Quantico Solicitation Lawyer
Solicitation is the act of offering another person something of value in exchange for a sexual favor and is often related to prostitution. In other words, prostitution is sex for money, while solicitation is the request for sex. If police have accused you of soliciting sexual favors, you should reach out to a qualified criminal defense attorney.
You do not need to build a defense on your own, instead you should consider retaining legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected during court proceedings. A Quantico solicitation lawyer could help you defend against embarrassing allegations, possible jail time, and other serious consequences.
Solicitation Charges in Quantico
There are several laws related to solicitation in the Code of Virginia, none of which require sex to occur in order to charge someone. Simply asking for sex in exchange for something else could constitute criminal charges.
Virginia Code §18.2-346 defines offering money or something else of value in exchange for a sexual act as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The courts could punish an offender with up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines. In some instances, if a person engages in solicitation on the internet and makes a plan to meet someone to carry out their unlawful transaction, the police might interpret that as precursor to prostitution.
Solicitation of a Minor
A person who requests sexual favors from a minor could be charged with a felony. Solicitation of a minor who is at least 16 years old may constitute a Class 6 felony. Soliciting sex from a child younger than 16 could lead to a Class 5 felony. Even if the other person lied about their age, the solicitor could still face felony charges.
Behaviors Associated with Solicitation
Any action or set of circumstances which law enforcement could interpret as a precursor to prostitution could lead to solicitation charges. For example, driving around with a prostitute as a passenger could constitute criminal charges because police would likely assume that the driver is on his or her way to engage in solicited sexual acts. Using a car to promote the exchange of sex for money violates VA Code §18.2-349.
Additionally, VA Code §18.2-347 states that a person may not visit, live in, or own a building or structure that other people use for meeting prostitutes, engaging in compensated sex, or other lewd acts. Even if the accused party was not aware of the place’s reputation, the police may still bring them to jail.
Enlist the Help of a Quantico Solicitation Attorney Today
If the police have accused you of soliciting sex because of a mistake or misunderstanding, speak with an attorney to learn what you could do about it. There are many defenses you could rely on to protect your rights and your freedom.
Every situation is unique, so you should speak with a Quantico solicitation lawyer to get their advice on how to improve your situation. Learn more about how to approach your charges in a way that promotes the best possible outcome by calling an experienced law firm today.
