Many people are under the impression that it is not against the law to hire or solicit someone to engage in prostitution. In Florida, the law prohibits solicitation and there are harsh penalties associated with this offense. Someone who is convicted of solicitation could face time in prison and heavy fines. Moreover, a criminal record can impact where you can live or work.
When you were charged with requesting sexual favors for money, contact a Winter Park solicitation lawyer. Our trustworthy criminal defense attorneys have years of experience representing people charged with solicitation and other sex crimes. We could advocate on your behalf and argue for the best possible outcome in your case. When you hire a legal professional to represent you, they could negotiate with prosecutors and represent you at every stage of the criminal process. Do not hesitate to contact our office when you need reliable legal help.
Under Section 796.07 of the Florida Code, it is illegal to pay for the services of a prostitute. It is also prohibited to “solicit, induce, entice, or procure” someone else to engage in prostitution. State law is strict and criminalizes any form of selling sex. Solicitation does not require someone to actually engage in a sexual act; it is illegal just for a person to encourage someone else to engage in prostitution. This means that simply buying or attempting to buy sexual services from someone else violates the state solicitation laws.
For first time offenders, solicitation is a second-degree misdemeanor. Someone who is charged with solicitation could face penalties including:
Additional offense could mean harsher penalties. Someone charged with solicitation for a second or third time could face more serious misdemeanor or even felony charges. It is crucial to seek the advice of a Winter Park solicitation lawyer if you are charged with solicitation.
Florida law distinguishes the solicitation of a minor from adults. Any minor engaged in prostitution is considered a victim of human trafficking, and someone who solicits or purchases sex from a minor could face charges for human trafficking. This is true even when the minor is “voluntarily” engaged in prostitution or falsely claims to be over the age of eighteen. Solicitation of a minor is a felony in Winter Park and penalties could include:
Prosecutors will look at the specific circumstances of a case to determine if someone should be charged with misdemeanor solicitation or felony human trafficking charge. A Winter Park solicitation lawyer could help the defendant prepare a defense strategy, which might include questioning whether law enforcement may have entrapped the defendant, whether the evidence of the crime is clear and compelling, or whether the police violated the person’s rights when they were arrested or questioned.
If you were charged with solicitation or another prostitution-related crime, contact a Winter Park solicitation lawyer to represent you. Our respected defense team will work hard to fight these charges for you.
Contact our office if you have questions about charges you are facing. The Umansky Law Firm can walk you through what to expect during your case and advise you of your rights during criminal proceedings. We understand the impact a criminal conviction will have on your life and we want to help you obtain the best possible result in your case.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
