Stamford Solicitation Lawyer

If an individual has been accused of soliciting a prostitute in the Stamford area, they are likely concerned with their reputation, as well as the potential penalties they could face. Although they may be subject to substantial criminal penalties if convicted, the publicity that comes with charges of solicitation can also be incredibly damaging.

Those convicted of patronizing prostitutes in Connecticut will have their names published both online and in local police blotters. This type of publicity can result in irreparable damage to an individual’s reputation both in their private and professional life.

If you have been arrested for solicitation, it is imperative that you obtain a Stamford solicitation lawyer as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of avoiding a conviction and minimizing the damaging effects of the charges against you.

An experienced Stamford criminal lawyer will help you fight for your legal rights with discretion and understanding while working diligently to erase any record of your charges from the public record.

Defining Solicitation

Although solicitation is illegal in Connecticut, many defendants misunderstand the evidence that is necessary to convict them of this crime. The prosecution does not need to prove that an alleged prostitute was paid, or even that sexual acts were performed, in order to successfully convict a patron, (often known as a “John”), of solicitation.

Even the act of discussing prices and terms with a prostitute can result in a solicitation conviction, regardless of whether either party took any further action. In certain circumstances, solicitation constitutes a felony offense that can result in severe penalties.

A Stamford solicitation lawyer with experience in this area of the law will be able to identify all the possible legal arguments available to defend against these types of charges, while ensuring the rights of their client are protected at all times.

Elements of a Solicitation Charge

While prostitution is often harshly punished in Connecticut, those who patronize prostitutes are also at risk of criminal prosecution. Engaging in or discussing the terms of sexual conduct with a prostitute, also known as solicitation, is a distinct crime under the Connecticut Penal Code, which can sometimes result in more severe penalties than prostitution itself.

A person who pays another person for engaging in sexual conduct with them is guilty of solicitation, as is a person who merely requests that another engage in sexual conduct with them in exchange for a fee.

Even if no sexual contact occurs or no money changes hands, charges of solicitation can be brought if the prosecution has evidence that an act of prostitution was solicited by a defendant. Connecticut law also explicitly prohibits soliciting a prostitute from within a motor vehicle.

Penalties

Solicitation in Connecticut typically constitutes a class A misdemeanor offense. In most cases, those arrested for soliciting prostitutes facing the same penalties as those engaged in prostitution. Conviction of a class A misdemeanor in Connecticut can result in jail time of up to one year, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

While Connecticut judges are often inclined to be somewhat lenient in sentencing those convicted of solicitation, in certain circumstances they may be subject to severe felony penalties.

If the prosecution can establish that the person soliciting a prostitute either knew or reasonably should have known that the prostitute was either under the age of 18 or was the victim of human trafficking, solicitation can constitute a class C felony offense. Under Connecticut law, a conviction of a class C felony offense can result in up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Benefit of an Attorney

If an individual is facing charges of solicitation, they will need a Stamford solicitation attorney with experience in this area of the law to give the individual the best possible chances of lowering or minimizing the penalties they are facing.

With such low evidentiary requirements needed for a conviction and potential felony penalties on the line, it is not worth the risk of trying to defend yourself without experienced legal representation.

Solicitation cases often seem deceptively simple, and it is very important to fully understand the charges against you and your options under the law before you get to court. You do not have to go through this alone. A Stamford solicitation lawyer will build an effective strategy, that can help reduce any penalties you may be facing.