For the typical New Yorker, simply being accused of a serious crime can be a nearly traumatic experience. Even after being acquitted or cleared of all suspicion of a crime, people can often be hurt or humiliated by the lasting sting of a criminal accusation. Besides the legal penalties, you could also face other serious consequences. Once your friends, family members and significant other find out about the charges, they may turn their back on you, disgraced or disappointed with your behavior. If your employer finds out about the charges, you may be ostracized in the workplace or looked down upon, and it may even impact your chances at finding another place to work, since the charge will be on your record if convicted.

Anyone accused of any serious crime will need the counsel of a first-class criminal defense attorney.

While it’s not as serious as a charge of murder or child abuse, the charge of soliciting a prostitute is typically one of the most humiliating of criminal charges anyone can face. State law in New York defines soliciting a prostitute as paying someone to engage in sexual conduct, or agreeing to pay someone or a 3rd party to engage in sexual conduct (or to provide someone who will), or merely soliciting or asking someone to engage in sexual conduct for financial compensation, whether offered immediately or merely promised. Historically in our state, a number of other serious crimes have many times been linked to escort services and prostitution operations. Soliciting is never, ever a smart thing to do.

While soliciting a prostitute is by law “only” a Class A misdemeanor in the state of New York, it can nevertheless carry a jail sentence of up to a full year. Of course, whenever a person is charged with a serious crime, his or her first move always should be to seek out the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Particularly when someone is charged with a crime as potentially serious and embarrassing as soliciting a prostitute, a criminal defense lawyer’s guidance and expertise will be invaluable. A good criminal defense attorney will work hard – and knows how – to get your charges reduced or dropped, and he or she will also strive to limit other damages you may suffer as a result of being charged or tried for solicitation.

Other Charges

It’s supposed to be the oldest profession, but in the State of New York, it’s an illegal profession.

The New York Penal Code says that you are guilty of prostitution if you agree or offer “to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee.” The basic prostitution charge is a class B misdemeanor (regardless of your orientation or gender). Those convicted face up to three months in jail and a fine up to $500. That’s only the beginning. A number of other prostitution-related laws apply in New York. If you are charged with prostitution or with patronizing a prostitute on Long Island or anywhere in the New York City area, get legal help and representation immediately. Call an experienced Long Island criminal defense attorney. Other prostitution-related offenses in New York include:

  • Patronizing a prostitute in a school zone, a class A misdemeanor
  • Patronizing a prostitute in the third degree (when the person being patronized is under 17 years of age), a class A misdemeanor
  • Patronizing a prostitute in second degree (when the person being patronized is under 14 years of age), a class E felony
  • Patronizing a prostitute in the first degree when the person being patronized is under 11 years of age), a class D felony
  • Anyone convicted of patronizing prostituted children under the age of 17 is required to register as a sex offender in New York. If you are a teacher, your teaching certificate will be revoked if you are required to register as a sex offender.

Innocent people are often accused of prostitution because they’ve been “entrapped” by police officers or some other misunderstanding has occurred. If you’re accused of prostitution or patronizing, the police still must adhere to legal investigation and arrest procedures, and a prosecutor still must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If you are arrested for prostitution or for patronizing in or around New York City, retain the services of an experienced Long Island criminal defense attorney immediately.

Why You Need An Attorney

It’s something everyone should know if they don’t already know. Anyone accused of a serious crime in the state of New York will need the counsel of a first-class criminal defense attorney. Of course, “serious” is a relative term. If you’ve committed a non-violent crime that hasn’t injured or robbed anyone, compared to murder or rape, it may not be so “serious,” but any crime that’s punishable by fines or time in jail is “serious” in most people’s estimation. 

Especially when anyone is accused of an offense as serious and, for many, as embarrassing as solicitation or prostitution, a criminal defense attorney’s advice and representation is imperative. It’s possible that you had no criminal intent whatever; there may have been a complete misunderstanding, you may have been misidentified, or the story may be a complete fabrication. An experienced Long Island criminal defense attorney can work diligently on your behalf to bring your solicitation case to its best possible conclusion. If you’re charged with solicitation anywhere in New York, make the call immediately.

If you are charged with solicitation or any other prostitution charges in New York, politely tell the police that you are exercising your right to remain silent and that you insist on your right to have an attorney present during any questioning. A good defense lawyer will assess your case, gather evidence, speak to witnesses, ensure that your rights are protected, and fight vigorously for justice on your behalf. Don’t try to act as your own attorney, and do not plead guilty to solicitation. Too much is at stake. Instead, fight the charge with the help of an experienced Long Island criminal defense attorney, and make the call promptly.