Enticing a Child Under 16

Knowledgeable Boston Criminal Defense Attorney Committed to Defending Clients Charged with Serious Sex Offenses

Facing a charge of enticing a child under 16 is one of the most serious and damaging allegations you can experience. These cases carry not only harsh criminal penalties but also lifelong consequences for your reputation and freedom. Even before a trial, the accusation alone can lead to public scrutiny, job loss, and social isolation. If you have been charged or are under investigation, you need immediate support from someone who knows how to handle these complex and high-stakes cases. At the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy, we take these charges seriously. As a Boston sex crimes defense lawyer, Attorney Murphy uses his 30+ years of criminal defense experience to protect the rights of those accused.

How Massachusetts Defines Enticement of a Minor

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 26C, it is a crime to entice a child under the age of 16 to enter, exit, or remain in any vehicle, building, or outdoor space with the intent to commit a criminal offense. The key component of the charge is the intent to commit another crime, such as statutory rape, indecent assault and battery, or dissemination of harmful material to a minor.

This statute applies in a variety of scenarios, including:

• Online communication with a minor, even if no meeting ever occurs
• Texts or messages that suggest a meeting for inappropriate purposes
• Attempts to lure a child into a vehicle or building
• Communication with someone believed to be a minor (even if the person was actually an undercover officer)

Importantly, Massachusetts law does not require that the child be physically harmed or that the proposed crime be carried out. The mere act of solicitation with intent is enough to support the charge.

Penalties for Enticing a Child

Because of the nature of the alleged conduct, this charge carries extremely serious consequences. A conviction for enticing a child under 16 may result in:

• A mandatory minimum sentence of 2.5 years in state prison, with up to 5 years possible
• Mandatory sex offender registration
• Probation with strict conditions, including GPS monitoring and limitations on internet use
• Permanent damage to reputation, employment, and housing opportunities

If the offense involved intent to commit a more serious underlying crime, such as rape or kidnapping, the penalties may increase. You could also face additional charges related to the underlying offense.

Why Enticement Charges Require a Strategic Defense

Enticement charges often rely heavily on digital evidence—text messages, chat logs, or online interactions. In some cases, law enforcement may have used a decoy or sting operation, posing as a minor to lure a suspect into unlawful communication. While prosecutors often treat these cases as open-and-shut, there are many legal issues that can be raised, especially around how the evidence was gathered and what the accused actually intended.

These are some of the issues an experienced Boston criminal defense lawyer will explore:

• Was the communication taken out of context?
• Did law enforcement engage in entrapment?
• Was the accused aware of the other person’s age?
• Did the conversation actually rise to the level of criminal solicitation?

Remember, as serious as these crimes are, a conviction is not automatic just because an accusation was made. In many cases, the facts don’t support the serious charge the prosecution is trying to pursue.

Possible Defenses to Enticing a Child

To be sure, learning that you’ve been charged with a child sex crime can feel overwhelming, but there are defenses that can reduce your exposure or result in a not guilty verdict at trial. In some cases, the prosecution can be convinced to drop the charges against you. Some of the defenses include:

Lack of intent. The prosecution must prove that the accused intended to commit an underlying offense. If there was no plan to engage in illegal activity, the charge may not hold.

Entrapment. If law enforcement initiated the contact, encouraged unlawful behavior, or pushed the accused into committing a crime they otherwise would not have attempted, entrapment may be a valid defense.

Unclear or ambiguous messages. If the language used in the communication was vague or open to interpretation, the prosecution may have difficulty proving your had the intent to entice a child beyond a reasonable doubt.

Illegal search or seizure. Officers need probable cause or consent to conduct a search. If law enforcement failed to follow the proper protocol, they may have violated your rights and anything they discovered may not be admissible at trial.

Attorney Patrick J. Murphy carefully examines the details of every interaction, communication log, and law enforcement report. In high-stakes cases like these, it’s not just about what was said—it’s about how it was said, who said it, and why.

Your Side Deserves to Be Heard—Patrick Murphy Is Ready to Listen

When you’re accused of a crime involving a minor, the legal system moves quickly and public opinion moves even faster. But an accusation is not a conviction. You still have rights, and your story matters. At the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy, we treat these cases with the urgency and discretion they require. If you’ve been charged with enticing a child under 16, or believe you are under investigation, don’t wait. Call (617) 367-0450 to speak with Attorney Murphy and get the defense you need to protect your future.