Traveling to Meet a Minor for Sex in Fort Lauderdale – What You Need to Know

So you or someone you know got busted in Fort Lauderdale for traveling to meet a minor for sex, huh? Man, that’s a rough situation with serious legal consequences. As a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer focused on sex crimes, I’ve seen these types of cases before and know how scary it can be. But don’t panic! With the right legal defense, we can get through this together.

In this article, I’ll break down Florida’s “traveling to meet a minor” laws, penalties if convicted, possible defenses we can use to fight the charges, and what to expect from the legal process. My goal is to educate you on the law so you understand what’s happening and feel empowered to make smart choices. Let’s dive in!

Florida’s “Traveling to Meet a Minor” Law – The Basics

Florida statute 847.0135(4) makes it a felony in the second degree to travel within or outside of Florida to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct after using the Internet or other digital platforms to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice the minor. Whew, that’s a mouthful!

In simple terms, it’s against the law in FL to chat online with someone you think is under 18 in order to hook up for sex, then actually travel to meet them. The “illegal sexual conduct” means stuff like sexual battery, lewd behavior, prostitution, child porn, etc. – you get the gist. It doesn’t matter if the minor was real or not. Just the fact you traveled after the dirty talk is enough to get charged.

Penalties If Convicted of Traveling to Meet a Minor

These traveling sex crime charges are taken very seriously in Fort Lauderdale and can carry stiff penalties if convicted, including:

• Up to 15 years in state prison. Ouch!
• Extended probation up to life and having to register as a sex offender. Not good.
• Hefty fines up to $10,000. There goes your savings!
• Permanent criminal record making it hard to get jobs, housing, etc. Lame.

As you can see, a conviction can negatively impact your life in so many ways. But don’t wave the white flag yet – keep reading to learn about potential defenses.

Fighting Traveling to Meet a Minor Charges – Possible Defenses

In many of these stings, law enforcement uses questionable tactics that may violate your rights. A skilled criminal lawyer can spot legal holes in their case and build strong defenses like:

• You were entrapped – This means cops induced you to commit a crime you otherwise wouldn’t have. Common in online sex stings when police pretend to be a minor.
• Invalid search warrant – If the cops gathered evidence illegally by searching your home or devices without a proper warrant, that evidence can get thrown out.
• Misidentification – If you weren’t the one chatting online but someone else used your device or IP address, you could be wrongfully accused.
• You changed your mind – If you planned to meet but backed out before actually traveling, that shows you didn’t intend to break the law.

As you can see, an experienced Fort Lauderdale sex crimes attorney can often get charges reduced or dismissed by capitalizing on sloppy police work. Don’t lose hope!

What to Expect From the Legal Process

If you’ve been arrested for traveling to meet a minor, here’s a quick overview of what to expect in the legal process:

• Arrest and booking – Police will take you into custody, fingerprint, photograph, and process you.
• Bond hearing – This determines if you’ll be released from jail on bail while fighting the charges. A bondsman can front the money if you can’t afford high bail.
• Arraignment – Your first court appearance where charges are formally presented and you enter a “not guilty” plea.
• Discovery – Your lawyer will get access to the prosecution’s evidence so they can start building your defense strategy.
• Plea negotiations – Many cases end with a plea bargain to lesser charges to avoid trial. Your attorney will leverage defenses to try negotiating a better deal.
• Trial – If no plea deal, your case heads to trial where a jury decides if you’re guilty or not guilty after hearing arguments and evidence.

I know this seems scary and overwhelming, but an experienced sex crimes lawyer can guide you through the process and fight aggressively in your defense. Don’t go it alone!

Reach Out to a Fort Lauderdale Traveling to Meet Minor Lawyer Today

I hope this article helped you understand Florida’s traveling to meet a minor laws and what to expect if facing charges in Fort Lauderdale. My advice? Don’t say anything to the cops and reach out to a local criminal defense lawyer immediately. As an experienced traveling sex crimes attorney, I can evaluate your case for free and discuss legal strategies. Don’t leave your future to chance – call me now so we can start building the strongest defense!