New River Solicitation Lawyer

Arizona law is clear about prohibiting state residents from engaging in prostitution. However, it is less explicit when it comes to criminalizing the act of soliciting sexual services from someone else in exchange for compensation. Due to the lack of clarity under state law, most cities and municipalities prohibit this behavior at the local level.

Because of this, the legal proceedings and potential sanctions associated with a solicitation charge can vary significantly from case to case. It can be challenging to navigate those differences without help from a seasoned defense attorney. By working with a New River solicitation lawyer at Grand Canyon Law Group, you can give yourself the best chances of securing a favorable case outcome and preserving your future prospects.

Sexual Solicitation Laws in New River

Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3214 criminalizes the act of knowingly engaging in prostitution. However, the closest that state law comes to explicitly prohibiting solicitation is A.R.S. §13-3209. This statute defines “pandering”—inducing, encouraging, or compelling someone in any way to engage in prostitution—as a class 5 felony.

However, this charge is generally applied only in situations where the defendant would benefit financially from the sale of sexual services by the third party they are engaged with, rather than situations where someone attempts to pay or successfully pays for sexual services themselves.

Instead, Phoenix City Code §23-52 covers solicitation offenses in and around New River, as a knowledgeable attorney at our firm can explain in more detail. This law defines both prostitution and solicitation as class 1 misdemeanor offenses.

Penalties for Solicitation Charges

A first conviction for solicitation may be penalized by a maximum $2,500 fine, mandatory completion of a court-ordered treatment or education program, and a minimum 15-day jail term. A second conviction for solicitation carries a minimum 30-day jail term and a mandatory $2,000 payment into the state’s human trafficking prevention fund, in addition to the other sanctions. Third convictions expand the minimum jail time to 60 consecutive days and the human trafficking prevention fund payment to $2,250. Fourth and subsequent convictions increase the time behind bars to a minimum of 180 days, plus a $2,500 minimum payment to the fund.

Contesting Allegations of Criminal Solicitation

Successful defense strategies for solicitation charges generally involve proving the absence of one or more core elements of the underlying offense. Criminal solicitation involves the following elements:

• An offer of money or something of value
• An understanding that the payment would be in return for future sexual services or such services already provided
• At least one meaningful step towards completing the transaction

If any of those components do not apply to a particular situation, a criminal case cannot move forward.

There are also some situations where law enforcement officers “entrap” individuals into soliciting sexual services, which they would not have done without the police’s interference. Guidance from a seasoned New River lawyer can be essential to effectively fight accusations of solicitation under these circumstances.

Let a New River Solicitation Attorney Advocate for You

Allegations that you solicited sex from a prostitute can have resounding effects on your personal and professional life. If your case ends with a conviction in criminal court, the consequences you may face include steep financial penalties and possibly even jail time.

In these situations, you need assistance from a New River solicitation lawyer at Grand Canyon Law Group. Our former prosecutors, now dedicated defense attorneys, know how to contest the charges against you and protect your rights. Call our firm today to learn more.