Fort Worth Solicitation Lawyer

Recently, the state imposed stricter laws regarding crimes of a sexual nature, including making it a felony to solicit a prostitute. A conviction can have wide-reaching consequences and affect your choices for housing and work.

An experienced criminal defense attorney could protect your rights when you are facing a sex-related criminal case. There is too much at risk for you to handle your case alone. Contact a Fort Worth solicitation lawyer at The Meza Law Firm.

The Basics of the Law

A solicitation charge can apply when an individual knowingly offers to receive or asks another person in a public place to engage in sexual conduct for compensation. This includes offering or consenting to engage in sexual acts for a fee, regardless of whether money changes hands or they engage in the act.

The penalty can be jail time between 180 days and two years and a fine of up to $10,000. A second conviction increases the charge to a third-degree felony, punishable by jail time between two to 10 years and up to a $10,000 fine. If the person is younger than 18 or is represented as being younger than 18, the crime is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Prostitution and solicitation are different crimes. Prostitution involves a person knowingly offering or agreeing to receive a fee from another individual to engage in sexual conduct. Solicitation is when a person knowingly offers or agrees to pay a fee to another individual for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with that individual or another.

Engaging in a sexual act is not required. Law enforcement often employs sting operations because only an agreement needs to exist for this charge.

Sex-related crimes are taken very seriously. Anyone facing accusations of solicitation should consult with a qualified Fort Worth lawyer.

Possible Defenses at Your Disposal

Accusations of solicitation must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a high bar to meet. Charges can be dropped or reduced, or an accused person may get a “not guilty” verdict when they have the right defense. Some potential arguments are:

• Entrapment: Law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. The defendant must prove the police came up with the idea to commit the crime and they would not have done it without police involvement
• Lack of intent: The defendant must show they did not intend to engage
• Mistaken identity: Witnesses or an alibi can prove the defendant was wrongly identified
• Insufficient evidence: The prosecution’s evidence does not meet the burden of proof or the evidence is unreliable
• Violation of constitutional rights: The police may have performed an improper search and seizure or not read the defendant their Miranda rights.
• Lack of specificity: The charges are not detailed or do not meet the legal requirements
• The statute of limitations has expired: If more than three years have passed, the case must be dismissed unless there is a rare exception.

These are only some of many possible defenses. Evidence like texts, emails, or witness statements can help your defense. An experienced Fort Worth lawyer can navigate the complexities of your solicitation case and provide a defense strategy.

Get Legal Help from a Solicitation Attorney in Fort Worth

Due to the recent changes in the law that impose harsher penalties for solicitation of prostitution, you should hire legal help as soon as possible. You are innocent until proven guilty, and Eduardo Meza has the skills and experience to defend your rights. Call today to schedule a consultation.