Call today at: Home Β» Fresno Sex Crimes Attorney. If you or a loved one has been charged with prostitution or solicitation, contact an experienced and knowledgeable Fresno solicitation for prostitution attorney from Michael McKneely, Criminal Defense Lawyer at for a free consultation.
With over 15 years of experience defending people against prostitution and solicitation charges, Mike will do everything in his power to reach the best possible outcome for your case. California Penal Code b makes it illegal to solicit or perform a sexual act for money or other consideration. Vagueness about what is or is not included as a sexual act can be an effective ground for a defense. Usually, there must be an agreement to trade something of value for the sexual act, and then another action must be taken to further this agreement.
Police interpret agreeing on a price or leaving for another destination, like a room, as the act in furtherance required by the law. If the agreement to exchange money or something of value occurs after the sex act, a jury could still conclude that the act was an act of prostitution.
Seeking to hire another for sex, or soliciting someone, is punished just as harshly as prostitution, and the elements of proof required for conviction are almost identical.
Examples of solicitation include:. The state and certain communities have also enacted additional laws that punish the act of loitering for the purposes of prostitution. If a person is present in an area known for prostitution and appears to have no legitimate business at the location, and is, in fact, attempting to draw the attention of passerby in a lewd manner, a case for prostitution can be made under city municipal codes or Penal Code section A prostitution or solicitation conviction can include up to 6 months in the county jail and large fines and fees.
