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Criminal Defense Lawyer in Orlando, FL

Traveling to Meet a Minor

Crimes against children are considered especially heinous, and none so heinous as crimes of a sexual nature against children. In an effort to protect minors, the law criminalizes not only sexual contact with children, but even the potential or intended sexual contact with children - such as traveling to meet a minor. These laws are becoming increasingly relevant in today’s digital age, with the vague legal wording constantly up for debate. If you’ve been accused of traveling to meet a minor, contact Hanlon Law today to schedule a free consultation.


What is Traveling to Meet a Minor? 


Traveling to meet a minor is, at its core, exactly what it sounds like: physically traveling from one location to another, with the intention of meeting someone under the age of 18 at the destination, and the intention to commit some kind of sexual act involving that minor.


Florida statute 847.0135 addresses certain electronic crimes of a sexual nature relating to children, and subsection 4 addresses traveling to meet a minor. The definition is long, but simplified to its base parts: 


Any person who: 


  1. Travels, attempts to travel, or causes another to travel any distance within this state, to this state, or from this state by any means
  2. For the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with a child (or a person believed by the perpetrator to be a child)
  3. After using electronic means to: 
  • Seduce, solicit, lure, and/or entice (or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, and/or entice) a child (or a person believed by the perpetrator to be a child) to engage in unlawful sexual conduct
  • Seduce, solicit, lure, and/or entice (or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, and/or entice) a parent, legal guardian, and/or custodian of a child (or a person believed by the perpetrator to be a child) to consent to the child’s participation in unlawful sexual conduct

“Electronic means” includes computer online service, Internet service, local bulletin board service, and any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission.


Traveling to Meet a Minor Entrapment


With the zeal to capture those attempting to take advantage of children, many law enforcement officers engage in schemes where they pose as children in online forums and allow themselves to be ‘lured’ into a meeting. If you actually go to this meeting, you can be arrested for traveling to meet a minor. 


However, this situation is borderline entrapment, which is illegal, and can lead to the case being thrown out. There’s a fine line between being caught committing a crime and being coerced or otherwise misled into a crime. An experienced defense attorney like Will Hanlon at Hanlon Law will be able to help you determine if your case might constitute entrapment. 


What Are the Consequences of Traveling to Meet a Minor?


Traveling to meet a minor is charged as a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. 


Those convicted of this crime are also sentenced to mandatory sex offender registration. The sex offender registry is a publically-accessible list of everyone convicted of sexual felonies. The list contains identifying information that varies depending on the requirements of the state and the crime committed. Such information might include your name, crime, mugshot, address, vehicles, employment, and more. 


Those sentenced to sex offender registration are required to submit their information to be added to the list, and will then be required to update that information on an annual basis. You’ll also be required to update your entry if any information changes between annual updates. If your name is on the sex offender registry, you will likely face difficulties when attempting to secure housing, education, and employment. 


Defending Against Traveling to Meet a Minor Charges


While the parameters of this crime are fairly clear based on the language used by the statute, the crime itself can be difficult to prosecute due to the element of intent. In order to “seduce, solicit, lure, or entice” a minor into meeting you for unlawful sexual acts, you have to actually intend for your actions to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice. Similarly, if you are arrested for traveling in the general direction of an agreed-upon meeting with a minor, but are not actually arrested at that location, it can be difficult to prove that you were actually intending to go to the meeting. Even if you do show up for the meeting, were you actually intending to commit any unlawful sexual acts? 


Intent is generally a wild card, as there is no way to prove what you were or were not thinking at the time you acted. Your word alone isn’t necessarily enough to prove lack of intent – but then, the word of the victim isn’t necessarily enough to prove presence of intent, either.


Lakeland Criminal Defense Lawyers


The number of people arrested for traveling to meet a minor has increased as the world becomes more and more digital, and as more and more schemes by law enforcement result in successful meetings. But with the potential entrapment, the component of intent, and the numerous ways this kind of crime can be committed, it’s vital to have an experienced defense attorney familiar with law, precedent, and navigating the courtroom on your side. Will Hanlon with Hanlon Law has nearly twenty years representing the accused. Our seasoned legal team will help you build your best possible case to secure the best possible outcome. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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