L.A. Criminal Law Attorney Fights Your Solicitation Charge
Facing a solicitation charge in Los Angeles can lead to significant legal consequences. Under California Penal Code section 647(b), solicitation is defined as the act of requesting another person to engage in prostitution. Similarly, engaging in or agreeing to perform a lewd act for compensation is classified as prostitution. Both are prosecuted as misdemeanors, meaning they cannot be escalated to felony charges under PC 647(b). However, the gravity of these offenses should not be underestimated, as they are considered crimes of moral turpitude and can carry penalties that increase with subsequent convictions.
Penalties for Solicitation Conviction in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, being convicted of solicitation under California Penal Code section 647(b) requires the state to establish clear evidence of your intent to engage in prostitution. Merely nodding or winking at someone suspected of being a prostitute is insufficient for conviction. The prosecution must prove a deliberate intent to solicit sexual services.
If found guilty of solicitation, the legal consequences can include:
- A maximum of six months in county jail.
- Fines up to $1,000.
- Suspension of your driver’s license for up to 30 days, particularly if the offense occurred in a vehicle within 1,000 feet of a residential area.
What if an undercover officer encourages the solicitation?
In Los Angeles, it’s common for police to conduct sting operations where officers pose as prostitutes or pimps to arrest individuals for solicitation. If an undercover officer employs tactics like pressure, harassment, fraud, flattery, or threats, leading you to commit acts you wouldn’t normally engage in, an entrapment defense might be applicable.
However, it’s important to understand that entrapment in legal terms is specific. Simply being presented with the opportunity to engage in sexual activities with a prostitute does not qualify as entrapment. For a successful entrapment defense, it must be demonstrated that the officer’s actions would have likely induced a normally law-abiding person to commit the crime.
Reducing solicitation charges
Depending on your criminal history and the skill of your defense lawyer, it may be possible to reduce a solicitation charge to a charge of disturbing the peace. This can protect your personal and professional reputation. To increase your chances of reducing the charges, call a defense lawyer immediately after your arrest.
For more information please visit:
- California Prostitution And Solicitation Of A Prostitute Laws Explained
- FAQs About Prostitution And Solicitation Of A Prostitute
- Common Questions Asked In Prostitution And Solicitation Of A Prostitute Cases
- Consequences Of Prostitution And Solicitation Of A Prostitute
- Why Should Someone Hire An Experienced Attorney For Prostitution Cases?
Let An Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Defend You
At the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we work diligently to protect your reputation. You can schedule a consultation with a lawyer from our firm by calling us at (310) 448-1529 or contacting us online. Our office is conveniently located in the Westside Towers in Los Angeles, within minutes of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, and steps away from the Expo/Bundy Station. We have flexible hours and weekend appointments, and we will visit you in jail to discuss your case.
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