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Charlie Rooney

Charlie Rooney

J.D. from University of St. Thomas, Magna Cum Laude

Former prosecutor for County Attorney’s Office

Clerked for the Chief Judge of Hennepin County

Eric Nelson

Eric Nelson

Attorney of the Year (Minnesota Lawyer 2022)

Named one of the TOP 40 UNDER 40 by the National Trial Lawyers' Association

"Rising Star" from 2004-2013

"Super Lawyer" 2014, 2015 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019

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Debbie Lang

Debbie Lang

Top 100 National Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers' Association

Co-Editor of the Minnesota DWI Deskbook

Super Lawyer (2020-present)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2012, 2014-2017)

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Dave Risk

Dave Risk

Super Lawyer (2014-present)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008-2011)

J.D. William Mitchell College of Law magna cum laude graduate

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Christina Zauhar

Christina Zauhar

Up & Coming Attorney (Minnesota Lawyer 2017)

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2017-present)

Member of Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice (2021-present)

Member of Minnesota Women Lawyers (2012-present)

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Marsh Halberg

Marsh Halberg

Top Six Criminal Defense Attorneys (Mpls/St. Paul Magazine)

Attorney of the Year (Minnesota Lawyer 2011 & 2017)

Super Lawyer (1997-Present)

Co-Editor of the Minnesota DWI Deskbook

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Lucas Dawson

Lucas Dawson

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2017-present)

Human Services Background Study Eligibility Task Force - Remedies Subcommittee Chair 2022

Human Services Background Study Eligibility Task Force Member 2021 - 2022

Requested speaker at Minnesota CLEs

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Zach Graham

Zach Graham

J.D. St. Thomas School of Law, cum laude

Licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Achieved successful outcomes for clients in district court and on appeal

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Electronic Solicitation of a Minor/Electronic Communication of Sexually Explicit Materials

HomePractice AreasElectronic Solicitation or a Minor/Electronic Communication of Sexually Explicit Materials

Electronic solicitation of a minor to engage in sexual conduct and Electronic communication of sexually explicit materials to a child are different charges than possession of child pornography. Although all are felony level crimes in Minnesota, electronic solicitation and communication of sexually explicit materials involves a person, 18 years or older, using the internet to talk about sexual matters with the intent to arouse sexual desire of any person. Solicitation of a child to engage in sexual conduct and distributing materials related to sexual conduct are both criminalized under Minnesota law.The law governing these crimes is set forth in Minnesota Statute 609.352. The internet communications do not have to be with a child but rather the crime includes communications with someone believed to be a child. As such, law enforcement may be on the internet posing as a child to engage in chats and/or the exchange of photographs that involve sexual content in order to gather evidence of criminal activity.

A person convicted of the crime of solicitation of a minor or communication of sexually explicit materials to a child can face prison time, be required to register as a sexual offender, be forced to attend sexual offender treatment, have restricted internet access and have no contact with minors.

Such charges are complicated to defend against and logically begin with an analysis of the alleged internet content and a determination as to whether law enforcement can trace the communications to the alleged offender. The State must prove a specific intent to arouse sexual desire. A person charged under this statute may have a variety of defenses including lack of intent, a reasonable belief that the other person was at least 16 years old or entrapment. If you or someone you know is being investigated for electronic solicitation of a minor or communication of sexually explicit materials to children, we recommend you do not talk to law enforcement until after you have consulted with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

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