Golden Valley Solicitation Lawyer

Just like it is illegal to offer or provide sexual services in exchange for compensation in Minnesota, it is also against the law to “solicit” sexual services from someone else in exchange for money or something else of value. In fact, people charged with solicitation often face harsher consequences compared to being charged with prostitution, regardless of who allegedly initiated the encounter.

Solicitation cases can be challenging on both legal and personal levels. Getting the best possible outcome may be easier with a skilled defense attorney on your side. When you are fighting a charge of this nature, an experienced Golden Valley solicitation lawyer could help you proactively and effectively.

What Is Solicitation as a Criminal Offense?

While many states refer to the act of hiring a prostitute as “solicitation,” in Minnesota, this term is used to refer to the act of asking or compelling someone to become a sex worker. Someone who simply requests or receives sexual services directly from a person acting as a prostitute is referred to as a “patron”—a distinction that a knowledgeable Golden Valley solicitation attorney could go into more detail about during an initial consultation.

In accordance with Minnesota Revised Statutes § 609.324, someone who hires, agrees to hire, or offers to hire someone over the age of 18 for sex has committed a gross misdemeanor punishable by:

• A maximum of one year in jail
• Possible mandatory community service
• A minimum $1,500 fine up to a maximum of $3,000

These penalties apply regardless of whether any sexual services were actually provided or not. Someone convicted of being a patron of a prostitute over 18 years old less than ten years after previously being convicted of the same offense may be charged with a felony. If convicted, they may be sentenced to up to five years of imprisonment and fined $10,000.

Penalties for Solicitation of a Minor

While solicitation of an adult for sexual services can sometimes be treated as a misdemeanor, soliciting someone under the age of 18—or someone the defendant reasonably believes is under 18—is always a felony. As a well-practiced solicitation lawyer in Golden Valley could affirm, the penalties for someone convicted of this offense get increasingly severe depending on the age of the child involved. Specifically:

• If the minor is between 16 and 18 years old, there is up to five years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine
• When the child is between 14 and 16 years old, the solicitor may receive up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $20,000
• If the minor is under 14 years old, the charges go up to 20 years in prison and a $40,000 fine

A conviction for sexual solicitation of a minor with or without an offer of payment will also result in mandatory sex offender registration for at least 10 years.

Contact a Golden Valley Solicitation Attorney for Help With Your Case

Even if you have no criminal record to speak of, a single conviction—or sometimes even just an allegation—for soliciting a prostitute can wreak havoc on your public reputation and your personal freedom. Fortunately, a legal professional with a track record of achieving successful results from similar cases is available to manage both aspects of your criminal case.

A seasoned Golden Valley solicitation lawyer could explain your rights and offer guidance about the next steps. Call today to schedule a confidential consultation.