Preparing a Defense against Solicitation of Prostitution

Being charged with solicitation of prostitution is a serious matter. The allegation alone can be very embarrassing and wreak havoc with your reputation. An actual conviction can incur jail time in addition to very stiff fees. Furthermore, some counties post pictures and personal information to their website of those found guilty. For these reasons, if you are accused of soliciting a prostitute, it is important to diligently defend against the charges.

The Law

Statutes make it a crime to offer money or engage in any aspect of prostitution. These laws not only cover those who offer services but also those who patronize these services. Most charges of solicitation of prostitution arise from police sting operations set up to capture and arrest those suspected of committing an offense of prostitution. In decades past, the police would only arrest prostitutes and their procurers or pimps. However, the gambit of these operations has expanded to also catch suspected johns. The social policy behind this expansion is that without demand, those who supply will be driven "out of business." Being in the wrong place at the wrong time could pull an innocent person into the sting net. If this happens with you, notwithstanding your claims of innocence, the police will process you like any other john.

Penalties

Those charged with solicitation of prostitution can possibly face the following legal consequences:

• Jail
• Fines & Fees
• Probation
• Court-Mandated Counseling
• Possible HIV Testing
• Community Service

As costly as these legal penalties are, the societal costs are even more exacting. Public humiliation and the possible loss of employment can be very taxing. The stigma can follow the convicted for a lifetime.

Defensive Measures

Even before formal charges are filed, anyone facing allegations of solicitation should retain an attorney. A lawyer will be able to begin the process of a pre-trial investigation. During this time the attorney will advise the client not discuss the allegations with anyone or make any formal statements. He or she will also advise the accused not to submit to any polygraph tests without the attorney being present. The attorney will act as an intermediary to assure the court that the accused is not a flight risk. Because follow up to charges can stretch out for weeks and even months, an experienced attorney should know how to expedite the process as quickly as possible.

Find an Attorney

If you are facing charges of solicitation of prostitution, you need to find an experienced attorney immediately. The potential fallout from a mere allegation can prove devastating and lifelong. A seasoned attorney will be able to determine exactly the course to take to either get the charges dropped, or at minimum, reduce the possible jail time and/or fees.