Oakland County Solicitation Lawyer

Facing charges of solicitation is a serious offense that calls for serious legal representation. Anyone charged with such a crime can benefit from the legal advocacy of a skillful Oakland County solicitation lawyer. While sometimes referred to as a victimless crime, solicitation of prostitutes in Michigan remains illegal.

Such charges can sully a good reputation and jeopardize a career. If you or someone you know has been arrested on charges of solicitation in Oakland County, contact an experienced criminal lawyer immediately. The sooner you reach out to a compassionate, aggressive attorney, the sooner your defense can be established.

Though sometimes used interchangeably, prostitution and solicitation charges are very different. To be convicted of prostitution charges, a person must have exchanged money for sex acts. Solicitation charges require only the propositioning of another person to engage in sex acts for money. The difference lies in the actions taken. Solicitation convictions require only intent to engage in prostitution.

In Michigan, most solicitation cases are brought under the local ordinance of the municipality in which the crime allegedly occurred. For first time offenders, solicitation charges are misdemeanors and convictions can result in prison sentences of up to 93 days and fines of up to $500. Three or more solicitation convictions constitute a felony with much harsher potential penalties: up to two years in prison and fines of up to $2,000.

Beyond fines and jail time, people convicted of soliciting a prostitute in Oakland County may be required to register on the Michigan sex offender list. A person’s reputation within the community may be permanently damaged, and their personal relationships may be jeopardized. Attempts at gaining future employment or places to live may become more difficult.

Of course, judges exercise a tremendous amount of discretion when imposing solicitation penalties. That is why hiring an experienced Oakland County solicitation lawyer is so critically important. Without proper legal representation, people charged with solicitation face an uphill battle.

An experienced solicitation lawyer could help individuals establish a rock-solid defense against charges of solicitation. By conducting a thorough investigation into their arrest and alleged crime, a knowledgeable attorney can spot inconsistencies and any rights violations that might have occurred. In some cases, if a person unknowingly committed the offense or was led into the crime by an undercover police officer, their charges can be reduced or dismissed entirely.

An Oakland County solicitation lawyer can work to ensure a defendant’s rights were not violated from the moment the arrest took place through the entire investigation. If the perosn’s rights were indeed violated, evidence collected against them may not be admissible in court. By thoroughly investigating the circumstances that led to the arrest, an attorney can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence. Even witness testimony can be called into question.

Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, an empathetic Oakland County solicitation lawyer can help. Law firms that routinely handle prostitution and solicitation cases understand how traumatic such charges can be and know how to handle potential clients with respect and grace. An attorney can help you pursue restoration of your reputation.