Solicitation is a serious offense in Mountain Brook, and even being charged with it can carry consequences with long-lasting impacts on a person’s life. A conviction on solicitation charges may preclude housing and employment opportunities in some cases, as well as one’s standing in their community.
Your response to any criminal charge should be measured and thorough, and that goes double for solicitation charges. If you are facing a solicitation charge, a skilled attorney could ensure your rights are protected. Speak with a Mountain Brook solicitation lawyer who may be able to offer you the legal representation you deserve.
Defining SolicitationAlabama Code § 13A-12-121 states that no person should solicit, compel, or coerce any person to have sexual intercourse or participate in any natural or unnatural sexual act, deviate sexual intercourse, or sexual contact for monetary consideration or another thing of marketable value. Offering someone a fee or something else of value in exchange for sexual acts or conduct constitutes a solicitation in Mountain Brook and throughout Alabama.
By the letter of the law, neither party has to actually engage in a sexual act to be charged with solicitation. Advertising online for a discreet meetup or negotiating with another person for sexual services without paying or settling on a price may still result in a solicitation charge. The proposed or actual value of the exchange does not affect its classification as solicitation. Contact a Mountain Brook solicitation lawyer for more information on this offense.
Solicitation in Criminal CourtTo establish solicitation, Mountain Brook prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused party intended to engage in prostitution or requested that another person engages in prostitution and that the other party understood they would exchange sexual conduct or acts for something of value.
Soliciting prostitution is a Class A Misdemeanor, the most severe class of misdemeanor offense. It is punishable by fines up to $6,000 and incarceration of up to one year. A conviction would also remain on the individual’s criminal record, which may be accessible online to the public and is generally reviewed by any prospective employer. Depending on the individual’s industry, it could also be viewed by an existing employer.
Options for Defending Against Solicitation ChargesOnce an individual is charged with solicitation, their goals for the outcome of their case may change rapidly. A skilled attorney could be an asset throughout the duration of a criminal case, helping to ensure that each new goal is measured and evaluated for the possibility of success.
One of the options in a solicitation case an accused party may consider is accepting a plea deal for a reduced charge. Under such circumstances, an experienced solicitation lawyer in Mountain Brook may be able to get the pending charges reduced to a charge that is not associated with solicitation.
In addition to or instead of negotiating plea agreements, a Mountain Brook solicitation lawyer could establish defenses against charges of solicitation. A possible defense for solicitation is entrapment, which means that an officer’s actions were designed to trick the individual into engaging in a criminal action that they otherwise would not have committed.
Speak With a Mountain Brook Solicitation Attorney TodayIf you were arrested and charged for soliciting prostitution in Mountain Brook, contact an experienced Mountain Brook solicitation lawyer to take a strong first step towards protecting your rights and interests. Call today to learn about the numerous other legal defenses that may be applicable to you, and start figuring out the best legal course of action for your pending case.