Los Angeles Solicitation Lawyer

Fighting for Your Rights in a Solicitation of Prostitution Case

Covert "stings" are often carried out by law enforcement agencies in order to catch individuals in the act of sex solicitation. Unfortunately, such operations are famous for trapping innocent people who have no criminal history and simply got mixed up in an unfortunate situation. At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners we are committed to safeguarding your rights if you have been arrested for solicitation.

We know that hiring the right criminal defense attorney is extremely important at a time when your whole life is hanging in the balance and you need to achieve the best possible outcome to your case. We invite you to contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to schedule your free consultation and learn how our firm, with a proven record of success in sex offense defense, may be able to help you get your life back.

Solicitation and prostitution are closely linked sex crimes. In fact, both solicitation and prostitution fall under the same California law- Penal Code section 647(b). Under California Penal Code Section 647(b), it is illegal to solicit, agree to engage in, or engage in any act of prostitution. Prostitution is defined as sexual intercourse or any lewd act between persons in exchange for money or compensation (money equivalent or other things of value). The legal definition of "lewd act" is the touching of the genitals, buttocks, or female breast of either the prostitute or the customer for sexual arousal or gratification of either person.

Solicitation of prostitution is described as asking, urging, inducing or encouraging another person to engage in an act of prostitution. The person soliciting must have a specific intent to engage in an act of prostitution. The intent is usually demonstrated by an offer to pay money. As a simple example, if a man approaches a woman in a bar and tells her he will pay her $150 if she will have sex with him, he is guilty of soliciting prostitution even if the deal does not go through.

Solicitation to engage in prostitution is a similar crime to soliciting of prostitution except there is an additional element of the crime that must be proved in the solicitation to engage in prostitution. The additional element required is that in addition to the agreement, there must be some act by the person soliciting sex (customer) that is in furtherance of the act of prostitution.

Examples of these acts include but are not limited to: the person parks his car and goes to the motel room where the sex will occur; the person hands over the money as requested by the other person; and/ or the person goes to a nearby bank and withdraws money to pay for the sex.

Solicitation is charged as a misdemeanor offense under California law. As such, the penalties can include up to 6 months in county jail, a maximum fine of $1,000, probation, and counseling, AIDS testing, community service, physical labor, driver's license suspension and vehicle impoundment. The penalties will be more severe if a minor is involved or if the defendant is a repeat offender.

Solicitation of Prostitution Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested and charged with solicitation, we can fight the charges based on a number of criminal defenses including lack of evidence, entrapment or mistake. If you are convicted, you face a misdemeanor conviction, a permanent criminal record, and a damaged reputation. Your first action should be to contact a skilled criminal defense attorney at our firm to build a compelling defense on your behalf.

With 70 years of combined legal experience, our lawyers have represented countless people in situations similar to yours and have successfully helped them avoid most if not all of the consequences of a solicitation charge. If we cannot get the charges against you dismissed altogether and a satisfactory plea agreement cannot be reached, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial to obtain a "Not Guilty" verdict on your behalf.

For your best chance at a successful outcome in your case, contact Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.