New Haven Solicitation Lawyer
Connecticut takes allegations of solicitation very seriously. Being arrested on charges of soliciting sexual services for money can not only create legal troubles, but cause hardship in your personal life. Time is of the essence when it comes to cases like this, and guidance from a skilled defense attorney is crucial for effectively protecting your rights and building the strongest possible defense against the charges. If you have been arrested for solicitation, contacting a New Haven solicitation lawyer should be your top priority.
Understanding Solicitation as a Criminal Offense
According to Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) §53a-83, there are three ways in which someone can commit the crime of soliciting sexual acts, each of which is considered a Class A Misdemeanor. Conviction may result in up to $2,000 in fines and one year in jail.
- Compensation for Prior Sexual Conduct: You can be charged if you provide something of value to another person “pursuant to a prior understanding” as compensation for that person or a third person having already engaged in sexual conduct with you;
- Compensation for Future Sexual Conduct: You can be charged if you give or agree to give something of value to someone else with the understanding that they or a third person will engage in sexual conduct with you in the future due to that exchange; and/or
- Requesting Sexual Conduct: You can be charged if you ask someone else to engage in sexual conduct with you in exchange for compensation, regardless of whether any compensation is actually provided or whether the other person is typically compensated for such acts.
A New Haven solicitation attorney can review your specific case, and help proactively contest these charges in court.
Enhanced Penalties for Solicitation of a Minor
Far more serious are allegations of commercial sexual abuse of a minor under C.G.S. §53a-83b. This statute criminalizes soliciting sexual conduct from a person under the age of 18 by any of the methods mentioned above. This offense is typically classified as a Class B Felony, punishable by up to $15,000 in fines and a prison term ranging from 1 year to 20 years.
If the minor is under the age of 15, the offense is elevated to a Class A Felony, carrying up to $20,000 in fines and a prison term between 10 and 25 years. Building a defense to a charge of this is especially tricky, as a New Haven solicitation defense lawyer can explain, because a lack of knowledge that the person solicited was a minor is generally not a valid defense.
Trust in a New Haven Solicitation Attorney
Regardless of the specifics of your case, a conviction for soliciting a prostitute can have severe repercussions for your personal and professional life. If you are facing such allegations, obtaining assistance from experienced legal counsel as soon as possible after your arrest is crucial to protecting your interests during your case and potentially for years to come.
You can receive dedicated support from a New Haven solicitation lawyer who has effectively handled similar charges in the past and understands how to contest them while safeguarding your privacy. Call Mark Sherman Law today to learn how we can assist you, and click here to read what past clients have said about working with us on our Avvo.com profile.