On March 11, 2024, police responded to a report of alleged indecent exposure to children in Lynn Township. After not finding a suspect at the scene, they continued their investigation and ultimately charged 62-year-old Blaine Alan Arner with indecent exposure, open lewdness, and luring a child into a motor vehicle. Notably, police relied on witness testimonies and confirmations to identify Arner after the fact.
Police take sexual crimes that involve children extremely seriously, and you deserve to have your rights respected during investigations and criminal proceedings. If you are facing similar charges, the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help craft a solid defense. Call our team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us through our confidential online form.
How Police Brought Charges in This Case
Police did not respond to the call and immediately apprehended Arner. In fact, before arriving at the Lehigh County Jail, he was already in custody on unrelated matters in a different part of Pennsylvania.
After the incident, police released information to the public based on the statements of the child and others at the scene. The following day, police identified what they believed to be the truck used in the incident parked at Arner's home. However, the police could not get in contact with him at that time.
Later, a separate witness confirmed to investigators that Arner was their suspect, the one who approached the group of children and exposed himself while in his vehicle. Arner was already in custody in Schuylkill County for multiple felony charges relating to theft and illegal firearm possession.
Defenses to Charges of Sexual Crimes in Pennsylvania
This case brings up good questions about the kinds of defenses available to Pennsylvania residents facing sexual criminal charges. A solid defense should raise a reasonable doubt in the jury's mind that the accused committed the crime as alleged.
The most common defenses that may apply to your situation include:
- Lack of Evidence: Pennsylvania law allows for accusations alone to result in convictions for sex crimes, although a conviction with this level of evidence is rare. Experienced attorneys can point out areas where evidence does not point toward the conclusion laid out by the prosecution. In the case of Arner, there is minimal evidence that can prove he definitively exposed himself to those young girls.
- Consent: In this situation, where someone is alleged to have exposed himself to young girls from his vehicle, there is no argument for consent, but your situation may be different. If consent is at the heart of your criminal charges, a valid defense may be to argue that the acts were consensual and legal.
- Innocence: Arner can possibly argue his innocence if he can prove that he could not have been the person alleged to commit the crime. For example, depending on the timeline of events, his other alleged criminal actions and subsequent custody in another county may rule him out as a suspect. For other sex crimes, defending against accusations by claiming innocence can involve DNA tests or proving that accusations are knowingly malicious.
No matter the charges you face, our experienced attorneys can determine what defense gives you the best chance at avoiding a guilty verdict.
Contact Experienced Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you were arrested and charged with sexual crimes in Pennsylvania, legal representation that protects your rights and promotes your interests can make a world of difference in safeguarding your future. Contact the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or through our website to get started on your defense.
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