Luring minors by computer or other electronic means - North Dakota Sexual Assault Laws

Luring minors by computer or other electronic means Crime & Punishment in North Dakota :

The North Dakota code § 12.1-20-05.1 defines three degrees of the crime luring minors by computer or other electronic means, each with associated punishments. The degree of the crime depends on the specifics of the crime committed, with higher degrees of the charge generally receiving harsher punishments.

Severity	Luring minors by computer or other electronic means - Charge Description	Punishment
Class A misdemeanor STATUTORY	An adult is guilty of luring minors by computer or other electronic means when: the adult knows the character and content of a communication, implicitly or explicitly discusses or depicts actual or simulated nudity, sexual acts, sexual contact, sadomasochistic abuse, or other sexual performances and uses any computer communication system or other electronic means to initiate or engage in such communications with a minor; and/or by means of that communication the adult importunes, invites, or induces a minor to engage in sexual acts or to have sexual contact with the adult, or to engage in a sexual performance, obscene sexual performance, or sexual conduct for the adult’s benefit, satisfaction, lust, passions, or sexual desires if the offender is an adult who is less than 22 years of age and reasonably believes that the minor is age 15-17	Up to 1 year in prison and/or a maximum fine of $2,000
Class B felony STATUTORY	An adult is guilty of luring minors by computer or other electronic means when: the adult knows the character and content of a communication, implicitly or explicitly discusses or depicts actual or simulated nudity, sexual acts, sexual contact, sadomasochistic abuse, or other sexual performances and uses any computer communication system or other electronic means to initiate or engage in such communications with a minor; and/or by means of that communication the adult importunes, invites, or induces a minor to engage in sexual acts or to have sexual contact with the adult, or to engage in a sexual performance, obscene sexual performance, or sexual conduct for the adult’s benefit, satisfaction, lust, passions, or sexual desires if the offender is an adult who is 22 years of age or older and reasonably believes that the minor is under the age of 15.	Up to 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000
Class C felony STATUTORY	An adult is guilty of luring minors by computer or other electronic means when: the adult knows the character and content of a communication, implicitly or explicitly discusses or depicts actual or simulated nudity, sexual acts, sexual contact, sadomasochistic abuse, or other sexual performances and uses any computer communication system or other electronic means to initiate or engage in such communications with a minor; and/or by means of that communication the adult importunes, invites, or induces a minor to engage in sexual acts or to have sexual contact with the adult, or to engage in a sexual performance, obscene sexual performance, or sexual conduct for the adult’s benefit, satisfaction, lust, passions, or sexual desires if the offender is an adult who is 22 years of age or older and reasonably believes that the minor is age 15-17. An adult is guilty of luring minors by computer or other electronic means when: the adult knows the character and content of a communication, implicitly or explicitly discusses or depicts actual or simulated nudity, sexual acts, sexual contact, sadomasochistic abuse, or other sexual performances and uses any computer communication system or other electronic means to initiate or engage in such communications with a minor; and/or by means of that communication the adult importunes, invites, or induces a minor to engage in sexual acts or to have sexual contact with the adult, or to engage in a sexual performance, obscene sexual performance, or sexual conduct for the adult’s benefit, satisfaction, lust, passions, or sexual desires if the offender is an adult who is less than 22 years of age and reasonably believes that the minor is under the age of 15.	Up to 5 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $5,000

North Dakota law allows luring minors by computer or other electronic means to be enforced as a statutory charge. This means that this charge can be applied to cases in which the victim is younger than the North Dakota Age of Consent, even if the victim willingly engages in sexual relations with the defendant.

Luring minors by computer or other electronic means is a charge that is unique to North Dakota. Crimes that would be prosecuted as luring minors by computer or other electronic means in North Dakota will be prosecuted under a different statute depending on the state in which the crime takes place.

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