Montgomery County Solicitation Lawyer

Most people know that it is illegal to perform a sex act in exchange for money or any property of value. However, law enforcement is just as focused on punishing the buyers of sex as it is the sellers. As a result, people looking to solicit a prostitute are just as vulnerable to prosecution as those offering to sell.

People in this situation are likely to be charged under the state’s solicitation laws. These charges are misdemeanors where a conviction could have a profound impact on every part of a person’s life, making it is essential to avoid a conviction if at all possible.

A Montgomery County solicitation lawyer could help. A talented defense attorney could work with you to investigate the reason for your arrest, determine the strength of the prosecutor’s case, and develop a strategy that aims to limit the impact of the arrest on your present and future.

How Does State Law Define Solicitation?

Solicitation of another person for sex is illegal under state law. Specifically, Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 11-306 says that solicitation of another person for the purposes of prostitution is a misdemeanor. Going further, MD Code, Criminal Law, § 11-301 defines the act of solicitation as urging, advising, or otherwise requesting another person to perform an act. As a result, it is illegal to encourage or entice another person to participate in an act of prostitution.

An essential concept in the state’s laws is the idea of intent. A person only violates the law when they knowingly obtain sex in exchange for property or knowingly offer to do so. As a result, it may be feasible to fight back against these charges by stating that a defendant did not realize that a sexual encounter came with the expectation of payment. A Montgomery County attorney could help individuals to better understand the state’s solicitation laws and to develop defenses against accusations of wrongdoing.

Possible Penalties for Soliciting a Prostitute

Solicitation is a criminal offense under state law. This means that a conviction will result in the creation of a criminal record that could impact a person’s job, eligibility for government benefits, and housing. The solicitation statute defines the offense as a misdemeanor. This means that the court may issue a fine of up to $500, require a person to spend up to a year in jail, or both.

It is important to remember that these possible penalties only apply to the core solicitation offense. If the alleged partner in the solicitation is a child under the age of 16, the accusations become a felony. Here, a conviction can result in a prison term of up to 25 years or a fine of up to $5,000. Regardless of the specific solicitation charge a person is facing, a Montgomery County lawyer might be able to help.

Contact a Montgomery County Solicitation Attorney Today

Accusations that allege your solicitation of a prostitute have the potential to change every part of your life. Therefore, it is essential that you take every possible step to avoid a conviction.

Hiring a Montgomery County solicitation lawyer could be the right move. An experienced defense attorney could explain the relevant laws and perform an independent investigation into the incident. They could then formulate a defense that helps to defeat the prosecutor’s case in court. Reach out now to learn more.