Boston Coercion & Enticement Defense Attorney

Sex crimes, including charges related to coercion and enticement, are among the most serious criminal offenses under both state and federal law. If you or a loved one is facing charges related to coercion and enticement, a Boston coercion and enticement attorney can offer the legal guidance and defense strategies needed to protect your rights.

Facing serious charges? Schedule a free legal consultation with a trusted Boston sex crimes defense attorney today. Call us at (617) 500-0252 or contact us online to get started on building your defense.

What is Coercion and Enticement in Boston?

Coercion and enticement are a serious sex crime in the state of Massachusetts as well. According to Massachusetts law, Section 26D, the term “entice” is defined as to “lure, induce, persuade, tempt, incite, solicit, coax or invite.” 

Coercion typically refers to the act of forcing someone to engage in sexual conduct against their will through threats, intimidation, or physical force. Enticement, on the other hand, involves persuading, luring, or attempting to lure someone into participating in sexual activity. This may include promises of money, gifts, or other benefits, and may or may not involve physical threats.

Anyone who knowingly entices a child under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution, human trafficking, or commercial sexual activity, or attempts to do so, will be charged by state law.

Coercion and Enticement According to Federal Law

Coercion and enticement are considered an extremely serious crime in the eyes of the federal government. The US government defines coercion and enticement as:

“Whoever knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual to travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, to engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both” (18 US Code and 2422, Section A).

The US Code, Section B states:

“Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 10 years or for life.”

Penalties for Coercion and Enticement Charges

The penalties for coercion and enticement convictions vary depending on whether the crime was committed at the state or federal level, as well as the specifics of the case.

Federal Penalties

Under federal law, the penalties for coercion and enticement can be severe, particularly when the victim is a minor. Some key federal penalties include:

• Imprisonment: Convictions can result in up to 20 years in federal prison, with longer sentences if the victim is a minor or if the crime involved aggravating factors (such as prior convictions or the use of force).
• Sex Offender Registration: A conviction will almost always require the defendant to register as a sex offender, which can have lifelong consequences for employment, housing, and social relationships.
• Fines: A court may impose significant fines on the defendant in addition to prison time.

State Penalties

In Massachusetts, the penalties for coercion and enticement can vary depending on the circumstances, but they are still significant:

• Imprisonment: Depending on the severity of the offense and the circumstances, a conviction can lead to up to 10-20 years in prison for coercion and enticement charges.
• Sex Offender Registration: Like federal law, individuals convicted of coercion and enticement offenses are often required to register as sex offenders, which can affect their personal, social, and professional life for the rest of their lives.
• Probation: In some cases, the court may impose probation instead of jail time, but this depends on the case's specific circumstances, such as whether the offense involved a minor or if there was a history of similar offenses.

Penalties for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

If a person is convicted of coercing and enticing a minor for sexual activity, the individual must register as a sex offender. This is damaging to the reputation of the accused and could greatly hinder the person’s chances of maintaining employment and overall quality of life. Therefore, to be convicted as a sex offender in Massachusetts has detrimental consequences.

The law also includes coercion and enticement by electronic means. With the advent of the Internet and its mainstream use, coercion and enticement has extended to the World Wide Web as well.

This would include:

“Any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo-electronic or photo-optical system.”

Common Defenses Against Coercion and Enticement Charges

If you've been charged, a Boston coercion and enticement defense attorney can help you navigate the complexities of your case and mount a strong defense to protect your future. 

There are several powerful defenses that we can use to challenge the allegations against you. A lack of criminal intent is often a key defense—your attorney can argue that there was no intention to coerce or entice the alleged victim, especially in cases where communication was misinterpreted or taken out of context. In situations where the alleged victim was an adult, the defense may also assert that the encounter was consensual and therefore not coercive or enticing. 

Additionally, if the accusations are based on false claims—whether due to personal animosity, misunderstandings, or fabricated stories—your lawyer will work to expose the lack of credibility of the accuser. Many coercion and enticement cases also rely on circumstantial evidence, such as text messages or online communication, and a skilled attorney can challenge the sufficiency and reliability of this evidence to argue that it doesn’t support the charges. 

With the right legal strategy, a Boston coercion and enticement lawyer can help you fight these serious charges and pursue the best possible outcome.

The Importance of Legal Representation

Should you find yourself facing either a federal or state coercion and enticement charge, it is imperative to find a Boston criminal defense lawyer who employs creative strategy and has years of experience with these types of cases.

While looking for a lawyer, one should ask her/himself these questions:

1. What is the lawyer’s jury experience and trial exposure in regard to this charge?
2. How many cases has the lawyer handled in this particular area of the law?

Brad Bailey is a Boston coercion and enticement lawyer who can answer both of these questions. He is a multi-year Massachusetts Super Lawyer, and he began his career as a federal prosecutor in Boston, where he never lost a case. He is a veteran of nearly 100 state and federal jury trials. Brad most notably defended the enticing minor child/interstate facility case of United States v. Stoloff, as well as the enticing minor cases of Commonwealth v. Quach, Commonwealth v. Simoncini, and Commonwealth v. Rubin.

He understands that a coercion and enticement charge can destroy your reputation and your chances of future employment and quality of life. Brad knows this is a stressful time for you, and therefore, he will treat you with compassion, sympathy, and dignity. He fights with advocacy and committed representation for his clients, and he also pledges to secure the best possible outcome for you.

Contact Brad Bailey Law for dependable legal advocacy from a Boston coercion & enticement lawyer! Call now - (617) 500-0252