Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
Well, it looks like Massachusetts sex crimes are still present here in the Commonwealth. Well, actually, the news would lead you to believe that Massachusetts sex offenders are still “at it” both here and abroad.
For example, take the case of 25-year-old Quincy woman Carissa Hads. Ms. Hads is in allot of trouble in Clarksburg, West Virginia. More specifically, she has pleaded guilty to one charge in federal court which leaves her facing up to 30 years in prison as well as a hefty fine.
Her crime?
Well, she apparently posed as a teenage boy in order to prey on a West Virginia girl. She has now pleaded guilty to a single count of traveling across state lines with the intention of having sex with a minor.
According to law enforcement, the “romance” began on MySpace as Ms. Hads pretended that she was an age-appropriate male in 2010. Since that time, investigators say that she visited the teen girl at least three times and had a sexual encounter with her in February.
She is said to have disguised her appearance with a back brace.
Somehow.
She is currently an involuntary guest of the United States government.
This is not to say that alleged sex offenders from Massachusetts never follow their “instincts” right here in the Commonwealth.
Closer to home, in the Boston area, the Suffolk County District Attorney has announced that a sex sting has nabbed about a “half dozen men from the Greater Boston area” who are accused of trolling for sex from girls under the age of 18.
Boston police arrested the six men yesterday in an undercover online investigation into illegal online prostitution by the Family Justice Unit, the Human Trafficking Division, the Youth Violence Strike Force and District A-1 detectives. The suspects were all charged with enticement of a person under 18 years old, Boston police said.
Attorney Sam’s Take On Internet Sex Crimes
Usually, when we consider sex crimes and computers together, we are talking about the possession and/or dissemination of child pornography. However, the internet provides a dandy location for folks to contact kids and set the stage for personal contact.
Such cyber-crime has become a focus of law enfrocement.
This is but one reason why such contact, even over the internet, in itself can be illegal. State laws differ on this, but there is one United States government. That is what runs the federal system and it takes a rather harsh view of attempts which can lead to the harm of a child.
In some ways, the use of computers can actually aid the police as well as innocent potential suspects because a computer keeps a record of what has been done on it. However, as with most situations involving human beings, some variables can come into play which can make an innocent person seem guilty.
This is one reason why there are expert witnesses who are often used in cases involving computer use. You see, often, data which is sought by law enforcement has been erased. Well, erased at least as far as most of us are concerned. However, this material can be recovered by the government and its experts. Experts, however, like other witnesses, can be wrong.
Usually, investigative agencies have departments in their office which specialize in these types of investigations and prosecutions. They aid in not only bringing the charges to court, but in seeing them through in the face of us pesky criminal defense attorneys who would seek to question their evidence.
If you or a loved one are one of those people at whom the finger of accusation is pointed, don’t you think it makes sense to have some experience on your side as well? Attorneys who have handled such cases can explain the issues to, lead you to the right expert and even give you a better idea as to the chances of a conviction. One word about that, though. Do not seek a guarantee as to result. As I have often told you, if you find a trial lawyer guaranteeing you a particular result…run in the opposite direction. They are either inexperienced or a liar.
But I digress.
The bottom line is that someone experienced with defending this type of crime is best suited to advise, represent and fight for you.
Given how serious such cases are…isn’t it worth the extra effort and money?
You decide.
For the original stories upon which this blog is based, please go to http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061166704&srvc=rss and http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061166662&srvc=rss
