As the internet has become more and more prevalent in our society, so have the disturbing instances of internet sex-related offenses.  These are not just about satisfying one's sexual interests or making money, but they often involve heinous acts that can scar lives.

Whether it be sex trafficking, child pornography, or whatever other thing that somebody can think of, we've even moved into the realm of individuals who have videotaped their partners having sex with them and attempted to get revenge and posted those videos on the internet.  Therefore, the law has had to address this.

It's important to note that the police, the prosecutors, the judges, and the legislature have laws that are specifically designed to catch and punish people who are involved in internet sex-related offenses. This should provide some reassurance to those who are concerned about these crimes.

Despite being a relatively new area of the law, the authorities have developed sophisticated means to track individuals involved in internet sex crimes. This underscores the inevitability of legal consequences for such actions, which can include significant prison time, sex offender registration, and other penalties that can have a lasting impact on your life.

If you've been arrested or charged with an internet sex-related crime, it's crucial to seek legal representation. With the right attorney, you can navigate these serious charges and work towards a favorable resolution. Remember, you have the power to defend yourself.

Human Trafficking – California Penal Code 236.1 PC

For example, sex trafficking, commonly known as human trafficking under California Penal Code 236.1 (CALCRIM 1243), where people use the internet and various other platforms to either traffic underage girls or overage women to buyers who are attempting to have sex with these women.

These are the types of offenses that the police in law enforcement and even judges are on guard to punish very severely with state prison, sex registration under California Penal Code 290, and whatever else they can think of that makes sense in trying to stamp out sex trafficking-related offenses.

Revenge Porn – California Penal Code 647(j)(4) PC

Also, revenge videos that people are putting on the internet of their girlfriend/boyfriend, husband/wife, in order to embarrass them, are being prosecuted at a record rate under the classification of revenge warrant.  This is known as “revenge porn” described under California Penal Code 647(j)(4). Other offenses, such as soliciting sex from a minor online or distributing child pornography, are also being aggressively prosecuted.

So, the internet crimes that are out there, like, for example, people who are going into chat rooms and trying to lure underage individuals into having sex with them, don't realize that law enforcement has infiltrated the internet.  They're posing in chat rooms as young children.

They're putting ads on Craigslist to try to catch people who are involved in trying to get sex for money.  They're posing as Johns in prostitution-sting operations on the internet.  The list goes on and on.

So, suppose you've become entangled in this web. In that case, you immediately have to protect yourself and do damage control, and see if you have a defense, and obviously, retain an attorney to employ that defense for you, even if you do not have a defense to the crime. They've got the goods on you; there are so many different things that could happen to you.

The only thing that is going to make a difference is your advocate — your attorney, whom you hired to defend you.  That attorney can do a number of things — file certain motions that might be relevant to your case, such as a motion to suppress evidence obtained illegally, and certainly bring to the attention of the prosecutor and judge mitigating circumstances surrounding you and your particular case, such as your lack of criminal history or your remorse for your actions.

So, if you've been charged with an internet sex-related offense, pick up the phone.  Call the Hedding Law Firm.  I'm happy to meet with you.  We can discuss everything, explore your best options, and help you exit the criminal justice system as quickly as possible.