Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney Judith Samson – Solicitation & Prostitution Charges

If you have been charged with solicitation of prostitution, Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney, Judith Samson, can help.

Being arrested and charged with prostitution can not only be embarrassing, but it can have a significant impact on your career and your future. Solicitation of prostitution is a serious crime.

By contacting Judith Samson, an experienced Minnesota Solicitation of Prostitution Attorney has handled these types of charges. By contacting early in the process, she may uncover mitigating circumstances that could reduce or dismiss those charges.

Solicitation of prostitution/sex trafficking

Solicitation for prostitution is the act of requesting another person to perform sexual acts for a fee.

Promoting prostitution is solicitation or procurement for customers for a prostitute’s services, managing, providing, or owning, a location for purposes of prostitution, allowing customers to enter into the place of prostitution or transporting a person to prostitute them.

• If you have been engaged in any of the following, you may be charged with Sex Trafficking for Solicitation in the First Degree: MN 609.321
  1. Inducing or soliciting a person under 18 years of age to practice prostitution
  2. Fostering the prostitution of a person under the age of 18 years
  3. Receive profit either knowingly or having reason to know that it was derived from the promotion of or the prostitution of an individual under the age of 18 years
  4. If you are engaged in the sex trafficking of an individual under the age of 18 years.

               EXCEPTIONS: #3 does not apply if:

• A minor dependent of any person acting as a prostitute who may be or has been supported by the person’s earnings from prostitution; or
• Parents over 55 years of who are dependent on a person acting as a prostitute, and who has been, is being, supported by the person’s earnings from prostitution, (and who did not know that the earning were from prostitution; or
• Goods or services are sold to a prostitute through a lawful business

• If you have been engaged in any of the following, i.e., solicitation, promotion of prostitution, or inducement for prostitution, you may be charged with Sex Trafficking in the Second Degree: MN 609.321 

1. Inducing or soliciting a person 18 year and older to perform prostitution
2. Fostering the prostitution of a person 18 year and older; or
3. Receive profit either knowingly or having reason to know that it was derived from the promotion of the prostitution for any person 18 years or older; or
4. If you are engaged in the sex trafficking of individual(s) 18 year or older
5. If you allow an unrelated person under the age of 18 to live with you, (without the parents’ consent), knowing that the individual is engaging in prostitution
6. If you hire a minor under the age of 18 to intentionally engage in prostitution or offering to hire a minor under the age of 18 to engage in sexual acts

 EXCEPTIONS: #3 does not apply if:

• A minor dependent of any person acting as a prostitute who may be or has been supported by the person’s earnings from prostitution; or
• Parents over 55 years of who are dependent on a person acting as a prostitute, and who has been, is being, supported by the person’s earnings from prostitution, (and who did not know that the earning were from prostitution; or
• Goods or services are sold to a prostitute through a lawful business

Other factors may also be considered; one of the most significant is intent. Proof of intent to participate in this criminal activity is crucial to validating the charges. Physical contact with the person performing the prostitution is not necessary-observing can also be charged with solicitation.

Note: if an undercover agent is engaged in a Sting Operation and solicits a prostitute for the purposes of the undercover investigation, they cannot be charged with Solicitation for Prostitution.

Aggregation

If you have previously (within any 6-month period) violated any of the provisions in this section, the cases may be aggregated to charge you properly. If the earlier violations occurred in different counties, you might be prosecuted in any of the counties involved.

What defenses are available?

Consensual act of sex, not for a fee, is one of the primary defenses to solicitation for prostitution. However, if there is any evidence of any written communication, i.e., text messages, that explicitly suggest otherwise, this defense is weakened. Judith Samson, a skillful Criminal Defense Lawyer, will collaborate with you to develop the most strategic approach and defense.

What happens if you are convicted?

• If you are convicted of the First-degree solicitation (or soliciting sex with a minor), you may be sentenced up to a max of 25 years imprisonment and/or a $60,000 fine.
• If you are convicted of Second-degree solicitation (or soliciting sex with an adult), you may be sentenced up to a max of 15 years imprisonment and/or a $40,000 fine.

Typically, first-time offenders will not receive the maximum sentence or fine; however, there may be aggravating factors that may be considered during the sentencing phase, such as:

Aggravating Factors for First Degree Solicitation:

• The victim incurred bodily harm during the offense
• A previous human trafficking-related offense
• The individual was subjected to bondage or forced labor
• More than one victim is involved

Aggravating Factors for Second Degree Solicitation

• “Pimping” or promoting the prostitution of an individual
• Receiving profit from that prostitution
• Engaging in sex trafficking of an individuals

Make sure you have the representation of a skilled Solicitation of Prostitution Attorney before you speak with a detective or prosecutor—contact the law office of Judith Samson. A solicitation conviction could affect employment, relationships, and even your financial life.

If you have been charged with solicitation for prostitution, please contact us for a consultation today. Judith is available 24/7 to assist you with your situation and will advocate for the best outcome.

Judith Samson not only has over 20 years of litigation experience in this and other areas of law, she understands what it takes to provide you the most formidable and effective defense … in both misdemeanor and felony cases.

She has represented over 7,000 clients like you in all areas of law, including:

Sex Offender Registry

Assault – First degree, (second degree, etc.)

Probation Violation

Violation of an OFP

…and more.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.