A court overturned the conviction Thursday of a man who was caught in a Westchester Internet child sex sting, raising questions about similar undercover operations.

Former real estate attorney Jeffrey Kozlow was convicted in 2005 for attempting to disseminate indecent materials to a minor and given five years probation. Kozlow was also ordered to register as a sex offender. However, an appeals court ruled that Kozlow?s sex talk with an officer who he thought was a 14-year-old boy was not criminal because he did not send pictures.

In a statement, state attorney general candidate Jeanine Pirro defended the program she started as district attorney. Pirro said the talk was as graphic as any image and she fears the court has set a dangerous precedent that makes children vulnerable to predators. Current District Attorney Janet DiFiore says her office will try to fight the ruling in New York?s highest court.

Meanwhile, officials say many offenders caught in similar operations had pornographic images in their e-mails, so they have no grounds to appeal.