Minneapolis Sex Crime Attorney
Strategic Sex Crime lawyer that will Fight for YOU
Minnesota statutes criminalize various sexual acts, including criminal sexual conduct, indecent exposure, child pornography, prostitution, and more. Being convicted of a sex crime can result in harsh penalties and a damaged reputation. It is important to have a Minneapolis sex crime lawyer on your side immediately if you are being investigated for this offense. These cases tend to be extremely complex, which is why you need an attorney that will take the time to diligently analyze the evidence and attack the State’s case. Trevor Lushanko is an aggressive and strategic attorney that has a deep understanding of the sex crime laws in Minnesota. If you have been charged with a sex crime or if you are being investigated for a sex crime, call Lushanko Law today at 952-818-6376 for an attorney that will fight for you.
What are Minnesota’s Sex Crimes?
Minnesota criminalizes various sexual acts, including criminal sexual conduct, indecent exposure, solicitation of a minor, prostitution, and possession or distribution of child pornography. Click on each example to the right to learn more about each sex crime.
If you are charged with a sex crime or if you are being investigated for a sex crime, you need an attorney that will aggressively fight for you. Call Lushanko Law today at 952-818-6376 for a free consultation!
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Criminal Sexual Conduct offenses involve non-consensual sexual acts or engaging in sexual conduct with individuals under certain circumstances. There are five degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct, outlined in MN statute 609.342 (1st degree), 609.343 (2nd degree), 609.344 (3rd degree), 609.345 (4th degree), and 609.3451 (5th degree), each vary in punishments depending upon the act and the circumstances surrounding the act. First degree Criminal Sexual Conduct carries the most severe punishments and involves, among other acts, forcing another individual to have sex. Fifth degree criminal sexual conduct is the least severe offense. Someone may be charged with Fifth degree criminal sexual conduct if they engage in nonconsensual sexual contact with another person, for example. Criminal Sexual Conduct also covers situations where a person engages in a sexual act with a minor. For example, a person may be charged with Third degree Criminal Sexual Conduct if they have consensual sex with a person at least 14 years of age but younger than 16 and the accused is more than 24 months older than the complainant.
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Minnesota Statute 617.23 addresses the crime of indecent exposure. The statute is designed to criminalize the following acts in public or in front of others: (1) lewdly exposing your body or private body parts, (2) causing someone to expose their private body parts, and (3) engaging in any other sexually offensive behavior in front of others. Indecent exposure is a misdemeanor offense. However, it may be enhanced to a gross misdemeanor offense if one of these acts are done in front of a person under the age of 16 or if the accused was previously convicted of any degree of Criminal Sexual Conduct. Indecent exposure may also be enhanced to a felony level offense if a person commits one of these acts while confining a person or intentionally restricting their freedom, for example. It is important to note that breastfeeding is not considered indecent exposure.
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Solicitation of a Minor is a felony level offense addressed under Minnesota Statute 609.352. This statute is designed to protect minors from individuals seeking to exploit them for sexual purposes. Specifically, a person may be charged with Solicitation of a Minor if they are 18 years or older and solicit a child or someone they reasonably believe is a child to engage in sexual conduct. Under this statute, a “child” is someone who is 15 years old or younger. The communication or solicitation can occur through various mediums, including electronic communication, phone calls, or in-person contact. A person may also be charged with Solicitation of a Minor if they engage in electronic communication with a minor relating to or describing sexual conduct. The maximum penalty for Solicitation of a Minor includes five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
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In Minnesota, the crime of prostitution is addressed under various statutes, with specific provisions related to the buying or selling of sexual services. One key statute that criminalizes certain aspects of prostitution is Minn. Stat. 609.324. Under this statue, it is gross misdemeanor level offense to engage in prostitution with a person that is 18 years or older. It is also a gross misdemeanor offense to hire, offer to hire, or agrees to hire a person 18 years or older to engage in sexual acts. The solicitation aspect applies to both individuals offering sexual services for hire and those seeking to hire individuals for sexual services. Prostitution may be enhanced to a felony-level offense if the person being solicited for sexual acts is under the age of 18. Penalties will also increase if the person being solicited for sexual acts is under the age of 16 and will further increase if the person is under the age of 14.
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Minnesota Statue 617.247 prohibits the possession or dissemination of sexually explicit material involving people under the age of 18. This encompasses producing, reproducing, or distributing any form of media, including photographs, videos, or digital content. In order to be convicted of this offense, the State must prove that you knew or had reason to know the individual(s) depicted were minors. The State must also prove that you knew or had reason to know that the work depicted sexual conduct. This offense may be defended by showing that the individuals depicted were 18 years or older. Possessing or distributing child pornography is a felony-level offense and could result in penalties up to 15 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine, depending on the circumstances.
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