Carroll County Solicitation Lawyer
Solicitation for prostitution is a crime you do not want on your profile. In addition to the potential for criminal penalties such as jail time and heavy fines, a conviction for solicitation establishes a record that could haunt you for years to come.
In these days of prolific background checks and easy access to computer records, you never know when or where stories of an arrest or conviction could surface to interfere with your life.
A Carroll County solicitation lawyer could fight to keep your record clear. It may even be possible to have the charges expunged from your record. Representation from a criminal defense lawyer could protect your rights and your reputation.
Penalties for Solicitation
Md. Code, Crim. Law §11-306 specifies that solicitation for prostitution is a misdemeanor offense and that those convicted may be imprisoned for up to one year. In addition, they may be fined in an amount up to $500. A Carroll County solicitation lawyer may seek alternative penalties, if possible.
The penalties for other offenses associated with prostitution are similar in some cases and more severe in others. However, if someone is charged with solicitation of a minor under Md. Code, Crim. Law §3-324, the penalties are much more onerous. Solicitation of a minor is a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine as high as $25,000.
Definition of Solicitation
Although the laws prohibiting solicitation and related offenses are contained in Section 11-306 of the Criminal Code, the definitions of many key terms are located in Md. Code, Crim. Law §11-301. According to this statute, someone solicits when they induce, urge, request, command, encourage, or advise another person to do something.
Using this definition, someone commits illegal solicitation for prostitution if they ask someone to engage in a sexual act or sexual contact in return for money or anything considered to be of value. The action involved may be a slight touch, as long as it is done for sexual arousal or gratification.
Thus, it could take very little to trigger a violation of the statute, although a Carroll County solicitation lawyer could argue that conduct in a situation did not meet the criteria to constitute a violation.
Moreover, Md. Code, Crim. Law §11-306 prohibits not only solicitation for prostitution, but also solicitation for assignation, which refers to making an appointment, and for offering to procure or solicit for prostitution or assignation. Therefore, offering to make an appointment for someone could violate the statute.
Other Offenses Connected with Solicitation
Solicitation of a minor is not the only felony associated with solicitation. Taking another person to a place for prostitution, encouraging someone to be taken to a place for prostitution, and receiving consideration for procuring someone to be placed in a house to engage in prostitution are actions that could be prosecuted under the human trafficking prohibitions of Md. Code, Crim. Law §11-303.
This crime is a misdemeanor, but those convicted may be sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Solicitation lawyers in Carroll County are aware that the law treats many actions connected with solicitation as severe felonies. If someone persuades a minor under the age of 16 to leave home and engage in prostitution, for instance, that person may be sentenced to as much as 25 years in prison.
Work with a Knowledgeable Carroll County Solicitation Attorney Today
Because both lawmakers and law enforcement officials seek to protect vulnerable members of society who may be exploited, they no longer view prostitution and solicitation as victimless crimes. Those convicted of violating any applicable laws may be punished to the full extent of the law.
Accordingly, if you are facing accusations involving solicitation, it is wise to contact a Carroll County solicitation lawyer for assistance even if charges have not yet been filed. A dedicated defense attorney could protect your rights and help minimize the negative consequences. For a free consultation to learn more, call now.