Cayce Solicitation Lawyer

Arrests in Cayce for solicitation and other criminal offenses linked to prostitution are often made in the course of a large-scale sting operation. Because of this, sometimes individuals are arrested without proper cause due to their location. In other instances, police entrapment may be to blame. Regardless of the reason, a solicitation charge can lead to serious consequences, particularly in an age where information is electronically accessible to anyone.

If you are facing charges in connection with prostitution, do not hesitate to consult with a Cayce solicitation lawyer who can explain your options for fighting the charges. Read on to learn more about how a professional defense attorney could work to make a difference in your case today.

What Is Solicitation?

South Carolina laws prohibit individuals from either paying others for sexual acts or offering to perform sexual acts for money. A number of other actions are also made illegal if they have any connection with a situation involving payment for sex. Solicitation is the act of urging somebody to do something, and criminal solicitation occurs when someone urges another to undertake an illegal act.

In connection with prostitution, solicitation consists of offering to pay for sex or offering sex in exchange for payment. It is not necessary for that act to be performed at all in order for someone to receive a solicitation conviction. For this reason, it is significant to retain the services of a skilled defense attorney as soon as possible when solicitation charges.

Penalties for Solicitation and Related Offenses

The penalties applicable to crimes related to prostitution or the involvement of a minor, such as soliciting sexual acts for money, will vary depending on a number of factors. If it is the first offense, the penalties are less severe. However, if a minor under the age of 18 is involved, the consequences can be very serious. Solicitation of a minor is a felony offense and those convicted may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

For someone found in violation of the South Carolina prostitution laws for the first time, the court may impose a sentence of up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $200. If, however, that individual has been convicted of such an offense previously, then the penalties can include a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months of imprisonment. Third and successive violations can lead to prison terms of up to one year plus fines as high as $3,000.

Entrapment as a Defense

If proven, entrapment provides a complete defense to prostitution, solicitation and many other crimes. However, there are two elements that must be demonstrated as part of this defense. First, it must be shown that the individual charged with the crime was not already predisposed to commit that crime. Second, it must be proven that agents of the government (such as police) induced that individual to commit the crime. A clear example would be a situation where an undercover officer stops a pedestrian on the sidewalk and offers sex in exchange for payment.

Work with an Experienced Cayce Solicitation Lawyer

Episodes that could be considered police entrapment are often subtle. A Cayce solicitation lawyer with extensive experience handling these cases has seen how courts rule in different circumstances and will be able to evaluate a defense strategy that would best suit your case. If you are facing charges involving solicitation or other crimes connected with prostitution, it is wise to speak with a Cayce solicitation lawyer as soon as possible to begin working toward the ideal resolution.