West Palm Beach Solicitation Lawyer

Prostitution Defense Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL Offering Compassionate Legal Support in Solicitation Cases in Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and Throughout South Florida

Under Florida law, both prostitution and hiring a prostitute are serious criminal offenses. With fines and jail time on the line, you need a West Palm Beach solicitation lawyer who is committed to exploring all avenues of defense. It’s possible to minimize the consequences of this legal matter, but you need to act swiftly and decisively. Retaining skilled legal counsel allows you to protect your rights, prevent mistakes that could undermine your defense, and begin building an effective legal strategy.

At BD Law, we advocate tirelessly for our clients, guiding them through the criminal legal system with professional skill, in-depth knowledge of the nuances of Florida prostitution law, and empathy for the accused. We know that this whole situation is stressful, scary, and potentially embarrassing. We’re here to protect your privacy and dignity to the fullest extent possible while working to secure a favorable resolution to the charges against you.

Find out what BD Law can do for you. Contact us today to get started with a free, confidential consultation.

Understanding Prostitution, Solicitation, and Related Charges in West Palm Beach, FL

If you’re facing criminal charges, you need to know that Florida law places broad restrictions on acts pertaining to prostitution and solicitation. Both those accused of being sex workers and the “johns” accused of hiring them can face significant consequences if convicted—as can others alleged to have arranged for prostitution to occur, established locations for such activities to take place, or provided transportation to facilitate prostitution.

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Prostitution and Solicitation Charges

Florida law criminalizes both hiring and working as a prostitute under Section 796.07 of Florida Statutes. This law defines prostitution as sexual activity of any form (oral, anal, female genital penetration, or handling or fondling of sexual organs) for hire and includes both giving and receiving of such services as prohibited activities.

What Constitutes Prostitution and Solicitation Under FL Law?

Actions criminalized under this statute include:

• Hiring, purchasing, or soliciting a prostitute for yourself or someone else
• Soliciting, enticing, inducing, or procuring another to provide sexual services for hire
• Offering or agreeing to secure a prostitute for any purpose
• Engaging in prostitution (sexual activity of any kind for hire), if 18 years old or older
• Establishing or operating any building or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution
• Receiving a person into a building or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution
• Entering a building or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution
• Transporting any person for the purpose of prostitution
• Aiding, abetting, or participating in any act of prostitution, arranging prostitution, or solicitation of a prostitute

Your defense strategy depends on the exact nature of the charges against you and the specific facts involved in your situation. Choosing a prostitution defense attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, who provides comprehensive representation for violations of this nature ensures that you’re prepared for all aspects of the legal process ahead.

Penalties for Prostitution and Solicitation Offenses in West Palm Beach

Some acts of prostitution or solicitation are punished more severely than others under Florida law. Felony offenses are more serious violations than misdemeanor offenses. In both felony and misdemeanor matters, there are grades of severity of charges, with first-degree charges being the most serious.

For most offenses related to prostitution and solicitation, a first offense is typically charged as a second-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face up to 60 days of jail time and up to $500 in fines.

A second offense can result in more serious first-degree misdemeanor charges. Penalties include up to one year of prison time and up to $1,000 in fines.

Third and subsequent prostitution and solicitation offenses can constitute a third-degree felony violation. A conviction can result in up to five years of prison time and up to $5,000 in fines. Under Florida law, repeat offenders may be offered admission to pretrial intervention programs or substance abuse treatment programs to aid them in rehabilitation.

State law punishes most severely the crimes of soliciting or enticing another person to commit prostitution and operating what is supposed to be a massage establishment for the purposes of prostitution.

A first offense of soliciting another person into prostitution constitutes a first-degree misdemeanor, which could lead to a year-long prison sentence. A second violation is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years of jail time. For third or subsequent violations, you face second-degree felony charges and potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison.

Under state law, this violation results in a $5,000 civil penalty in the event of any outcome other than dismissal of the charges or an acquittal (not-guilty verdict) at trial. Additionally, this offense is punishable by 100 hours of court-ordered community service and, at your own expense, mandatory attendance of an educational program on the negative impact of commercial sex and human trafficking. If the offense involved the use of a vehicle, it may be subject to court-ordered impoundment for 60 days, as well.

For second and subsequent offenses of soliciting or enticing another person into prostitution, you may be subject to a minimum mandatory period of imprisonment of 10 days.

A first violation of operating a purported massage establishment for the purpose of prostitution constitutes a first-degree misdemeanor. Second offenses can be charged as third-degree felonies, and third and subsequent violations are second-degree felonies.

Depending on the charges against you, a conviction for prostitution or solicitation could result in significant fines and civil penalties, as well as jail time ranging from a matter of days to many years. Don’t underestimate how serious the charges you’re facing are. You need to take action now to support your defense by retaining an experienced West Palm Beach solicitation lawyer.

Solicitation of a Minor Charges

If the person you’re accused of soliciting for sex (for hire or otherwise) happens to be a minor, you could be facing other serious charges under various Florida laws.

Section 800.04 of Florida Statutes establishes the crime of soliciting a person under 16 years of age to commit a lewd or lascivious act. Depending on the circumstances, including the age of the accused, this violation could result in third-degree or even second-degree felony charges, leading to substantial fines and prison time.

