Internet Sex Crimes

Defending against Internet Sex Crime Charges in New York

An internet sex crime can either take place via the internet or be initiated through an online contact. While not exclusive to a sexual offense against a minor it is true that most internet crimes involve children or minors. Generally one could define an internet sex crime as:

• When the relationship between the victim and the accused was started via an online contact
• It can involve the exploitation or sexual victimization of another via the use of the internet. This could be a former mate or sexual partner that utilizes the internet to sexually exploit the victim.
• Child pornography being displayed or distributed via the internet
• It can also be extended to cover the housing, storage or any form of retention of child pornography on one's computer or some such digital device
• The case involves some form of internet related undercover investigation

Many of these charges are brought about as the result of law enforcement officials posing online as a potential victim and then entrapping the accused in a physical meeting. In this situation it is very easy to have ones rights violated and to have been drawn into an illegal act. Fighting such charges requires expert legal representation from a New York sex crimes defense attorney. With over four decades of collective experience the Law Firm of Brian D. Perskin has the familiarity and experience to defend your case.

Potential Penalties

Recent amendments to New York Penal Codes have added heightened penalties as well as expanded the scope of the law in regards to sexual offenses. This was broadly accomplished in February of 2001 under the Sexual Assault Reform Act (SARA). Since then many amendments and modifications have been made to keep these laws up-to-date. Depending upon the extent of the crime, past criminal records and any aggravating circumstances you could be facing:

• Significant imprisonment time
• Financial fines
• Court mandated therapy or rehab programs
• Probation

Many of these offenses will be tried as felonies. In this case one would also face the additional loss of rights such as voting and the right to own a firearm. In the State of New York the law allows of an additional five years of imprisonment if one engaged in sex with a child after contact was made via the internet.