Newport News Solicitation Lawyer
Being charged with solicitation can be a stressful experience. If you are facing a charge of solicitation of prostitution, legal help is available. A Newport News solicitation lawyer could potentially fight to have the charges reduced or even dropped.
Solicitation and attempts to solicit are Class one misdemeanor offenses in Newport News that are both punishable by confinement in jail and a fine if convicted. Fighting such charges on your own can be difficult. With a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side, you could have someone familiar with the legal system protecting your rights and fighting for the best possible resolution.
Solicitation Offenses
Solicitation of prostitution is a criminal offense outlined in section 18.2-346 of the criminal code of Virginia. The criminal code defines solicitation as the act of offering another individual money or its equivalent for that person to engage in sexual acts.
Solicitation of prostitution is a Class one misdemeanor in Newport News unless the person being solicited is a minor. Soliciting a minor who is at least 16 years of age is a Class 6 felony. When the minor is under 16 years of age, then the charge is elevated to a Class 5 felony.
In cases involving solicitation of minors for prostitution, it does not matter if the alleged solicitor was unaware of the minor’s actual age. A person could still be charged with a felony offense rather than a misdemeanor even if that person believed the minor to be over the age of 18. However, it is possible that a solicitation lawyer in Newport News could potentially fight to have the elevated charges reduced when an accused individual was unaware the person solicited was a minor.
Prostitution Offenses
Offenses related to solicitation in Newport News include prostitution and pandering. When an individual solicits another person for commercial sexual conduct, that other person could be charged with prostitution if he or she agrees to accept money or its equivalent in exchange for engaging in sexual acts. The offense of pandering occurs when an individual facilitates commercial sexual conduct between a solicitor and a prostitute.
Solicitation Penalties in Newport News
As a Class 1 misdemeanor, the maximum penalty for solicitation of prostitution in Newport News is a 12-month jail sentence and a $2,500 fine. The maximum possible penalty is significantly more severe when solicitation is charged as either a Class 5 or 6 felony due to solicitation of a minor.
Class 6 felonies are punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $2,500. Class 5 felonies are punishable by a maximum prison sentence of ten years and a fine of up to $2,500. A knowledgeable attorney could answer questions regarding the possible penalty for the specific misdemeanor or felony offense a person might be facing.
Prostitution and Pandering Penalties
Like solicitation, the offense of prostitution is also a Class 1 misdemeanor with the same penalties — up to12 months in jail and a potential fine of up to $2,500. The related offense of pandering is a Class 4 felony punishable by a prison sentence of two to ten years a fine of up to $100,000.
A Newport News lawyer for prostitution could explain the possible penalties for subsequent prostitution-related offenses when a person has prior convictions for prostitution.
How a Newport News Solicitation Attorney Can Help
Attempting to deal with solicitation of prostitution charges on your own can be challenging, especially if the alleged prostitute happens to be a minor. A Newport News solicitation lawyer could provide the legal assistance you need to obtain the best possible resolution in your case.
An attorney could protect your constitutional due process rights, while possibly also fighting to have the charges reduced or dismissed. Speak with a Newport News solicitation attorney about your case today.