Under Section 847.0135 of Florida Statutes, the offenses established include:

• Soliciting sexual conduct with a minor via computer
• Luring or enticing a child for the purpose of unlawful sexual conduct
• Traveling to meet a minor for purposes of unlawful sexual conduct

The penalties for offenses pertaining to online solicitation of a minor for sex depend on the grade of the charge. For a third-degree felony charge, you could face a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. For a second-degree felony conviction, you could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Additionally, you could be required to register as a sex offender.

Having skilled legal support is critical when you have been accused of an offense that involves the solicitation of a minor for sex.

Charges of Solicitation to Commit a Crime

Although solicitation is commonly associated with prostitution, Florida law also criminalizes efforts to solicit another individual to commit, attempt to commit, or aid in committing any kind of crime. Under Section 777.04 of Florida Statutes, it’s illegal to solicit another person to commit a crime. Conduct that can constitute the crime of solicitation in this context may include:

• Commanding
• Encouraging
• Hiring
• Requesting

If the person you are accused of soliciting to commit a crime is under 12 years old, the following actions can also constitute solicitation:

• Alluring
• Seducing
• Coaxing
• Inducing

You can be charged with solicitation even if the attempts to commit the crime are ultimately prevented or intercepted.

Generally, the severity of the offense of soliciting another to commit a crime depends on factors such as the type of crime in question and the penalties that offense could carry, if the intended crime had been executed as intended.

The Difference a Skilled Prostitution Defense Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, Can Make

At BD Law, we recognize that there are numerous factors involved in charges of solicitation and prostitution. Whether your charges arose out of misunderstandings, mistakes you can’t take back, desperation, coercion, lapses in judgment, or lack of knowledge, you deserve professional and aggressive representation throughout the legal process. You deserve to have on your side a strong, compassionate advocate who isn’t here to judge you but instead to uphold your legal rights and minimize the impact of these charges on your future.

Our firm provides comprehensive legal support for prostitution and solicitation charges of all kinds. We defend those accused of engaging in commercial sex work, hiring prostitutes, running an establishment where prostitution takes place, facilitating human trafficking, soliciting minors, and all types of other offenses.

Having skilled legal representation on your side matters. This is your one opportunity to fight the charges against you effectively and work to minimize the consequences of this matter on your future. BD Law has succeeded in securing favorable outcomes of all kinds on behalf of our clients, including:

• Complete dismissals of criminal charges
• Reductions of charges and penalties through negotiations
• Not-guilty trial verdicts
• Suppression of evidence improperly obtained by law enforcement or the prosecution
• Lenient sentences achieved through tireless advocacy and the introduction of mitigating factors

Although every case is unique, with strengths, weaknesses, and details that impact the feasible outcomes, our goal is always to secure the most favorable resolution possible so you can move forward with your life.

How BD Law Can Help When You’ve Been Arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution

Achieving a beneficial outcome in matters involving prostitution and solicitation demands a strong, strategic defense. BD Law develops effective defenses through our:

• Meticulous investigation
• Thorough collection of evidence that supports your defense
• Personalized arguments based on the specific facts of your situation

Throughout your case, we advocate aggressively for your best interests. We ensure that your rights are preserved and that you receive the full protections you’re entitled to under the law. In negotiations, we make strategic, evidence-based arguments in your favor. With a powerful courtroom presence, we’re prepared to present a compelling case for you at trial.

As we guide you through all legal proceedings, our focus is on achieving the most favorable outcome possible in all matters—from preventing self-incrimination in interactions with law enforcement and securing your freedom through bail hearings to fighting for you in court or advocating for leniency in sentencing hearings.

Why Choose BD Law as Your West Palm Beach Solicitation Lawyer?

For a West Palm Beach solicitation lawyer you can depend on, choose BD Law. Our firm is known throughout South Florida for our respected reputation, legal experience, and compassionate approach to representing clients accused of solicitation or prosecution.

The Benefits of Counsel With a Respected Reputation in South Florida’s Legal Community

When you’re facing charges of prostitution or soliciting a prostitute, it can make you feel like your reputation is under attack. Having highly respected legal counsel on your side can help you put up a strong defense in the courtroom or give you a strategic advantage in negotiations. Through the strong relationships attorney Brandon Dinetz has developed with opposing counsel, law enforcement, and judges in West Palm Beach and beyond, he has earned considerable respect among South Florida’s legal community.

The Experienced Guidance Your Case Demands

You need your defense in the hands of an experienced attorney. Brandon Dinetz has the benefit of serving on both sides of the courtroom as a former Assistant State Attorney at the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and an effective criminal defense lawyer. With firsthand knowledge of how the state approaches these cases from working as a former prosecutor and a proven record of success in practicing criminal defense law, he has the nuanced understanding of the legal system you need to build a strong defense strategy.

Empathic Representation Focused on Minimizing the Impact of Criminal Charges

Charges of prostitution or solicitation can leave you feeling isolated and afraid for the future. It’s not only that the criminal case against you threatens your freedom. With the stigma that accompanies such charges, you can feel like the world is against you—but you don’t have to face this legal trouble alone. Our team recognizes that these charges can be complicated, and that you deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion throughout the legal process. We’re on your side, prepared to help you fight for the most favorable outcome possible.

Contact a West Palm Beach Solicitation Lawyer at BD Law Today for a Free Consultation

Prostitution and solicitation charges could send you to prison and leave you with the challenge of carrying a permanent criminal record. The steps you take right now affect your ability to put up a strong, strategic defense against these charges and the consequences of a conviction.

For help from a prostitution defense attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, contact BD Law online or call 561-778-5213 today.