Portsmouth Solicitation Lawyer
Solicitation is a Class One misdemeanor in Portsmouth, and a conviction can potentially result in both jail time and fines. If you find yourself facing a charge for solicitation, you want a skilled defense attorney on your side who regularly defends sex crimes in court.
A Portsmouth solicitation lawyer can explore potential defenses in your case and offer you aggressive advocacy in the courtroom.
What is Solicitation?
For the accused to sustain a solicitation charge, it is not essential that a sexual act take place. Instead, a conviction for solicitation merely requires that the accused offer something, such as money, property, or drugs, for sexual acts.
In addition to solicitation, the accused could also face several related criminal charges, including visiting a “bawdy” place where prostitution occurs – or using a car to solicit prostitution (or in furtherance of a prostitution offense).
Potential Defenses Against Charges
In criminal cases that involve a solicitation charge, the prosecution must demonstrate the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This typically means that the accused offers money or something else of value, in exchange for a sexual act.
A Portsmouth solicitation attorney could introduce one or more legal defenses on the accused’s behalf at trial. Depending upon the circumstances, the following defenses might apply:
- Lack of criminal intent – The accused may allege that they did not have the specific intent to offer compensation for a sexual act. Merely calling an escort, for example, is not sufficient to prove that the accused intended to make payment for sex.
- Lack of sufficient proof – The government must prove its case beyond a doubt based upon ordinary common sense and reason – a high burden to satisfy. If the jury determines that the prosecutor did not satisfy this burden, then the jury can render a not-guilty verdict.
- Illegal search and seizure – The accused may allege that while obtaining evidence, the government violated their rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. A police officer, for example, may have lacked probable cause for a search or may have undertaken a search without the necessary search warrant.
- Illegal police sting operations – A police sting operation – or set-up – can occur if a police officer or investigator unlawfully entices the accused or someone else to commit the solicitation crime. These operations are sometimes illegal and could result in the prosecution dropping the solicitation or prostitution charge.
A solicitation lawyer in Portsmouth could assist by using these defenses to get charges dropped – or incriminating evidence suppressed – before the solicitation case ever makes it to trial. If the matter ultimately proceeds to trial, a knowledgeable lawyer can present evidence, along with compelling arguments on the accused’s behalf, in an attempt to obtain a not guilty verdict.
Let a Portsmouth Solicitation Attorney Assist You
Every Portsmouth solicitation case is different. Consequently, it is essential that you have a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer representing you during each stage of your criminal proceedings. Even if your lawyer is unable to obtain a dismissal on your behalf, they could help you negotiate a favorable plea deal with the prosecutor or pursue pretrial deferred sentencing to avoid a criminal conviction.
A Portsmouth solicitation lawyer can also safeguard your constitutional rights while your criminal case is pending in the court system and help you pursue the best result possible. Reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney for representation today.
