Boca Raton Solicitation Lawyer

It is illegal in the state of Florida to offer, provide, or facilitate the provision of sexual services in exchange for any form of compensation. Seeking out sexual services in exchange for compensation is also against the law, but state law does not define “solicitation” of prostitution as a distinct criminal offense.

For this reason, it’s more complicated than you might expect to understand exactly how solicitation charges work and how best to fight back against them.

Having help from an expert Boca Raton solicitation lawyer will go a long way toward getting through this type of case as quickly as possible. At Rossen Law Firm, we understand that sometimes bad things happen to good people. Our award-winning defense attorneys are here to fight for your future and ensure that you get the best possible resolution to your case.

How Does State Law Address Solicitation?

Florida addresses the criminal offense of prostitution, as well as a host of related offenses, under Florida Statutes § 796.001 through 796.09. Fla. Most charges for both prostitution and solicitation are pursued under Stat. §796.07, which expressly criminalizes all of the following actions:

• Offering or providing sexual services for money (prostitution)
• Soliciting, requesting, or receiving sexual services in exchange for money (solicitation)
• Scheduling or arranging an act of prostitution on behalf of someone else (assignation)
• Convincing or forcing another person to participate in prostitution
• Operating or owning a place specifically used for prostitution
• As the owner of private property, knowingly allowing other people to use that property for prostitution
• Knowingly receiving financial support from a person who made that money by engaging in or facilitating prostitution

Purchasing sexual services from a prostitute is a second-degree misdemeanor for a first-time offender, a first-degree misdemeanor for a second-time offender, and a third-degree felony for third and subsequent offenses.

However, soliciting, inducing, enticing, or procuring someone to commit prostitution is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first-time offender, with subsequent offenses being punishable as third-degree and eventually as second-degree felonies. Solicitation of a minor for sexual services is usually a second-degree felony, even for first-time offenders in Boca Raton.

Possible Defense Strategies Against a Solicitation Charge

Someone who pays for or solicits sexual services but does not actually receive any such services can still be charged with and convicted of solicitation under Florida state law. Because of that, it is not a valid defense to argue that an alleged offer or exchange of money did not directly result in any sexual contact or intercourse.

Instead, effective defenses against allegations of solicitation typically revolve around showing that there was no actual offer or exchange of compensation in the first place or—in some cases—that law enforcement authorities engaged in “entrapment” by tricking or coercing someone into allegedly soliciting a prostitute when they otherwise would not have on their own. A solicitation lawyer in Boca Raton can look into tailored defense options for your unique case.

Need a Boca Raton Solicitation Attorney?

Depending on exactly what you stand accused of doing with a prostitute and what history you have of similar criminal charges, your solicitation case may look very different from that of another person dealing with the same type of allegation. No matter what, though, the quality of legal counsel you retain will have a huge impact on how your case plays out.

At Rossen Law Firm, we have handled countless sex crime cases across South Florida. We know what the prosecution is looking for, and we are prepared to put up a bulletproof defense on your behalf. To learn more about what we can do for you, call today and set up your strategy session with a Boca Raton solicitation lawyer.