While solicitation comments are somewhat common, they can have a disastrous impact on a person’s reputation. Experienced criminal attorneys have seen the stigma attached to solicitation destroy relationships and alter someone’s reputation. If you have been charged with solicitation in Michigan, it is important that you reach out to a Kent County solicitation lawyer as soon as possible, in order to protect your future.
Understanding Michigan Solicitation LawsThough prostitution is often nicknamed the world’s oldest profession, it is still illegal in the United States. Solicitation of the sexual services of escorts call girls, and prostitutes are considered a misdemeanor in Michigan, with enforcement often occurring as a subset of prostitution.
Prostitution charges require sexual acts to be performed and money to exchange hands. A person facing solicitation charges, however, is often charged with merely planning to solicit a sex worker and taking some action (like getting cash out from the ATM) to further the agreement. The recruitment of prostitutes and the planning of a situation for others to practice prostitution, or pimping and pandering, respectively, are also illegal in Michigan.
Penalties for Solicitation ChargesFirst and second solicitation offenses in Michigan are considered misdemeanors, but those arrested beyond the first two times may face felony charges. For first convictions, a person may be sentenced to up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both. For second convictions, a person may face up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Those convicted three or more times may face up to two years in prison, fines of up to $2,000, or both.
People convicted of solicitation will also be required to register as a sex offender and be barred from working in any school in Michigan. In some cases, police step over the line when trying to rid their neighborhoods of prostitution. A Kent County solicitation lawyer can review police reports and thoroughly investigate whether authorities violated any rights while making an arrest.
If a person is arrested in a sting operation that involved undercover police officers, they may be considered a victim of entrapment. For entrapment to occur, an undercover officer must pressure a person to commit an offense they normally would not commit. Victims of entrapment cannot be convicted of solicitation. In other cases, there is not enough evidence to convict people arrested for solicitation. If an ambiguous conversation about exchanging money for sex occurred, or if there was an agreement for sex but no discussion of payment, insufficient evidence can be claimed.
Contact an AttorneyA solicitation charge can damage the record of an otherwise law-abiding citizen. It is often a one-time offense, but can negatively impact someone’s life for years. A Kent County solicitation lawyer can work to minimize the negative consequences such charges have on an individual.
Attorneys can represent individuals who have been charged with solicitation and can aid business owners that have been charged with operating a brothel or supplying escorts, call girls, or other sexual services. Do not let solicitation charges threaten your future.