In addition to imposing criminal sanctions against people who offer sexual services in exchange for money or something else of value, Florida state law also makes it a criminal offense to offer someone else money in exchange for sexual services. Both types of offenses can be punished harshly even if you are a first-time offender. Repeat offenders may even have their charge upgraded to a felony rather than the misdemeanor it is usually classified as.
That said, you still have important rights when facing solicitation accusations, which a seasoned criminal defense attorney could provide guidance on. With a skilled Avalon Park solicitation lawyer on your side, you could have a better shot of successfully defending yourself against the charge and avoiding penalties.
Like many other states, Florida addresses both prostitution and solicitation of a prostitute’s services under the same section of state law. As far as the latter offense goes, Florida Statutes § 796.07(2)(f) prohibits the acts of soliciting, inducing, enticing, or procuring someone to commit prostitution or any related act, and subsection (2)(i) likewise prohibits purchasing the services of someone engaged in prostitution.
Being convicted of solicitation as defined under this statute can result in different criminal consequences depending on the defendant’s criminal history. Someone who has never been convicted of any offense addressed under FL Stat. § 796.07 before would generally have their first solicitation offense categorized as a second-degree misdemeanor. This means that a conviction could carry maximum sanctions of 60 days in county jail and a maximum $500 fine.
However, second-time offenders convicted of purchasing a prostitute’s services and first-time offenders accused of procuring someone to engage in prostitution would face prosecution for a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Third and second offenses—respectively—are considered third-degree felonies punishable by a maximum five-year prison term and a $5,000 fine. Additional sanctions such as community service requirements, education about human trafficking, vehicle impoundment, and probation may also be imposed in certain situations, as an Avalon Park solicitation attorney could further explain.
Whether they are a United States citizen or not, every person in Florida is protected by the U.S. Constitution from illegal “search and seizure” by police officers. That means police officers cannot enter someone’s private property or detain them without first establishing probable cause to believe a crime has occurred. Police officers also cannot induce someone into committing a criminal offense they otherwise would not have committed and then arrest them for it, something often referred to as “entrapment.”
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for police officers to engage in illegal entrapment and other rights violations during “sting” operations meant to catch people soliciting sexual services by tricking them into requesting them from an undercover police officer. If applicable, a solicitation defense lawyer in Avalon Park could provide vital help building a strong defense against any unlawful actions by police involved in a solicitation arrest.
Being accused of soliciting a prostitute can be both personally embarrassing and legally challenging. Fortunately, help is available in both respects from dedicated legal professionals who have years of experience fighting and winning on behalf of people in your exact situation.
Time is of the essence when it comes to fighting back against solicitation charges. Call today to learn how an Avalon Park solicitation lawyer from The Umansky Law Firm could assist you.
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