Charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor in Chicago? Andrew M. Weisberg Can Defend Your Rights

In Cook County, prosecutors are cracking down harder than ever on offenses involving alleged online contact with minors. Traveling to meet a minor is treated as a serious felony, and new prosecution policies are making it far more difficult to get charges reduced or dismissed.

If convicted, you could face years in prison, mandatory sex offender registration, and a permanent criminal record that destroys your reputation, career, and future opportunities.

The stakes are too high to face this charge without an experienced defense attorney. Andrew M. Weisberg, a former Cook County prosecutor, knows exactly how the state builds these cases—and how to dismantle them. He will fight to protect your freedom, your record, and your rights.

How Cook County’s New Policies Impact Traveling to Meet a Minor Cases

Traveling to meet a minor charges were already severe, but new policies have made these cases even harder to fight:

• No leniency in plea deals – Prosecutors are pushing for maximum penalties, even for first-time offenders.
• Longer sentences being pursued – More cases are resulting in prison time, with judges rejecting probation.
• Harsher pretrial restrictions – Defendants now face higher bond amounts and tighter electronic monitoring while awaiting trial.
• More aggressive undercover operations – Law enforcement is conducting more stings, leading to entrapment risks and wrongful arrests.

With prosecutors taking a no-tolerance approach, fighting back is essential. Andrew M. Weisberg knows how to challenge these charges aggressively and expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Understanding Traveling to Meet a Minor in Illinois

Under 720 ILCS 5/11-6.6, traveling to meet a minor is a felony charge that arises when an adult communicates with a person under 17 and travels any distance to meet them for sexual activity or illegal conduct.

Even if no sexual contact occurs, the law still treats the charge as a completed felony. Many cases arise from law enforcement sting operations, where officers pose as minors online to lure individuals into an arrest.

Key factors in these cases include:

• Use of electronic communication – Social media, texting, or apps are often used to set up the alleged meeting.
• Intent – The prosecution must prove you planned to engage in illegal activity upon meeting.
• Actual travel – Once the suspect takes steps to meet the minor, even without actual contact, the crime is considered complete.

Because these cases often involve sting operations, many defendants are arrested before ever meeting a real person. This creates significant opportunities to challenge the case—especially if police entrapped you.

Penalties for Traveling to Meet a Minor in Chicago

Because Cook County prosecutors are now treating these cases more aggressively, convictions often result in harsher sentences than before.

• Class 3 Felony – Traveling to meet a minor is typically charged as a Class 3 felony, punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.
• Class 2 Felony – If the case involves explicit intent to engage in sexual conduct, it can be upgraded to a Class 2 felony, carrying 3 to 7 years in prison.
• Mandatory Sex Offender Registration – A conviction requires lifetime sex offender registration, severely restricting where you can live, work, and even travel.
• Restitution & Supervision Costs – Defendants may be ordered to pay restitution to the alleged victim and cover costs of electronic monitoring if sentenced to probation.
• Permanent Criminal Record – A conviction will appear on background checks for life, making employment, housing, and personal relationships extremely difficult.

Defending Against Charges of Traveling to Meet a Minor in Chicago

With Cook County’s aggressive prosecution approach, fighting these charges requires a smart, aggressive defense.

Andrew M. Weisberg will:

✔ Challenge Intent – The state must prove you intended to engage in illegal conduct. If your purpose was misinterpreted, the case may not hold up.

✔ Expose Entrapment – Many cases stem from police stings. If law enforcement induced or pressured you into committing an offense you otherwise wouldn’t have committed, entrapment could be a valid defense.

✔ Challenge the Evidence – Texts, emails, or chat logs are often taken out of context. Andrew will analyze every message to reveal inconsistencies and challenge admissibility.

✔ Fight Unlawful Police Tactics – If law enforcement violated your rights through illegal search and seizure, coercion, or procedural errors, the case may be dismissed.

✔ Seek Reduced Charges or Alternative Sentencing – If dismissal isn’t possible, Andrew will negotiate aggressively for reduced charges or alternatives to prison.

With new policies making these cases harder to fight, having an attorney with inside knowledge of Cook County prosecutions is critical.

Why Choose Andrew M. Weisberg as Your Defense Attorney?

✔ Former Cook County Prosecutor – Knows how the state prosecutes these cases and how to counter their strategies.

✔ Proven Track Record – Successfully defends sex crime cases, including those involving sting operations and entrapment defenses.

✔ Aggressive Defense Approach – Challenges evidence, fights for dismissals, and negotiates reduced penalties when necessary.

✔ Available 24/7 – Legal issues don’t wait. Neither does Andrew.

Take Action Now – Call Andrew M. Weisberg for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been arrested for traveling to meet a minor in Chicago, you cannot afford to wait. Prosecutors are pushing harder than ever for convictions—fight back today.

Call (773) 908-9811 now for a free consultation
Fill out the Case Review form on our website

Your defense starts now—don’t let a charge define your future.