Prostitution
Prostitution Charge Lawyer in Houston
Arrests on charges of “prostitution” and “solicitation for prostitution” account for a significant portion of all arrests for sexually-oriented crimes in the Houston/Harris County area. In addition to the initial social embarrassment caused by such an arrest, if you are convicted of prostitution or solicitation you face:
- A sentence that could include incarceration for up to 2 years
- A heavy fine
- A combination of jail time and fine
Furthermore, such a conviction will also establish a criminal record that will be maintained by the State of Texas for the rest of your life.
In view of the heavy penalties that can be imposed for prostitution and/or solicitation, even for a first-time conviction, if you have been arrested on a prostitution/solicitation charge you should immediately contact a criminal defense lawyer in order to aggressively protect your constitutional rights as a citizen. Brett Podolsky represents clients all around the Greater Houston area and has a successful track record of defending prostitution cases.
Prostitution and Penalties for Conviction
All Texas laws regarding prostitution and prostitution-related offenses are based on definitions given in Section 43.02 of the Texas Penal Code, where “prostitution” is defined as knowingly offering to engage, agreeing to engage, or engaging in sexual conduct for money and “solicitation” is to knowingly solicit or attempt to recruit, in a public place, another person to engage in an act of prostitution.
Conviction on a charge of prostitution or solicitation is generally punished after a review of the individual’s criminal record:
- First Offense: Class B misdemeanor, which can lead to not more than 180 days in jail, a fine up to $2,000, or a combination of fine and jail time. Registration as a sex offender with the State of Texas can also be ordered.
- Second or Third Offense: Class A misdemeanor, which can result in up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or some combination of fine and jail time.
- Fourth and Subsequent Offenses: State Jail Felony, which can result in from 180 days to 2 years incarceration, a fine up to $10,000, or combination of fine and jail time.
Defending Prostitution Cases
Being placed under arrest is often a time of great psychological stress. During such times it is common that the police and/or the state’s attorney will exploit this stress to elevate what had been a simple misunderstanding into a criminal offense, even to the point of misrepresenting the facts in your case or attempting to turn your own words or statements against you. Sadly, such abuses are all too common in prostitution or solicitation arrests and prosecutions.
Contact Attorney Brett Podolsky
Criminal defense lawyer Brett Podolsky, a former assistant state attorney, is well-aware how such tactics can be employed to force an admission of guilt in an otherwise weak case. Mr. Podolsky uses his 15 years of experience in the practice of criminal law to personally review the facts in your case and determine if the state has met its constitutional obligations to bring and prosecute such charges. In addition, Brett Podolsky will be at your side throughout the entire judicial process to advise you of your legal rights and to protect you against an unjust conviction.
To begin your aggressive defense against a charge of prostitution or solicitation, you should immediately contact criminal defense lawyer Brett Podolsky by calling his law office at 713-227-0087 to arrange for a free initial consultation regarding your case.
