Example:
Solicitation of a person believed to be a child:
Here is a common computer crime scenario: You’re on your computer and you enter into a “chat room.” You start to talk with some unknown person and the discussion becomes sexual in nature. It comes up during the conversation that the person you are speaking with is underage. Undeterred, you press on with the conversation. Unbeknownst to you, the person you are speaking with is actually a detective. The detective is monitoring every word you type while playing along with the on-line conversation.
The relevant New Hampshire statute, entitled Certain Uses of Computer Services Prohibited, states that no person shall knowingly utilize a computer on-line service or internet service to seduce, lure, or entice a child (a person under 16) or another person believed by the person to be a child to commit a sexual offense, indecent exposure or endangering the welfare of the child.
Penalty:
If you believe that the person you are speaking with is under 13 years old, you are guilty of a Class A Felony with a special enhanced penalty of up to 10-20 years in the New Hampshire State Prison. Otherwise, you would be guilty of a Class B felony. You will be required to register as a sexual offender.
Call! The stakes are high if you are facing a computer crime. You’re facing a prison sentence, fines, and a requirement that you register as a sexual offender. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you immediately.