Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes

When a person encourages or solicits a child who is younger than 16 years old (see age of consent in Michigan) to commit any kind or type of sexual act, he or she can be convicted of accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for immoral purposes.

Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes

DEFINITION

Accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for immoral purposes can be found under the Michigan Penal Code 750.145a.

A person will be found guilty if they accost, entice, or solicit any of the following:

1. A child less than 16 years of age, regardless of whether the person knows the individual is a child or knows the actual age of the child
2. An individual whom he or she believes is a child less than 16 years of age with the intent to induce or force that child or individual to commit an immoral act, to submit to an act of what is sexual penetration or an act of gross indecency, or to any other act of depravity or delinquency

Anyone who encourages a child less than 16 years of age, regardless of whether the person knows the individual is a child or knows the actual age of the child, or an individual whom he or she believes is a child less than 16 years of age to engage in any of the above sexual acts is guilty of a felony offense.

BLANK LAW, PC EXAMPLES

• The accused approached a child at a school playground and asked for him/her to perform an illegal sex act. That is enough for the state to charge the accused with accosting a child for immoral purposes.
• The accused was on the internet communicating with a child he knew to be 12 years old. The accused offered the child candy, movie tickets and shopping money in exchange for performing oral sex on him. That is enough for the state to charge the accused with accosting a child for immoral purposes.

PENALTY

A person convicted of accosting a child for immoral purposes is facing a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than four years, a fine of not more than $4,000, or both.

Sex offender registration on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry also applies applies to accosting a child for immoral purposes. This is considered a Tier II offender crime, and the alleged victim would have to register on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry for 25 years. Learn more on what is a Tier 2 sex offender here.

DEFENSE

The state is required to demonstrate that the accused had a specific intent to induce or force the child to commit the acts the accuser is alleging.

Accosting a child for immoral purposes involves elements of urging or entreating. The person committing the said crime must have the intent to induce or force the child to commit an immoral act, to submit to an act of sexual intercourse or gross indecency, or to submit to any act of depravity or delinquency OR to encourage the minor child to engage in any such acts.

Few years ago, this kind of crime usually took place in a public park or at schools. The accused usually approaches the minor and asks for sexual intercourse and other illegal sexual activity.

Today, however, with the advancement of technology, this kind of crime now takes place online or via the internet. It is usually within the world of social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) that this type of sex crime takes place.

Some possible defense strategies that your skilled sex crimes defense attorney could employ include:

• Entrapment: When arrested by law enforcement officers through an undercover police officer internet sting operation
• Not Solicitation: If the underlying charge is solicitation over the internet

Although the scope of the charge of accosting, enticing, or soliciting a child for immoral purposes in Michigan is very broad, it is a very serious sex crime.

If you or someone you know is being investigated and/or accused of accosting for immoral purpose, hiring an aggressive Michigan criminal sexual conduct attorney that specializes in child sex crimes must be your top priority. You will need an experienced criminal sexual conduct lawyer to fight for your life.

Let Criminal Defense Attorney Nicole Blank Becker Help You with Your Case

Time is of the essence, and you should immediately call former Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit Nicole Blank Becker of Blank Law, PC.

Having worked with countless people facing all kinds of sex crime charges, Nicole understands that being charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes does not define who you are. Nicole is ready to fight for you and your rights, and she does not back down.

Nicole insists on building a solid attorney-client relationship so the truth can finally be told. When speaking to Nicole, you will feel the stress lift off of your shoulders and happily put onto hers. You will even feel at ease when sharing the details of your case, which is critical to building a strong defense. She believes in honesty and not making false promises.

Call Blank Law, PC today for a free initial consultation. Call (248) 515-6583 or fill out this online contact form to book your free consultation and get criminal defense attorney Nicole Blank Becker on your case.

Our contact form sends information through unencrypted email, so you do not have to worry about your confidential or sensitive information being compromised.