Troy Solicitation Lawyer

Soliciting sexual services is illegal in Troy, and anyone charged with it may face incarceration, a fine, and may also have to register as a sex offender—which could have an adverse impact on personal and professional relationships. Obtaining competent legal services from a skilled attorney may be necessary to protect legal rights. Speak with a Troy solicitation lawyer to learn more about building a strong defense and the possibility of receiving the appropriate legal representation.

In solicitation cases, both the person seeking sexual services and the person providing such a service can face charges of a misdemeanor offense. Previous solicitation convictions may advance the charge to a more serious felony offense.

The law in Troy, Michigan allows police to arrest anyone who solicits sexual relations for compensation. However, just agreeing to pay for sex, without any exchange, can still be considered a crime if an action like reaching for a wallet accompanies a verbal agreement.

Persons facing a first solicitation charge may receive up to 93 days of incarceration, a $500 fine, a court order to perform community service, and a term of probation. If they violate probation, a court may send a person back to confinement. A second conviction can be punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A third solicitation charge may be a felony with more severe consequences.

If the court orders a person to register as a sex offender, they could remain on that list for life. However, the court can no longer increase its restrictions for sex-related offenses after they adjudicate the offense since the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in October of 2017 that this practice violates the constitution.

An arrest is a crucial time in a case. The state can use anything a suspect says to law enforcement officers or anything an officer hears as evidence in legal proceedings.

Anyone being arrested on suspicion of solicitation should courteously decline to answer any questions until such time that competent legal counsel, such as a Troy solicitation lawyer, is available to render assistance. By doing this, the suspect can minimize their risk of incriminating themselves.

A person charged with solicitation may be able to challenge the evidence police developed. If law enforcement agents violated a person’s rights, the defense may be able to bar evidence from court. They could also work to find mitigating evidence that may help the defendant’s case and reduce punishment.

Common defenses include that a person did not provide any form of compensation or that they unknowingly committed the offense. Another potential defense is if a law enforcement officer entrapped the defendant into committing solicitation when they would not have otherwise. Speak with a Troy solicitation lawyer to learn more about these types of defenses.

However, sting operations are generally not entrapment. Voluntary intoxication is also generally not a defense.

A solicitation charge can be stressful, especially considering the potential consequences. An attorney with extensive experience handling these cases could be an advocate for someone facing these charges. Regardless of the circumstances, a Troy solicitation lawyer may be able to help. Call today for a free consultation.