While solicitation is typically a misdemeanor offense, a conviction still may have significant repercussions for your life well into the future. You may be required to pay several thousand dollars in fines if convicted and might also serve up to a year in jail. Contacting a Pelham solicitation lawyer for advice may be advantageous to you.
The consequences of a solicitation conviction may go well beyond the penalties for the criminal offense. A conviction could show up on your background check whenever you apply for jobs, housing, and professional licenses, which may make achieving your goals far more difficult. A skilled defense attorney may be able to provide you with the assistance you need to defend yourself against these charges.
Solicitation in PelhamSolicitation, which could occur whenever persons knowingly exchange money or anything of value with another in exchange for a sex act or sexual contact. This criminal offense falls under the general prostitution statute pursuant to Alabama Code § 13a-12-121.
Solicitation charges could occur even if the accused never engages in any sexual act or contact with the other person. It is enough that the parties involved made an agreement for the exchange of a sexual act for money or something of value.
Even if the accused is not a party to the agreed-upon act of prostitution, it is still illegal for the accused to solicit others to engage in prostitution, or what may be referred to as “pandering” and/or “pimping.” As an attorney could explain, it may be enough that the accused committed the act of soliciting patrons to be involved in prostitution.
Promoting Prostitution OffensesPromoting prostitution in the third-degree may also involve solicitation of patrons for the purposes of prostitution. This offense could occur under Alabama Code § 13A-12-113 when individuals purposefully advance or derive profit from prostitution. One definition of advancing prostitution, as contained in Alabama Code § 13A-12-110, when individuals intentionally solicit patrons for prostitution.
Elevated charges of promoting prostitution also may occur if the advancement of prostitution activities involves individuals who are under the age of 18. For minors under the age of 18, the potential charge is second-degree promoting prostitution, and for minors under the age of 16, the potential charge is first-degree promoting prostitution. These offenses are felonies with potentially harsh consequences, so an accused person may be recommended to call a solicitation attorney in Pelham for advice.
Possible Penalties for This OffenseAccording to Alabama Code § 13a-12-122, solicitation is a Class A misdemeanor. Conviction on this offense can require the payment of a fine of up to $6,000, and a jail sentence of up to one year. Promoting prostitution in the third degree also is a Class A misdemeanor.
If the charge is first- or second-degree promoting prostitution, the potential repercussions of a conviction are far more severe. As a Pelham solicitation lawyer may be able to advise to those accused of solicitation, promoting prostitution is a Class B felony that may result in a prison sentence of two to 20 years pursuant to Alabama Code § 13a-5-6.
Promoting prostitution in the second degree is also a potential Class C felony. A conviction for a Class C felony offense may result in a prison sentence ranging from one year and one day up to 10 years.
How a Pelham Solicitation Attorney Could HelpIf you are facing solicitation charges, your personal and professional future may be at stake. Your ability to resolve these charges without significant damage to your life may improve if you contact a Pelham solicitation lawyer for legal assistance in your case.
Getting legal representation when you need it most may be crucial to building a defense case against solicitation charges. The correct legal advice may enable you to better protect your future. Call today.