If you or a loved one has been accused of a sex crime or of child abuse, you know how important it is to find quality, aggressive legal representation. Unfortunately, being charged in Rhode Island with a crime like enticement of a child often times has immediate and lasting effects on your job, your loved ones, and your reputation, even if you are completely innocent. Without the support of a knowledgeable, empathetic attorney, defending against such a charge can be overwhelming and down-right frightening. In Rhode Island, any person that persuades, or attempts to persuade, a minor under the age of 16 to leave home or school, enter a vehicle or building, or enter a concealed area, with the intent to commit any other felony is guilty of enticement of a child. This crime is an extremely serious criminal offense subjecting the charged individual to up to five years in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
§ 11-26-1.5 Enticement of children
(a) A person shall be guilty of a felony if that person attempts to persuade, or persuades a minor child under the age of sixteen (16) years, whether by words or actions or both, with intent to engage in felonious conduct against that child to either:
(1) Leave the child's home or school;
(2) Enter a vehicle or building; or
(3) Enter an area, with the intent that the child shall be concealed from public view; while the person is acting without the authority of: (i) the custodial parent of the child, (ii) the state of Rhode Island or a political subdivision of the state, or (iii) one having legal custody of the minor child. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent the lawful detention of a minor child or the rendering of aid or assistance to a minor child.
(b) Every person convicted of a violation of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both fine and imprisonment.
(c) Every person convicted of, or placed on probation for a violation of this section, may be ordered to attend appropriate professional counseling to address his or her behavior.
