Illinois Online Solicitation Defense Attorney

Protecting Your Rights After Online Stings

Law enforcement authorities in Illinois are devoting significant time and resources to reducing online exploitation of children. Through stings aimed at online solicitation of minors, officers may pose as underage Internet users. Investigations of child pornography are on the rise.

If you are facing criminal charges relating to online solicitation or child pornography, you are facing the potential for serious consequences. With these high stakes, you can rely on the experienced Naperville sex crimes attorney at the Law Office of Philip R. Nathe to protect your rights and work with you to create a strong defense for your case.

Effective Defense Against Serious Felonies

Child pornography and online solicitation are serious felonies in Illinois. You can be convicted of these crimes even if you never left your living room. In the event you are convicted of online solicitation or child pornography crimes, you will be required to register as a sex offender in Illinois, in addition to other severe criminal penalties.

The offense of indecent solicitation of a child involves requesting that a child under the age of 17 engage in sexual intercourse or sexual conduct. Discussing these acts online with a child with the intent of engaging in actions that could be considered criminal sexual assault or criminal sexual abuse may result in criminal charges. Using a computer, cell phone, or other internet-connected devices to make arrangements to meet a child without their parent's knowledge may result in charges of solicitation to meet a child. These offenses will usually result in Class 4 felony charges at a minimum, and more serious felony charges may apply if a person is accused of attempting to commit sexual abuse, sexual assault, or aggravated sexual assault.

Child pornography charges may apply if a person is accused of creating, distributing, or possessing any visual depictions of children under the age of 18 who are engaging in sexual conduct or are depicted in a way that is meant to be sexually arousing. Under Illinois law, accusations of possession of child pornography will usually result in Class 3 felony charges at minimum, and Class 1 or Class X felony charges may apply if a person is accused of producing or distributing child pornography. However, since child pornography offenses often involve downloading or transmitting images or videos via the Internet, federal charges will often apply, and a person may face more serious penalties if they are convicted.

With potential sentences that include significant fines, years or decades in prison, and lifetime sex offender registration, you need a skilled and experienced defense attorney for child pornography and online solicitation charges.

Mr. Nathe has decades of experience working in the region's criminal justice system. Before he began a private criminal defense practice more than 20 years ago, he served as a probation officer and prosecutor. As a result, our firm understands how sex charges are prosecuted and how to defend against them. When you retain our firm, we will search out weaknesses in the prosecution's case and use them to your advantage.

• If your charge is the result of an officer pretending to be an underage female online, there may have been confusion about the girl's age.
• The state may not be able to prove that any images involved show children under the age of 18.
• Even if your computer was used, the state may not be able to prove that you were the person involved.

When you retain our firm, we will search out any weaknesses in the prosecution's case and use them to your advantage.

Contact Our DuPage County Child Pornography Defense Attorney

If you are charged with an online sex crime, do not delay. Schedule a free initial consultation with our lawyer by calling 630-416-7600, toll free at 888-583-6197, or contacting us online.