Virginia Beach Solicitation Lawyer

Offering another person money, services, or material goods in exchange for sexual favors is known as solicitation, and it is illegal in the state of Virginia. A conviction for solicitation can result in harsh penalties and a permanent criminal record, as well as damage your reputation and standing in your community.

If you were charged with solicitation, you should typically begin by retaining a seasoned criminal defense attorney. With assistance from a Virginia Beach solicitation lawyer, you could more effectively stand up for your rights and pursue a positive outcome to your case.

Defenses to Solicitation Charges

In court, a prosecutor is charged with the task of proving a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In cases involving solicitation, they must prove the defendant offered money or an item of value in exchange for sexual acts.

Although solicitation charges may seem impossible to beat, a Virginia Beach solicitation attorney may be able to help determine whether any statutory defenses may apply to the case in question. For instance, if an undercover police officer enticed the defendant to commit solicitation, thereby committing entrapment, the court may not be able to find the defendant guilty.

Likewise, the prosecutor must prove the defendant explicitly offered money or something of value in exchange for sexual acts. Simply talking to a prostitute is not proof of intent to pay for sex, so proving lack of intent may be a valid defense against conviction. Furthermore, if a law enforcement officer violated a defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights in order to obtain evidence, that evidence may not be admissible in court.

Penalties for Solicitation

Both solicitation and prostitution are Class 1 misdemeanors in the State of Virginia. A Class 1 misdemeanor conviction for solicitation can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. A person does not actually have to engage in sexual activity to be convicted of solicitation—there simply needs to be an offer of money or material goods.

Aiding another person in the procurement of a prostitute is also considered solicitation under state law. In the same vein, it can be considered evidence of solicitation to visit a place where one knows prostitution often occurs, and it is illegal to use a car while committing solicitation.

Even if a person is unaware a building or area is frequented by individuals engaging in prostitution and solicitation, they can still be arrested and charged according to state law. Anyone who does so may face additional charges, and they may accordingly benefit even more from the services of an experienced solicitation lawyer in Virginia Beach.

Learn More from a Virginia Beach Solicitation Attorney

If you were charged with solicitation, it may feel as if the world is ending—and if you are convicted, your life may very well be changed forever. Fortunately, by working with an experienced attorney, you may stand a better chance of mitigating or avoiding the penalties that accompany a solicitation conviction. Learn more today by contacting a Virginia Beach solicitation lawyer immediately.