Patronizing Solicitation Prostitution

Patronizing or soliciting prostitution is a misdemeanor offense in California; those convicted could potentially face jail time along with other criminal penalties. At The Justice Firm, our Los Angeles prostitution defense attorneys are dedicated to protecting your legal rights and freedom, providing a vigorous and effective defense in order to secure positive results. While it would seem that either prostitution or solicitation of prostitution are victimless crimes, prosecutors and the laws of California see things in a different light. Not only could a conviction result in jail time, but ruin of your career and reputation.

Patronizing prostitution basically means that you allegedly solicited or hired an individual to engage in sexual acts or prostitution. When you offer money or other compensation to another person who agrees to have sex with you, it may result in criminal charges. Penetration does not have to occur in order for you to be charged with solicitation of prostitution; any lewd act such as touching another person's body in the genital, breast, or buttocks area for arousal or gratification may lead to serious consequences.

Soliciting prostitution is prosecuted under California Penal Code section 647(b). In order for the prosecutor to be successful, he or she must prove that an individual solicited another person or agreed with another to engage in the act of prostitution. Intent is another element which must be proven, and orally stating intent is not sufficient. There must be evidence of intent to patronize prostitution, such as the exchange of money or drugs for sex. Another element is the act of furtherance, which basically means an action was taken to engage in sex or lewd conduct such as the removal of clothes, exchange of money/compensation, etc.

As mentioned earlier, this sex offense is typically charged as a misdemeanor. However, the criminal penalties for either prostitution or solicitation may include fines of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. These penalties are for a first-time offense; subsequent offenses will result in increased penalties.

In addition, if a vehicle was used for committing the act of prostitution and the offense committed within 1,000 feet of a residence, the defendant may have his or her driver's license suspended for 30 days. The judge may also decide to put the license on restricted status for as long as six months.

If you have been accused of patronizing prostitution in Los Angeles or surrounding areas, we urge you to take action immediately to protect your reputation, career, and freedom. As skilled Los Angeles sex crime defense attorneys, we have a wide array of defense strategies which may work to your advantage including insufficient evidence, lack of intent/mistake, and entrapment to name a few.

As with any other criminal offense, those accused of solicitation of prostitution are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Regardless of your innocence or guilt, you must take action to protect yourself from a conviction and the resulting criminal penalties. At The Justice Firm, we will investigate the details of your case, examine the evidence, and work personally with you to determine the most effective approach to reach your desired outcome. Contact us now at 310-914-2444.