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Traveling To Meet A Minor

Being accused of Traveling To Meet A Minor is an extremely serious matter that can carry life-altering consequences, including prison time, sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your reputation and career. Call now for a confidential consultation with an experienced sex crimes defense attorney to discuss your options and begin building a strong defense.

Tampa Traveling to Meet a Minor Defense Attorney

What is Traveling To Meet A Minor in Florida?

Any person who travels any distance either within this state, to this state, or from this state by any means, who attempts to do so, or who causes another to do so or to attempt to do so for the purpose of engaging in any illegal act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in other unlawful sexual conduct with a child or with another person believed by the person to be a child, after using a computer online service, internet service, local bulletin board service, or any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission to: 

(a) Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child or another person believed by the person to be a child, to engage in any illegal act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in other unlawful sexual conduct with a child; or

(b) Solicit, lure, or entice or attempt to solicit, lure, or entice a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child or a person believed to be a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child to consent to the participation of such child in any act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in any sexual conduct,

commits a felony of the 2nd degree.

Potential Prison Time

Traveling To Meet A Minor is a 2nd degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in Florida State Prison.

Jail Cell
Court Fine

Potential Fine

A conviction for Traveling To Meet A Minor can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

What Are The Elements Of Traveling to Meet a Minor?

(Florida Standard Jury Instruction 11.17(c))

To prove the crime of Traveling to Meet a Minor, the State must prove the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:


1. (Defendant) used a[n] [computer on-line service] [Internet service] [local bulletin board service] [device capable of electronic data storage or transmission] to [seduce] [solicit] [lure] [entice] [attempt to [seduce] [solicit] [lure] [entice]] a [child] [person believed by the defendant to be a child] to engage in [(insert illegal act in chapter 794, 800, or 827 as alleged in the charging instrument)] [unlawful sexual conduct].


2. (Defendant) then [traveled] [attempted to travel] [caused another to travel] [attempted to cause another to travel] [within this state] [to this state] [from this state] for the purpose of [(insert violation of chapter 794, 800, or 827 as alleged in the charging instrument)] [unlawful sexual conduct] with a [child] [person believed by the defendant to be a child].


The mere fact that an undercover operative or law enforcement officer was involved in the detection and investigation of this offense shall not constitute a defense from prosecution.


Definitions.
A “child” means any person, whose identity is known or unknown, younger than 18 years of age.


Give the following definitions if applicable. Additional definitions can be added as applicable depending on the nature of the alleged illegal conduct. See § 847.001, Fla. Stat.


“Sexual conduct” means actual or simulated sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, sexual bestiality, masturbation, or sadomasochistic abuse; actual or simulated lewd exhibition of the genitals; actual physical contact with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if such person is a female, breast with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of either party; or any act or conduct which constitutes sexual battery or simulates that sexual battery is being or will be committed. [A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance constitute “sexual conduct.”]


“Simulated” means the explicit depiction of sexual conduct which creates the appearance of such conduct and which exhibits any uncovered portion of the breasts, genitals, or buttocks.


“Sadomasochistic abuse” means flagellation or torture by or upon a person or animal, or the condition of being fettered, bound, or otherwise physically restrained, for the purpose of deriving sexual satisfaction, or satisfaction
brought about as a result of sadistic violence, from inflicting harm upon another
or receiving such harm oneself.


“Sexual battery” means oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, or
union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or female genital penetration
of another by any other object[; however, sexual battery does not include an act
done for a bona fide medical purpose. “Bona fide” means genuine].


Phillips v. State, 238 So. 3d 308 (Fla. 4th DCA 2018).
“Union” means contact.


Lakey v. State, 113 So. 3d 90 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013).
“An object” includes a finger.


“Deviate sexual intercourse” means sexual conduct between persons not
married to each other consisting of contact between the penis and the anus, the
mouth and the penis, or the mouth and the vulva.


“Sexual bestiality” means any sexual act, actual or simulated, between a
person and an animal involving the sex organ of the one and the mouth, anus, or
female genitals of the other.


“Female genitals” includes the labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, vulva,
hymen, and vagina.


Give if applicable. § 775.0862, Fla. Stat.
Enhancement for sexual offense against student by school authority figure.
If you find that (defendant) committed the crime of Traveling to Meet a
Minor, you must also determine whether the State has proved beyond a
reasonable doubt that (defendant) was an authority figure at a school and (victim)
was a student at the same school.


“Authority figure” means a person 18 years of age or older who is
employed by, volunteering at, or under contract with a school.


“School” means an organization of students for instructional purposes on
an elementary, middle or junior high school, secondary or high school, [or other
public school level authorized under the rules of the State Board of Education].
The term “school” does not include facilities dedicated exclusively to the
education of adults. If needed, insert appropriate definitions from
§ 775.0862(1)(b), Fla. Stat. for “private school” or “voluntary prekindergarten education
program” or “early learning program” or “public school as described in s. 402.3025(1)” or
“the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind” or the “Florida Virtual School” or the “K-8
Virtual School.”


“Student” means a person younger than 18 years of age who is enrolled at
a school.

Sex Offender Registration

Sex Offender Registration Requirements

​Florida imposes some of the strictest sex offender registration and reporting requirements in the country. Individuals required to register must provide detailed person information such as addresses, employment, vehicles, electronic identifiers, fingerprints, and photographs, and must keep that information continuously updated with law enforcement. Failure to comply with these strict reporting requirements can result in new felony charges, making timely reporting an ongoing and critical obligation for anyone on Florida's registry.

Call Now For A Free Consultation

If you've been charged with Traveling To Meet A Minor, it's important to act quickly. A conviction can result in significant prison time and require you to register as a sex offender and continuously remain compliant with Florida's strict reporting and registration requirements. Call now to speak with an experienced Sex Crimes Defense Attorney and take the first step towards building a strong defense.

Tampa Traveling to Meet a Minor Attorney

Address

625 E Twiggs Street

Tampa, FL 33602

Contact

813-787-4849

Jruffinhuntlaw@gmail.com

Tampabaycriminaljustice.com

Hours

Mon - Fri

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Client Testimonials

"Ruffin was awesome and did everything he said he would do to the letter. If there was a 10-star rating, I would give him one of those. Highly recommend him for anything you need!"

Scott

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