How Law Enforcement Takes Advantage Of Escalation Of Commitment

Arizona police agencies participating in the HEAT Unit, including Phoenix Police Department, Chandler, Scottsdale, Mesa, Avondale, Glendale sex offense units and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, have adapted to utilize this psychological vulnerability in their internet sting operations.

Tactics Used During Sting Operations:

• Profile Deception: Police create sexually appealing profiles to go up to others
• Emotional Investment: Rapport and sexual tension built up before disclosing the age
• Pressure Testing: Exposing minor status to ascertain whether defendant continues and escalating stakes by reducing the alleged minor’s age subsequent to defendant’s action
• Evidence Collection: Video recording of all pre- and post-age disclosure interaction
• Arrest Timing: Often arrested at pre-arranged meeting places. While the Defendant may occasionally change his or her mind and retreat before reaching the meeting place, the HEAT Unit will usually effect the arrest by air surveillance.

This practice is deliberately crafted to take advantage of escalation of commitment, typically arresting someone who was not looking for a minor and prosecuting him on a felony luring charge

The Defense Strategy: Knowledge Of Psychology vs. Motivation

At VS Criminal Defense Lawyers, our experience in dealing with Arizona sex offense cases has highlighted the importance of the escalation of commitment principle in developing an effective defense.

Important Defense Factors to Consider:

• Initial Intent Analysis: Was the accused seeking minors, or did they fall into a psychological trap?
• Timeline Evidence: How rapidly did conversations turn sexual after age was revealed?
• Context Examination: What was the function played by scarcity and emotional investment?
• Mental State Assessment: How do we demonstrate lack of predatory intent?

Potential Defense Strategies:

• Entrapment Arguments: When police tactics erode constitutional limits
• Issues of Intent: Proving lack of specific intent to commit child-oriented crimes
• Constitutional Abuses: Fourth Amendment infringements in evidence gathering
• Plea Bargains: Utilizing psychological factors for reduced charges

Why Escalation Of Commitment Matters In Your Arizona Sex Sting Case

If you are accused of a felony crime of online solicitation of a minor, the difference between acquittal and conviction often comes down to the details of how the conversation transpired.

Issues We Explore:

• Who initiated sexual discussion?
• How was your age disclosed to the minor?
• What was your response when you learned they were a minor?
• Can we demonstrate you weren’t soliciting minors?

The Stakes: Why You Need Experienced Defense

Arizona felony sex offense convictions have catastrophic consequences:

• Jail Time: 5-20+ years with the possibility of life imprisonment (only at trial) for first-time offenders
• Sex Offender Registry: Life-long public postings on the registry
• Professional Consequences: Professional licenses are revoked
• Personal Penalties: Destroyed relationships and reputation

What To Do Right Away If You Are The Subject Of An Investigation

If Police Come To Your Door:

1. Assert Your Right to Remain Silent immediately
2. Ask For an Attorney before you answer any questions
3. Do Not Consent to searches of devices or property
4. Document initial contact
5. Call VS Criminal Defense for emergency consultation

If You Have Already Been Charged:

• Stop All Online Activity that could be misunderstood
• Avoid Talking with Anyone About Your Case Except your lawyer
• Begin Developing Your Defense with experienced Arizona sex crime lawyers

Why Use VS Criminal Defense For Felony Sex Crimes

Our law firm exclusively defends severe felony sex crime charges and accusations including:

• Solicitation of a Minor
• Sexual Conduct with a Minor
• Child Sex Trafficking
• Internet Crimes Against Children

Successful Defense of Sex Crime Cases

• Defended successfully hundreds of felony sex crime cases
• Obtained dismissals in numerous sting operation cases
• Successfully negotiated many favorable plea agreements

FAQs: Luring a Minor and Online Sting Operations in Arizona

Can I be prosecuted for Arizona luring of a minor if the person was actually an undercover officer?
Yes. Even if the person was actually an undercover officer masquerading as a minor, prosecutors can prosecute you as a felony. Under A.R.S. § 13-3554, it is a crime to send messages you believe are to an under-18 for sex.

Do I have to actually meet with a minor to be charged with luring?
No. In Arizona, one may be charged with the crime of luring a minor for sex exploitation merely through the use of online chat. Agreeing to a meeting or talking about explicit sex following age disclosure may be enough to warrant charges.

What tactics are used by police in Arizona online stings?
Police officers also commonly have fake profiles on dating websites and online chatrooms. They may start by posing as adults, building a rapport, and then reveal a minor’s age to see if the person is still interested in chatting. All that has been said is recorded and used as evidence.

Is there a defense if I ended the conversation once I found out someone was underage?
Yes. If you immediately severed contact once the age was disclosed, this information can be critical in your situation. Our attorneys use communication timelines to illustrate whether a client showed intent—or whether they terminated the conversation as soon as they realized the risk.

What are the penalties for soliciting a minor in Arizona?
Child luring is a serious felony offense. Depending on the case, punishment can include prison, lifetime sex offender registry, probationary restrictions, and suffering career and reputation damage.

What can an attorney do in a case of luring or a sting?
An experienced Arizona sex crimes defense attorney can tear holes in police tactics, invoke entrapment defenses when appropriate, and provide mitigations such as psychosexual evaluations to prove you are not a menace to society.

Act Now: Schedule a Confidential Consultation

If you are under investigation or charged with a felony sex crime, time matters. Evidence is lost, witnesses become unavailable, and prosecution plans solidify.

Contact us at VS Criminal Defense Attorneys today for a confidential consultation. Our attorneys will sit down with you, discuss your choices, and get started on constructing a defense strategy specifically for your case.

Call (480) 923-9001 or book your consultation to safeguard your future.