As someone facing criminal charges for prostitution, it may seem as if your options are limited. Law enforcement officials are claiming to have your voice on tape and are saying that you could face up to one years in jail for the crime. Such news can be discouraging and push you to give in and accept a plea deal, but it is vital that you fully explore your criminal defense options.
Accepting the services of public defender may appear to be the ideal option, but they are often overwhelmed with cases and unable to provide you with the amount of attention your case deserves. With private legal representation, you get a team of attorneys solely dedicated to the success of your case.
The Lake County prostitution defense lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm are seasoned criminal defense attorneys who’ve successfully represented numerous individuals accused of prostitution or solicitation. With over 100 years of combined legal experience and a team that consists of former state and local prosecutors, we have a unique insight as to how the state will pursue a prostitution conviction. Bring your criminal case to us, and allow us to fight relentlessly for your constitutional rights.
Under Florida Statute § 796.07(1)(a), prostitution is described as “the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses.” Prostitution is one of the more aggressively prosecuted crimes in Florida, but there is another offense commonly linked to prostitution: solicitation.
Solicitation, under Florida Statute § 777.04(2), occurs when a person “solicits another to commit an offense prohibited by law and in the course of such solicitation commands, encourages, hires, or requests another person to engage in specific conduct.”
Each of these crimes has its own set of penalties under state law:
While hefty, these penalties can be avoided with the help of a seasoned criminal defense attorney who can present the most applicable defense to your charges.
Prostitution cases often rely on evidence gathered during a long-term criminal investigation or a prostitution sting. A sting is when an officer goes undercover as an individual seeking the services of a prostitute and records them agreeing on a price and type of service. While they may do this to catch prostitutes, their actions often qualify as entrapment which can result in charges being dismissed.
The entrapment defense rests on the idea that you were coerced by the police to commit a crime that you wouldn’t have done otherwise. You must be able to prove that you were not predisposed to committing the crime, but it was the law enforcement officer’s actions that influenced yours. An example would be if a police officer offered you $10,000 to perform sexual favors. Your defense team can assert that a reasonable person would be inclined to accept such a high amount of money in exchange for sexual favors even if they have never done so before.
Audio recordings are also a significant factor in prostitution cases. The audio on tapes is often muffled, unclear, and generally low-quality. There are even instances where police officers assert that an individual agreed to perform sexual favors in exchange for money when in all actuality, the audio recorded shows no proof of that. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can look into all aspects of your case to help free you of charges.
The Lake County prostitution defense lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm are seasoned criminal defense lawyers with decades of combined experience helping the accused clear their name. Bring your case to us and allow us to go to work for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys