Solicitation Crimes in Sarasota, FL

In the state of Florida, it is illegal to engage in any act relating to the act of prostitution. This includes soliciting for prostitution, soliciting to commit a lewd act, or otherwise aiding or supporting prostitution. If you have been charged with a crime relating to solicitation, contact an experienced Sarasota prostitution attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. We will defend your rights and help you fight the charges against you.

Definition of Solicitation

Solicitation is defined as asking, bribing, encouraging, or commanding another person to commit a crime. In this case, the crime is prostitution. Florida Statute 796.07 defines the crime as “giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire.” Sexual activity is defined in section 1(d) as “oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; or the handling or fondling of the sexual organ of another for the purposes of masturbation.”

For the crime of solicitation to occur, there does not necessarily need to be a sexual act involved. Simply the request to commit a sexual act can be considered solicitation. In addition, you can be charged with solicitation even if you do not provide any money for sexual acts or services. This is why it’s extremely important to contact an aggressive Sarasota prostitution attorney at Pallegar Law P.A. who can defend your case. It is common to be charged with solicitation as a result of a sting operation conducted by law enforcement. These operations are set up in order to catch people who are soliciting prostitutes. Even if you do not engage in a sexual act or provide any kind of compensation, you can still be charged with the crime.

Penalties for Solicitation

The penalties for a solicitation conviction increase with each subsequent offense. For a first offense, the crime is classified as a misdemeanor, carrying with jail time of up to one year, and fines of up to $1,000. A second offense is considered a third-degree felony, and can result in five years of prison, five years of probation, and up to $5,000 in fines. A third offense is considered a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and up to $10,000 in fines.

However, these penalties are only a few of the repercussions caused by a solicitation conviction. You may also have to complete community service hours, attend a human trafficking awareness course, undergo STI/STD screening, and pay a civil fine of $5,000 in addition to any criminal fines. You also will have to deal with a permanent criminal record and the stigma of a sex crime conviction.

Call Pallegar Law, P.A. Today

If you or someone you know has been charged with the crime of solicitation, contact a Sarasota criminal defense attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. today. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get to work fighting your case. Call 941-893-5816 today to schedule a free consultation.