Hickory Soliciting A Prostitute Lawyer

Hickory Soliciting A Prostitute Attorney

An arrest for soliciting a prostitute, which falls under sex crimes, can be a damaging charge that could threaten to unravel your entire life in a very public way. Such a charge can impact your personal and professional relationships, affect your children, harm your employment status, and make it difficult for you to recoup your reputation. The penalties for solicitation can be detrimental, but arguably not as much as the stigma. You may want to speak with a Hickory soliciting a prostitute lawyer today.

The Penalties for Solicitation in North Carolina

In North Carolina, solicitation is described as paying another person for the purpose of prostitution. The crime of solicitation is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class H felony for any subsequent offenses. Any person aged 18 or older who willfully and intentionally attempts to solicit a minor for sex can be charged with a Class G felony.

Possible Defenses for Solicitation in North Carolina

There are multiple possible defenses against a charge of solicitation of a prostitute. Any one of these potential defenses can be viable if your lawyer has helped you build a significant case out of them. Here are some of the possible defenses against solicitation charges in Hickory, North Carolina:

• Entrapment: Entrapment occurs when law enforcement agents willfully lure innocent people into committing crimes so they can then arrest them. Entrapment can be a common occurrence when it comes to prostitution, and it can only work as a viable defense when a law enforcement or government agent is involved. It can be difficult to develop a viable defense when the offender has a criminal record.
• Lack of Evidence: In order to make a charge of soliciting a prostitute stick, the prosecution will need to prove a number of important factors, the most important one being that money actually exchanged hands. If that cannot be proven, there isn’t much of a case against you. Motive and opportunity may not be enough for this charge to stick, and there may be no evidence of you declaring your intent to solicit a prostitute or give them money.
• Lack of Intent: The prosecution may also be required to prove that you had fully intended to solicit a prostitute when you were arrested for doing so. However, just because you were seen with a prostitute, it doesn’t automatically mean anything happened. You could argue you approached them on a dare, you had no idea they were a prostitute, or that you weren’t actually serious when you approached them. All of these show a blatant lack of intent.
• Good Samaritan: One defense your lawyer may advise you to take in this case is that you did, in fact, know the person you were with was a prostitute, but you went there intending to renounce any criminal activity and prevent any further crimes from happening. You will need to prove that your intentions were noble above all else and that you took active steps to renounce and prevent any crimes that may have been committed.
• Lack of Consent: You and your lawyer can argue that you were forced to engage in solicitation against your will, and you had no choice but to go through with it under threat of violence.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Crime of Solicitation in North Carolina?

A: Under North Carolina state law, the crime of solicitation occurs when someone intentionally and willfully attempts to solicit another person for sexual favors for money. The crime of soliciting someone for prostitution is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor in North Carolina for the first offense, but it jumps to a Class H felony for any subsequent offenses. The crime of soliciting a minor for prostitution is a Class G felony in North Carolina.

Q: What Is a Class 1 Misdemeanor in North Carolina?

A: A Class 1 misdemeanor in North Carolina is a fairly serious crime with consequences that largely depend on your pre-existing criminal record. The standard punishment for a Class 1 misdemeanor is a maximum sentence of 120 days in jail and a fine that is given at the discretion of a judge. Some examples of Class 1 misdemeanors in North Carolina are petty larceny, domestic criminal trespass, breaking and entering, and first-offense solicitation.

Q: Is Soliciting a Prostitute a Felony in North Carolina?

A: Soliciting a prostitute in North Carolina is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense, which can see you facing time in jail and a fine that is given at a judge’s discretion. For any subsequent offenses after the first, soliciting a prostitute does become a felony. It becomes a Class H felony, which carries a possible maximum sentence of extensive time in prison. Only a first offense is considered a misdemeanor.

Q: What Constitutes the Crime of Solicitation?

A: The crime of solicitation is not just related to prostitution. What constitutes the crime of solicitation is one person seeking out another person to engage in a criminal act on purpose. Simply asking someone else to commit a crime with you can be considered solicitation. A conviction for solicitation requires intent, an agreement to commit a crime, and another person receiving that request. Experienced attorneys can help you understand the specifics of your case and build a strong defense.

Reach Out to a Hickory Sex Crime Lawyer Today

Facing a charge of soliciting a prostitute can be embarrassing, scary, and frustrating. The damage it can do to your livelihood, your personal life, and your future is potentially staggering. That is why it is so important to protect yourself when such charges arise. Reach out to Cody Law Firm to get the help you need to build a case for yourself.

We can help you defend yourself against these charges by developing your case, molding your defense, gathering evidence, and advocating for you in court if it comes to that. A solicitation charge is no joke, and the consequences can be disastrous. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a team member and learn how we can help you figure out the next step forward with your case.