to prison time, these offenses can also carry steep financial penalties such as fines, probation, and in most circumstances, a convicted individual will also have to register as a sex offender.

Registering as a Sex Offender in Florida

Registering as a sex offender in Florida takes away some degree of your freedom, even after you are released from prison. An individual must provide detailed information about themselves, where they live, and their employment status. Florida’s online sex offender registry is updated in real-time and is readily accessible to the public. That means your name, photo, and address is on display and relatively easy to find, so long after your release, the stigma of a sex crime can follow you for years.

When having to register as a sex offender, you will be asked to provide at least the following detailed information:

Full name
Identifying features such as height, weight, eye color, tattoos
Photograph
Date of birth
Address
Job-status
Employer information
Social security number
Telephone number
Email addresses
Fingerprints
Passport information
Professional licenses held
Vehicle information

Sex offenders are required to update their registration information at their county’s sheriff’s office either twice or four times each year, depending on the offense they were convicted of. In addition, when there is a change of address or job status an offender must notify their sheriff’s office within 48 hours of the change.

Contact an Experienced Defense Attorney Today

With the advances in computer forensics, you may feel like an internet sex crime is an open and shut case. That simply isn’t true. There are a variety of defense tactics that can prove your innocence or result in reduced charges. An experienced defense attorney will be able to review the specifics of your case and craft a defense strategy that aims for the most positive outcome for your case.

Florida prosecutors take sex crimes against minors very seriously and will prosecute these crimes aggressively. To counter their attack, you need a defense team with extensive experience on your side. At The Morris Firm, we are committed to protecting your rights and defending you against allegations of internet sex crimes. You may feel overwhelmed and like you are in a tight spot, but you don’t have to go through this process alone. Turn to the qualified defense team of The Morris Firm for help.