45+ Years

Of Combined Experience

Seattle 'Net Nanny' & Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor Defense Lawyers

Over the last several years, the Washington State Patrol has been conducting so-called ‘Net Nanny’ sting operations. Other law enforcement agencies have also joined in, not to mention the federal government.

Undercover officers pose as a minor online and engage in chats with adults. A meeting is set up, allegedly for sex, and when you drive to the meeting location, you are arrested. The consequences of being charged with a crime like this are dire.

We have been fighting these sting operations for over a decade and have proven strategies to defend you.

Common Online Minor Sex Stings & Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor Questions

What is Attempted Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor?

Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor (CSAM), is a felony sex crime. The allegation is that you offered to pay a minor for some sort of sexual act.  In a sting operation such as this, it is actually charged as an attempted crime.  This is for two reasons.  First, there is no actual minor, rather only an undercover cop pretending to be one.  Second, if you were caught up in a sting, then you were arrested before any completed crime could have occurred anyway.  

How can I be charged with attempted Rape of a Child when there was no child at all?

For sting operations such as these, there does not have to be an actual minor to charge you.  However, the State must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you believed the person you were chatting with was indeed a minor.  With the proper representation, this can be a very difficult hurdle for the State to overcome.

How can I be charged with attempting to do anything if I never even got out of my car or otherwise met with a minor?

For criminal attempt, the State must prove that you took a substantial step towards the commission of the crime. For these stings, the State typically argues the substantial step is getting into your car and driving to the pre-arranged meeting location.  However, since the law states that “a substantial step is conduct that strongly indicates a criminal purpose and that is more than mere preparation,” it can be argued that driving to a location and never even getting out of your car does not amount to a strong indication of criminal purpose.

Aren’t these stings entrapment?

Contrary to popular belief, entrapment is a very high legal standard and can be difficult to prove.  When pursuing this defense, the burden of proof shifts to you (instead of on the prosecution, where it typically is) and you must convince a jury that you had no intent whatsoever to commit any crime but the police essentially talked you into it.  Thus, it really depends on the facts of your particular case whether it will be advisable to pursue this defense or not.

What defenses are available for these cases?

The facts of your particular case will dictate what your defense will be.  That said, the main three defenses are:

  • Legal challenges to any possible violation of your constitutional rights
  • Reasonable Doubt – You are presumed innocent and the burden rests solely on the prosecution to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  We are experts at picking apart the prosecutions evidence to find reasonable doubt wherever it may be and point it out to the jury. 
  • Entrapment
What happens if I’m convicted?

Unfortunately, if convicted of one or more of these crimes in Washington State, you could be looking at a lengthy prison as well as registration as a sex offender.  There is often room for plea negotiations, but the offers prosecutors typically give are not what we would consider a good offer.  That is why in many cases, trial may be the best option.

Will I have to register as a sex offender if I’m convicted?

Yes, the length of registration would depend on what you are actually convicted for.

What can you promise me?

You’re not going to find a more qualified team to represent you, and we are going to get you the best possible result given the facts and circumstances of your particular case.

We work really hard and are very accessible to our clients. Try calling or texting us right now; if we don’t pick up right away, we will get back to you very fast.

How much are your services going to cost me?

We charge fair, competitive flat fees for our services. Here’s the problem you face with a lot of other attorneys: The ultra-expensive guys aren’t going to get you a better result than we are, and the dirt cheap guys aren’t going to much of anything for you at all. That’s where we come in. While we certainly don’t have the lowest fees in the Puget Sound, we won’t make you take out a second mortgage either.

I have a court date coming up ASAP, what do I do?!?

First, don’t panic. Second, hire an attorney. Is this answer self-serving? Yes. Despite this, is it still the best possible thing you can do? YES.

I’m currently under investigation for a sexual abuse crime, what should I do?

The answer to this varies depending on your particular situation, but there are three universal pieces of advice:

  1. Do NOT talk to the police
  2. Do NOT talk to anyone else about the situation either as you run the risk of creating witnesses for the government
  3. Consult with an Attorney

From there, we need to hear more about your individual situation to advise your further.  In the meantime, please view our video below on the subject and visit our Under Investigation page.

Seattle Sexual Exploitation Defense Lawyers

Court and Michelle developed a focus within their practice on representing those accused of sex crimes through their involvement with Dateline NBC’s To Catch A Predator show.

Court was the first attorney in the country to take one of these cases to trial. Read about Court’s success with this first case here.

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  • We only handle cases in Washington State. What City/County is your case located in?