In Michigan, buying or attempting to buy sexual services is a crime known as solicitation. Engaging in prostitution in any manner, whether as the buyer or the seller, is a serious crime. While a first-time offense of solicitation is a misdemeanor, it is still punishable by a jail sentence upon conviction.
In addition to legal penalties, someone convicted of solicitation must also deal with other ramifications of having a sexually based criminal conviction. Even a single conviction can limit their employment opportunities, and lead to a damaged personal and professional reputation.
If you are facing solicitation charges, contact a Northville solicitation lawyer to begin planning your arguments for trial. Given the serious nature of these offenses, it is important that you contact a qualified criminal attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. It is important to speak with legal counsel who can appropriately represent your character during the trial.
Possible Penalties for SolicitationA first-time solicitation offense is a misdemeanor, meaning that it is punishable by less than a year in jail. However, the penalties for solicitation increase with each conviction. Those facing a solicitation charge in Northville could face up to 93 days in jail and a maximum fine of $500 for their first conviction. For a second conviction misdemeanor charge, someone could face up to one year in jail, and a maximum fine of $1,000. Anyone facing future convictions after two convictions, will be up against a felony charge with up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $2,000.
In some cases, someone convicted for solicitation may be required to register as a sex offender. Whether or not someone has to register as a sex offender will depend on the circumstances of their case. Michigan judges have a great deal of discretion when imposing penalties upon conviction. While the above list details the maximum legal penalties someone could face for a conviction, a Northville solicitation attorney can fight to decrease those penalties based on the facts of the case. Such a tailored legal defense is crucial for anyone facing solicitation charges.
Defenses for Solicitation ChargesWhen charging someone with prostitution, prosecutors must show that the defendant engaged in sexual activity in exchange for payment. However, in solicitation cases, prosecutors must only show that the defendant merely offered to pay for a sexual act.
In other words, someone could be convicted for solicitation even if they did not engage in paid sexual conduct. Therefore, a common defense to solicitation charges is that the defendant did not pay or offer to pay for a sexual act, but may have been providing a gift instead.
Another common defense is that the defendant did not have actual knowledge they were offering payment in exchange for sex, but that they believed they were paying for something else. A solicitation attorney can help someone construct a legal defense based on the unique facts of the individual’s case. Seeking legal aid can be critical during this time. It is important to work with a Northville solicitation lawyer who can help you work towards avoiding conviction.