Selling and Buying of Children

Criminal charges can run the gamut from extremely minor offenses that most people agree should not even constitute crime, all the way up to heinous offenses that shock the conscious of even the most insensitive people. Whereas minor offenses like drug possession or reckless driving might end up dropped or with a slap on the wrist, more significant crimes can result in serious prison sentences and heavy fines. Crimes involving victims are a whole other story. When victims are involved, the prosecution views them almost like they are their clients and will more vigorously prosecute the case.

Criminal charges again become even more serious when the victims involved are children. Society in general does not take kindly to defendants convicted of crimes involving children, and that sentiment is reflected in the criminal justice system. Children often have a difficult time defending themselves, and require an advocate in the courtroom to speak on their behalf. It is also simply human nature to have a desire to defend a child and achieve justice on their behalf. Anyone charged with a crime involving a child victim should not hesitate to reach out to a skilled Sarasota criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible for a consultation.

Even more wrinkles emerge in the criminal justice process when the offenses are charged at the Federal level. Federal prosecutions are notoriously more serious than those for similar state level offenses. Federal prosecutors have access to vaster resources, more effective investigators, and stiffer sentencing, and they don’t hesitate to put those resources to work against defendants. Federal judges are authorized to hand down harsher sentences. Defense lawyers have access to fewer discovery tools. These aspects of the Federal judicial system make it imperative that you obtain a skilled and dedicated attorney to have your back.

One of the most serious Federal charges that a person can face is selling and buying of children. This offense is prohibited under United States Code chapter 18 section 2251A. The law prohibits parents and legal guardians from selling or transferring the custody of a child to another person with the knowledge that the minor would be used in the production of child pornography. Additionally, anyone found to have purchased or obtained custody of a minor for the purpose of portraying that minor in sexually explicit productions is also guilty of this Federal offense. Clearly, the facts underlying a charge of selling or buying of children are heinous ones. This crime was enacted by our Federal government to curtail the sex trafficking and enslavement of minors in the United States.

The penalties for defendants convicted of a charge of selling and buying children make it all the more important that a defendant facing such charges hire a skilled Sarasota criminal defense lawyer. For a first offense for either selling or buying children, a defendant will receive a mandatory minimum sentence of thirty years in prison. No maximum sentence exists. And if the court finds that the minor was transported via interstate commerce, or that the transfer of custody was facilitated by email or by the use of the internet, then the required mandatory sentence becomes life in prison. Don’t allow yourself to be steamrolled by the criminal justice system. Consult with a lawyer today.

The attorneys at Hanlon Law have the skills, experience, and tenacity to fight for you. We take great pride in the excellent results that we achieve for our clients. Unlike other defense firms that might encourage you to plea, we will make every possible effort to seek the dismissal of charges or the reduction of charges. We are ready and able to work to achieve those same excellent result for you or your loved one. Call us today for a consultation at 941.462.1789.