Solicitation and Child Pornography:
Defense of Internet Sex Crimes in Chicago
The Internet has revolutionized the way we do so many things: shop, understand current events … and get in trouble with the law for Internet sex crimes.
Shady, secretive sex crimes have largely been replaced by the anonymous and relatively safe medium of the Internet. People use the Internet to offer their services as a paid sex worker, to shop for pornography, and to meet other people for casual sexual encounters.
However, just because it happens on the Internet doesn't make it legal. Many of the sex-related activities that people use the Internet for are crimes.
Using the Internet for sex crimes almost always leaves a trail on your computer, which is one reason why the police are chasing down Internet sex crimes offenders so aggressively — suspects are relatively easy to locate and evidence is fairly easy to gather.
What To Do if you Are Suspected of Committing Internet Crimes
If you are being investigated — or have already been arrested — for committing an Internet sex crime like solicitation or possession of child pornography, follow the advice of an experienced and savvy criminal defense lawyer:
- Don't say anything to the cops except your name, Social Security number if you have one, date of birth, address, and "I want to call a criminal defense lawyer."
- Other than keeping quiet, cooperate with the cops.
- Contact me immediately for help.
Solicitation: A Crime that Can Get you in a lot of Trouble
The Internet is a much safer way to solicit sex than a street corner. Female and male prostitutes use paid Web sites and free community boards like Craigslist to advertise their services and screen potential clients. Unfortunately, the police use these same Web sites to track down suspects in solicitation stings.
If you have been busted for solicitation, it pays to keep the phone number of an experienced criminal defense lawyer on the speed dial of your telephone. I have defended hundreds of prostitutes; I understand the nature of the business and the needs of my clients. I offer discrete, respectful and hard-hitting criminal defense for all my clients accused of illegal prostitution.
Possession of Child Pornography
Charges of possession of child pornography frequently arise in divorce cases. A wife rifles her husband's computer looking for evidence to support an alimony award, and she finds pornographic photographs or videos that seem to feature underage models.
What begins as ammunition in a high-conflict divorce case can frequently turn into a high-profile criminal investigation. A conviction for possession of child pornography is an automatic felony that will remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life.
Consult an Experienced South Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer
I have more than 25 years of legal experience, and I have practiced criminal law on both sides of the fight. I worked for three years as a prosecuting attorney before I opened my private criminal defense practice in 1994. If you have been arrested on a charge of any type of Internet sex crime and want sound legal advice — contact me immediately.
