Minneapolis Solicitation of a Minor Lawyer

Put a Proven Defense Team in Your Corner

Being accused of soliciting a minor in Minnesota is one of the most serious allegations a person can face. These charges are not only emotionally and socially devastating but also carry the potential for long prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and a permanent criminal record.

If you’ve been arrested, charged, or even contacted by law enforcement regarding alleged online solicitation or any form of communication with a minor, you need to speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney — immediately.

Charges for soliciting a minor put serious penalties and prison time on the table. At Tamburino Law Group, our sex crimes defense team is standing by to fight for your future. Call (612) 444-5020 or contact us online for a FREE and confidential consultation.

What Is Solicitation of a Minor in Minnesota?

Solicitation of a minor refers to any attempt to persuade, entice, or request a person under 18 to engage in sexual activity, sexual performance, or prostitution. This can occur in-person or online, and even if no physical meeting ever happens, the attempt itself may still be charged as a crime.

In Minnesota, these offenses are typically prosecuted under state law — but federal charges are also possible in cases involving interstate communication, certain internet platforms, evidence of trafficking, or multiple alleged victims.

Minnesota state charges may include:

• Minn. Stat. § 609.352 – Solicitation of Children to Engage in Sexual Conduct. Prohibits using words or actions to solicit a child to engage in sexual conduct, or to distribute material related to sex.
• Minn. Stat. § 609.322 – Solicitation, Inducement, and Promotion of Prostitution. Applies when someone offers or agrees to pay for sexual services from someone they believe is a minor.
• Minn. Stat. § 609.3451 – Criminal Sexual Conduct (Various Degrees). Solicitation charges may be accompanied by or upgraded to criminal sexual conduct if physical contact occurs.

Federal Charges for Solicitation of a Minor

Federal authorities may bring charges under U.S. law when the alleged conduct involves interstate communications, the use of the internet, or efforts to transport a minor for illegal sexual activity. Relevant statutes include:

• 18 U.S. Code § 2422(b) – Coercion and Enticement. Prohibits using any means of interstate commerce (e.g., internet, phone) to persuade or entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.
• 18 U.S. Code § 2251 – Sexual Exploitation of Children. Includes the production or attempted production of child pornography, often charged alongside solicitation.
• 18 U.S. Code § 1591 – Sex Trafficking of Children. In severe cases involving force, fraud, or coercion, federal sex trafficking laws may apply.

Additionally, if there is an exchange of sexually explicit images or material during the alleged solicitation, federal prosecutors may file charges under 18 U.S. Code § 2252 – Certain Activities Relating to Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors. This statute criminalizes the possession, receipt, distribution, or attempted production of child pornography. If charged with production or attempted production, the offense carries a 15-year mandatory minimum prison sentence, making the stakes even higher.

Because of the serious and often overlapping nature of these federal crimes, it’s critical to have a defense attorney who understands both the technical aspects of internet-based evidence and the nuances of federal sentencing guidelines.

Key Elements Prosecutors Must Prove

To secure a conviction, the prosecution typically must show that:

• The defendant intentionally solicited, enticed, persuaded, or attempted to persuade a minor (or someone believed to be a minor),
• The intent was to engage in sexual conduct or contact, and
• The defendant knew or had reason to know the person was a minor.

Importantly, it is not a defense that the person solicited was actually an undercover officer or adult pretending to be a child. What matters is what the accused believed at the time.

Penalties for Soliciting a Minor in Minnesota

Both Minnesota and federal law impose harsh penalties for solicitation-related offenses.

State-Level Penalties (Minnesota):

• Felony conviction on your permanent record
• Up to 20 years in prison (depending on circumstances and accompanying charges)
• Fines up to $40,000
• Mandatory sex offender registration
• Loss of child custody or visitation rights
• Long-term supervised release and parole conditions

Federal Penalties:

• Mandatory minimums starting at 10 years, with possible life sentences
• Federal prison time, often far from home or family
• Lifetime sex offender registration
• Severe social and professional consequences
• Asset forfeiture and restitution

Because solicitation cases can easily escalate to federal prosecution — especially when technology, travel, or multistate communication is involved — it’s vital to have a defense team experienced in both state and federal courts.

Under Investigation? Why You Must Act Fast.

You don’t need to be formally charged for your life to begin unraveling. If law enforcement is investigating you — even if you believe it’s all a misunderstanding — anything you say can and will be used against you.

Minnesota law enforcement agencies often use undercover sting operations to catch individuals suspected of attempting to solicit minors. These operations are aggressive and are designed to provoke responses that could be used to justify an arrest. Even a single message can be misinterpreted as a criminal act.

Do not attempt to explain yourself or "clear the air" with investigators. Call Tamburino Law Group if you’re the target of a sex crime investigation.

Legal Defenses to Solicitation of a Minor Charges

Each case is unique, and the best defense depends on the facts. Our Minneapolis criminal defense attorneys conduct a meticulous review of the evidence and law enforcement conduct to build a strong, strategic defense.

Common defenses may include:

• Entrapment – If law enforcement induced the act through coercion or manipulation that would not have otherwise occurred.
• Lack of Criminal Intent – You did not intend to engage in or promote illegal sexual conduct.
• Mistaken Identity – Someone else may have used your device or online identity.
• Violation of Constitutional Rights – Illegal search and seizure, failure to read Miranda rights, or other due process violations.

How Tamburino Law Group Can Help

At Tamburino Law Group, our team includes former prosecutors who know how the state builds its case — and how to dismantle it. We’ve handled some of the most high-profile criminal cases in Minnesota, and we understand the stakes.

When your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, you need a defense team that’s relentless, respected, and proven in court.

Why choose us?

• Over 75 Years of Combined Criminal Law Experience
• Led by a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist
• Hundreds of Felony Cases Handled
• Former Prosecutors Who Know the System
• Trusted by Clients, Judges, and the Media
• Available 24/7 for Emergency Legal Help

Whether you’re already charged or suspect you’re being investigated, you need to protect yourself immediately. We’re here to listen — not to judge — and to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

What Should You Do Next?

If you believe you’re under investigation or have been contacted by law enforcement:

• Do NOT engage in further communication.
• Do NOT delete or alter any evidence (including texts or emails).
• Contact Tamburino Law Group immediately for a confidential consultation.

Call Today for a FREE Consultation: (612) 444-5020

A solicitation charge can upend your life in an instant. Whether you’re the subject of a sting operation or were caught in a misunderstanding, you deserve a fair defense and an advocate who will stand by you when it matters most.

At Tamburino Law Group, we don’t back down from tough cases. Call (612) 444-5020 or contact us online for a FREE and confidential consultation.