Accused of Solicitation in Southern California?
If you’re facing solicitation charges in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, or Los Angeles County, you don’t have a moment to waste. A solicitation conviction can tarnish your reputation, negatively impact your career, and leave you with a criminal record that will follow you around for the rest of your life.
That’s why you need the help of Alan Spears. With five decades of experience representing people on solicitation charges, he’s uniquely positioned to deliver the defense you need to have the charges dropped or reduced. He understands that California law (Penal Code Section 647(b)) makes solicitation a crime – whether or not a sexual act ever takes place. And he understands the dire consequences of subsequent solicitation convictions.
It’s important to remember that the prosecutor only has to prove one thing to obtain a conviction: that you intended to engage a prostitute. The person you’re accused of soliciting doesn’t actually have to be a prostitute. The thing of value you’re offering in exchange doesn’t have to be money. In fact, no transaction even has to occur.
If you’ve been arrested for soliciting, you’re facing a misdemeanor charge. That may seem inconsequential, but a first conviction can still result in up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Because solicitation is a “priorable” offense in California, later convictions have increasingly serious consequences. A second prostitution conviction carries a minimum sentence of 45 days in jail. For a third or subsequent conviction, you face a minimum 90-day jail sentence. If the incident occurred while you were in your car, your driver’s license may be suspended. Alternately, you may have your license restricted for six months, meaning you can only drive to work or school. Depending on the local ordinance, your car may even be seized.
Alan Spears will use reliable solicitation defense strategies to protect your freedom. For example, he may argue that:
- The police entrapped you
- The prosecutor doesn’t have evidence of the crime
- You didn’t intend to engage in a sexual act
You do not want a solicitation conviction on your record. You definitely do not want to spend time in jail. Solicitation defense attorney Alan Spears will work to:
- Undermine the prosecutor’s case, so that the charges are dropped; or
- Work to have the charges reduced to a different misdemeanor, like disturbing the peace or lewd conduct, which isn’t a priorable offense; and
- Convince the prosecutor and judge to agree to probation in lieu of jail time
If you’ve been charged with solicitation, the time to act is now. Call Southern California solicitation defense lawyer Alan Spears right now 951-400-4574 for a free, confidential consultation.
