In online solicitation of a minor, the basic offense targets individuals younger than how many years old?

• A. Younger than 17 years old
• B. Younger than 14 years old
• C. Younger than 18 years old
• D. Younger than 12 years old

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is the age threshold that defines who can be the target of the basic online solicitation of a minor offense. In this item, the statute sets the cut-off at younger than 17 years old. So the basic offense applies when the person solicited is believed to be under 17. A 17-year-old is not within the basic offense’s target, and would fall outside unless a different, more serious provision applies. The other age options would misstate this threshold, either including someone older than the intended minor or narrowing the target further than the statute specifies.