There are serious consequences that apply to a conviction for soliciting a prostitute in Lancaster. While the mere allegations can impact your life and your future, this is nothing compared to the risk of being found guilty. Thankfully, you have the right to hire a Lancaster solicitation lawyer to advocate on your behalf.
These cases can feel helpless, but the reality is they are often winnable. The state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and is not always prepared to meet this high burden. Let me, a dedicated defense attorney, protect your rights.
According to Ohio Revised Code § 2907.24, the crime of solicitation occurs when someone knowingly solicits another person to exchange something of value in exchange for sex. This crime applies to people who engage with prostitutes, which involves performing sex acts for money.
There are some important factors that apply to this statute. First, a person is only guilty of solicitation if they knowingly engage in this type of transaction. In other words, someone who believes they are pursuing a consensual, non-commercial sexual encounter is not soliciting, even if the person they are engaging with hopes to be paid.
Next, it is worth noting that this crime occurs through the act of negotiating alone. In other words, a person can be convicted of solicitation even if they were never involved in a sexual encounter or paid anyone to do anything.
Finally, the acts in question must be motivated by the exchange of something valuable. This is often money, but it could be anything from favors to property. Even illegal drugs that cannot be lawfully sold qualify under the statute.
While this offense is a serious matter, there is the opportunity to fight the charges and avoid a criminal record. My support as a Lancaster solicitation attorney is crucial for building the strongest possible defense.
Solicitation is considered a misdemeanor in the third degree following a conviction. According to Ohio Revised Code § 2929.24, the penalties of a guilty verdict include a maximum jail term of 60 days. There is also a fine of up to $500 to consider.
Being found guilty of this offense can also damage your reputation, making it difficult to hold a job or find a suitable place to live. These are known as collateral consequences. While they do not stem directly from the statute, they are still serious matters that can impact a person’s life in negative ways following a guilty verdict. The good news is that avoiding all collateral consequences is possible by prevailing at trial and avoiding a conviction.
There are ways to fight back against solicitation conviction, especially with my help as a Lancaster lawyer. These arrests are frequently made as part of a larger sting operation, which can lead to mistakes. Law enforcement might also charge someone based on assumptions without any actual evidence that solicitation had occurred.
When the police jump to conclusions, it is often possible to challenge the strength of the state’s evidence. The prosecution has to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and that is a burden it is not always able to meet.
Other solicitation defenses are based on an argument of entrapment. This applies in situations where the police coerce someone into committing a crime they would not have otherwise been a part of. Entrapment can happen when the police attempt to use deception to obtain an arrest, only to go too far and force someone to commit a crime they would not have.
If you have been charged with solicitation, it can feel like your conviction is for certain. The truth is that you have the right to fight back and a chance to beat these charges. Many people have a real opportunity to get out of this situation with a clean record.
Now is the right time to put your trust in a Lancaster solicitation lawyer like myself. Reach out immediately for a private consultation.