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In Nevada, behaviors that have been criminalized because they are against public decency and good morals are included in Chapter 201 of Title 15. Within this Chapter of Nevada’s penal code, different categories of crimes against public decency and good morals have been divided into different subsections. One of those subsections relates to the offense of luring children or luring people with mental illnesses.
LV Criminal Defense can provide help if you have been accused of a crime related to luring children or individuals who are suffering from a mental illness. This offense is a serious one, and we will assist you in taking steps to understand what a prosecutor must prove to convict you and what your options are for fighting charges.
Our Vegas defense attorneys have the necessary experience and knowledge of crimes made illegal under Chapter 201 to help you to identify the best legal strategy and to implement that strategy with the goal of fighting for the most favorable outcome possible.
You should get legal help as soon as you are under investigation or as soon as you have been accused of wrongdoing in connection with luring children or mentally ill individuals. Give us a call today to get an advocate on your side to help you fight for your future.
The subsection of Chapter 201 that deals with the offense of luring children or persons with mental illness includes Nevada Revised Statutes section 201.560. According to the relevant law, a defendant can be convicted of luring a child if the defendant:
NRS 201.560(1)(a) applies when someone knowingly contacts or tries to contact a child under 16 who is at least five years younger, intending to get the child to leave home or another location known to the responsible adult. The contact must occur without that adult’s express consent and with the intent to bypass it.
Nick Wooldridge has a long track record of representing clients accused of serious federal and state crimes in Nevada.
NRS 201.560(1)(b) applies when someone knowingly contacts or tries to contact a person they believe is under 16 and at least five years younger, intending to solicit sexual conduct. This provision can apply even if the other person is an adult, such as an undercover officer.
A defendant can also be convicted of the crime defined in N.R.S. 201.560 if the defendant lures a person with a mental illness. The prosecutor would have to prove that the defendant knowingly contacted or communicated with a person who was mentally ill with the intent to persuade, lure, or transport the mentally ill person away from that person’s home or away from a location that is known to the person who is legally responsible for the mentally ill individual.
For a defendant to be convicted of luring a person with mental illness, the statute requires knowing contact or communication with intent to get the person to leave. The requirements are that the contact occur without express consent and with intent to bypass it, and that the purpose be one a reasonable person would recognize as endangering the person’s health, safety, or welfare.
NRS 201.560 does not apply when someone makes or attempts contact intending to prevent imminent bodily, emotional, or psychological harm to a child, a person believed to be a child, or a person with mental illness.
The penalties for the offense vary depending on the specific actions taken. For example, a person who uses a computer, system, or network to lure a child with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with the child or a mentally ill person is guilty of a Category B felony. The potential punishment could include imprisonment of not less than a year and a maximum term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, along with a fine of $10,000.
When I initially met with Mr. Wooldridge, he took the opportunity to sit and go over my problem with me. He described details in my case which he found disturbing and explained why he I should have him on my side.
If the person uses a computer system or network to provide the child or mentally ill person with material harmful to minors or to request the child or mentally ill person provide material harmful to minors, the defendant could be charged with a Category C felony.
In other situations where a computer system or network is used to lure a child or mentally ill person, the defendant could be charged with a gross misdemeanor.
| Circumstances | Using a computer, system, or network | Other methods |
|---|---|---|
| Intent to engage in sexual conduct with the person or cause them to engage in it | Category B felony. 1–10 years in state prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000. | Category B felony. 2–15 years in state prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000. |
| Providing or requesting material harmful to minors as part of the violation or attempt | Category C felony. 1–5 years in state prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000. | Category B felony. 1–6 years in state prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000. |
| Other violations or attempts under NRS 201.560 | Gross misdemeanor. | Gross misdemeanor. |
If you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges in connection with luring children or persons with mental illness, call LV Criminal Defense for help today. Our Vegas defense attorneys will fight for your future as you face serious charges.
Crimes Against Public Decency