What is a “Luring” Charge in Arizona?

Sex crimes can be tough crimes to fight, but having an understanding of the different offenses can be helpful when you are up against the state of Arizona. Today, we review some basics of “luring,” which is a lesser known but severe criminal offense.

Definition of Luring

In Arizona, “luring a minor for sexual exploitation” means that a suspect offers sexual conduct when he or she knows or has reason to know that the other person is a minor. Luring is a class 3 felony, and there are harsher punishments if the minor is under fifteen years old.

Interestingly, a defendant in a luring case cannot offer the defense that the other person was not, in fact, a minor. For example, oftentimes, investigators suspect an individual of luring and pretend to be a minor on an internet platform. The investigators themselves are over 18 years of age, but the person committing the luring believes the investigators are different people, i.e. that they are minors themselves. Even though the investigators are not actually minors, this does not matter for the criminal offense: all that matters is that the suspect has reason to know that the second individual was a minor.

Another important fact about luring is that it ultimately does not matter if the suspect and the minor never meet up. The “luring” offense has to do with the offering of sexual conduct, not with the meet-up itself. Therefore, a person who sends sexual messages to a minor, asking them to meet up (but never actually initiating or following through on the meet up) could still be charged with and ultimately found guilty of luring a minor.

Sentences for Luring

Sentencing for luring a minor can range from two years to twenty-two years, depending on prior felonies and the age of the minor. To fight a harsh sentence, make sure you retain an experienced, aggressive Phoenix sex crimes attorney that is familiar with the statute and can help you figure out how to get the most favorable outcome possible in your case.

Do You Need a Phoenix Sex Crimes Attorney by Your Side?

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Arizona, give the Law Office of James E. Novak a call so that we can help you figure out how to move forward. It can be extremely difficult to navigate the criminal legal landscape in Arizona, but with the right Phoenix sex crimes attorney, you can give yourself the best possible shot at getting your charges dropped. For an attorney with experience, strategy, and aggressive trial tactics, contact the Law Office of James E. Novak. For your free and confidential consultation with an experienced Phoenix sex crimes attorney, call us today at 480-413-1499. You can also fill out our online form to have someone from our team reach back out to you as soon as possible about the next steps in your case. Our firm handles sex crimes, violent crimes, drug charges, vehicular crimes, disorderly conduct cases, and more.