Accosting a Minor
Michigan Penal Code 750.145a defines the crime and penalties of accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for sexual activity or other immoral purposes. The actor must have the intent:
1) to induce or force the child to commit an immoral act, to submit to an act of sexual intercourse or gross indecency, or to submit to any act of depravity or delinquency; or
2) to encourage the minor to engage in any of those acts. Read Michigan’s penal code here.
In the past, the accosting of a child has normally taken place in a park or at a school, where the defendant approaches the child and asks for an illegal sexual activity.
Nowadays, child accosting tends to take place online. Sometimes, people believe that internet predators are more difficult to catch or that one is simply able to hide behind a computer screen.
Not only are these false assumptions, but internet crimes bring serious and harsh penalties with them. If you are up against an internet crimes charge, and particularly one that involves a minor child, you are going to need an experienced and aggressive defense criminal defense attorney to fight for you.
Penalties for Accosting a Minor in Michigan
Even if it doesn’t happen over the internet internet, the penalties for accosting a minor will not be light. First offenders will face felony penalties of up to 4 years in prison, up to $4,000 in fines, or both. Second and subsequent offenders will face up to 10 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both.
If you have used a computer to facilitate your crime of accosting a minor, then the penalties are even worse. Prosecuting attorneys in Michigan usually add on an additional felony charge of using a a computer to commit a crime.
In addition to all possible prison penalties, accosting a minor is a Tier 2 offense on Michigan’s sex offender registry. This means that accosting a minor will land you a spot on the sex offender registry for the next 25 years, unless you are able to qualify for early removal. If you would like to learn about the removal process, you can consult with one of our attorneys. However, removal is rare.
Michigan Attorneys with Expertise
The Kronzek Firm is a premiere Michigan sex crimes defense firm. Our attorneys have focused on defending criminal sex related charges and false allegations of sexual crimes.
We have decades of trial experience and have received excellent outcomes for many clients in these very tough situations. We can help you to make the best out of a difficult circumstance.
Our attorneys are known as tough defenders of justice for those falsely accused of any type of sex crime. We are not afraid of taking your case to trial and we are ready to defend and protect your rights. We know how to win a sex crime case, and we are ready to help you with yours.
Contact us now: 866-7-NoJail. We have attorneys on standby at all times.