An importuning charge in Cincinnati, OH, isn’t something anyone wants to deal with. You may be worried about your job, your family finding out, or whether your name will end up on a public registry. Some importuning cases involve online conversations with an undercover officer posing as a minor.
When you find yourself in this situation, you need a lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio, who you can trust and who won’t judge you. That’s where Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers comes in. We’re here to assist defendants with every step.
Call us today at (513) 333-0014 to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati importuning lawyer.
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Why Hire Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers After an Importuning Arrest in Cincinnati, OH?
People charged with importuning in Cincinnati, Ohio, turn to Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for a variety of reasons. Our legal team includes former police officers and prosecutors, giving us insight into how sex crimes cases are investigated and prosecuted.
Clients choose our Cincinnati criminal defense attorneys because we offer:
- 100+ years of combined experience
- Recognition among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Attorneys named to Super Lawyers
- A 10.0 Avvo rating
When you are facing an importuning charge in Cincinnati, we can review the allegations, explain the law, and help you understand your options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati sex crimes lawyer.
Overview of Importuning in Ohio
Importuning is an Ohio offense that prohibits several forms of solicitation involving minors, including certain requests to engage in sexual activity or sexual conduct.
The statute covers several situations, including:
- Soliciting a child under 13 for sexual activity
- An adult 18 or older soliciting a 13-, 14-, or 15-year-old for sexual conduct when the adult is at least four years older than the minor
- An adult 18 or older soliciting a 16- or 17-year-old human trafficking victim for sexual conduct when the adult is at least four years older and knows or recklessly disregards the minor’s age
- Soliciting a person under 16 who is substantially impaired by a mental or physical condition
- An adult using a phone, the internet, a messaging app, or another telecommunications device to solicit a child under 13, or a police officer posing as a child under 13, when the adult knows, believes, or is reckless about the claimed age
- Similar electronic solicitation involving someone 13 to 15 when the adult is at least four years older
The electronic provisions can apply when the communication originates in Ohio or is received in Ohio, so an out-of-state conversation can still lead to charges here. A Cincinnati sex crimes attorney can help you understand how the law applies to your case.
What Are the Penalties for Importuning in Cincinnati, Ohio?
The penalty for importuning depends on which part of the statute is involved and whether you have a prior record.
Penalties can range depending on the charge, such as:
- Second-degree felony: Applies if the defendant has qualifying prior sexually oriented or child-victim offenses; carries 2 to 8 years mandatory prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
- Third-degree felony: Covers solicitation of children under 13, impaired minors, or electronic solicitation; carries 9 to 36 months in prison (mandatory if an in-person meeting was arranged) and up to a $10,000 fine.
- Fourth-degree felony: Applies to fifth-degree felony offenses committed with a qualifying prior conviction; carries mandatory prison of 12 to 18 months and up to a $5,000 fine.
- Fifth-degree felony: Covers solicitation of 13- to 15-year-olds when the adult is at least four years older; carries 6 to 12 months prison (mandatory if the adult is 10+ years older and arranged a meeting) and up to a $2,500 fine.
Importuning is classified as a sexually oriented offense in Ohio. An adult conviction is generally classified as Tier I, although prior sex-offense history can affect classification. For an adult, Tier I generally means registering for 15 years.
Our Cincinnati importuning attorneys can provide a thorough evaluation of your specific circumstances, working to mitigate these severe consequences by challenging the prosecution’s evidence or negotiating for reduced charges.
What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’m Arrested for Importuning?
Most importuning cases come down to what the messages actually say, how the investigation was conducted, and what the state can prove.
A Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer may argue that:
- You never actually asked for sexual activity or sexual conduct covered by the statute.
- The facts support an entrapment defense because law enforcement induced conduct you were not already predisposed to commit. Merely providing an opportunity to commit the offense generally is not enough.
- You were not the person sending the messages because someone else had access to your phone, account, or computer.
- For subsections that require proof of a particular belief, knowledge, or recklessness about age, the state cannot prove the required mental state.
- Evidence obtained through an unconstitutional search of your phone, computer, or account may be subject to suppression.
The right defense depends on the specific subsection charged and what the records actually show. Our team can review the allegations and the evidence to determine which defenses may apply.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a Cincinnati Importuning Lawyer Today
If you have been arrested for importuning in Cincinnati, or you think you are under investigation, avoid giving detailed statements to police about the allegations before speaking with a defense lawyer. What you say can become part of the state’s case.
The team at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can review the online records, examine how the investigation was conducted, and compare the allegations with the communications and other evidence prosecutors intend to use. Reach out to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati importuning attorney today.
