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One of the most common forms of solicitation involves prostitution or the exchange of sexual acts for money or something of value. As the consequences of a solicitation conviction can be severe, contacting a Fort Oglethorpe solicitation lawyer for advice may be wise.
You can face criminal charges for solicitation, even if the underlying crime of prostitution never occurs. As a result, consulting a criminal lawyer could be essential to defend yourself against solicitation charges successfully.
State law refers to the solicitation of prostitution as the criminal offense of pandering. O.C.G.A. §16-6-12 defines pandering as the solicitation of others to perform acts of prostitution, whether for the benefit of the actor or others. Individuals also may commit pandering when they intentionally assemble people at a specific place to be solicited by others for prostitution.
O.C.G.A. §16-6-15 provides for a separate offense of solicitation involving sodomy. Soliciting others to perform or submit to acts of sodomy in exchange for money or something else of value is a crime under this section. As the charges for either type of solicitation can be severe, consulting a solicitation lawyer in Fort Oglethorpe may be wise.
Although solicitation of prostitution is a misdemeanor offense, it is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, according to O.C.G.A. §16-6-13. A conviction for solicitation of prostitution can result in up to one year of incarceration, as well as a $5,000 fine. However, the sentencing judge can stay or suspend the prison sentence in favor of probation, except for a 72-hour period of incarceration that individuals must serve.
A second or subsequent conviction for solicitation of prostitution is a felony charge. As a result, the results of a conviction can be extremely harsh, including a prison sentence ranging from one to ten years.
As a solicitation attorney in Fort Oglethorpe may advise, aggravating factors can also increase the potential penalties for this offense. For instance, if the solicitation offense involves a person who is under the age of 18, the crime is a felony that carries the potential for ten to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Aside from sentences of incarceration and fines, individuals convicted of solicitation can face other unwanted and unanticipated consequences. For instance, law enforcement authorities will publish the names, addresses, photographs, and criminal charges of those convicted of solicitation. Under O.C.G.A. § 16-6-13.1, these individuals also will be subject to testing for sexually transmitted diseases, and results will be released to their spouses.
Furthermore, O.C.G.A. § 16-6-13.2 allows for the civil forfeiture of any motor vehicle that individuals use to carry out solicitation of prostitution and related offenses. Likewise, law enforcement authorities can seize any other property used in the crime as contraband and subject them to the civil forfeiture process, according to O.C.G.A. § 16-6-13.3.
A conviction for felony solicitation creates a permanent criminal record that can be a barrier to career advancement in the future. A felony conviction also typically results in the loss of some federal rights, including the right to carry firearms. Given the potential severity of these outcomes, individuals likely can benefit from the advice of legal counsel.
Whether you believe that you are guilty of a crime or a victim of unfounded charges, allowing a Fort Oglethorpe solicitation lawyer to advise you may be your best strategy. Building a strong defense from the outset of your case can be crucial to a favorable outcome. As a result, you should not hesitate to contact legal counsel as soon as you become aware of the charges that you are facing.