Howard County Solicitation Lawyer
Have you been charged with solicitation in Howard County or anywhere else in Maryland? If you have, you need the services of a Howard County solicitation lawyer. An experienced Howard County solicitation attorney will be able to look at the specifics of your case and advocate aggressively on your behalf to keep the consequences you face to a minimum.
The Howard County criminal defense attorneys at our firm understand how sensitive these sorts of charges can be, and they are dedicated to serving clients with the utmost discretion, sensitivity, and compassion. Call our law offices today to schedule your free consultation.
What is Solicitation?
The crime of solicitation in Maryland falls under the heading of Prostitution Crimes. In Maryland, it is a crime for any person to knowingly solicit, offer to solicit, procure, or offer to procure for the purpose of either prostitution or assignation or both.
When broken down in this way, this offense may seem cut and dry, but a Howard County solicitation lawyer can help you understand how it actually applies to your case and will subsequently shape your defense plan. Your attorney will walk you through your account of what happened in an effort to determine if any of the above requirements may not apply to you. During this process, the following definitions may also be referenced:
Prostitution:
The term “prostitution” is defined as any sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse, the performance of which is for hire (Section 11-301(c)).
Assignation:
The term “assignation” is defined as the scheduling of an appointment or meeting for the purpose of prostitution (Section 11-301(b)).
How Howard County Solicitation Lawyer Can Help
A knowledgeable lawyer will know various acts as defined by statue and the nuances and variety of sexual contact, also defined by statute (Section 3-301). We can explain the circumstances of any particular charges you may be facing and assist you in resolving the matter in the best way possible.
Solicitation is no longer just a “street crime.” There are now situations where communications made by way of the internet through chatrooms or other internet communications are interpreted and prosecuted as solicitation. Law enforcement has even resorted to setting up sting operations in attempts to apprehend individuals who are then prosecuted for the crime of solicitation. Experienced Howard County solicitation lawyers know how to defend such charges.
Penalties for Solicitation
The crime of solicitation is treated as a misdemeanor and may be punished by up to one year in jail, as well as a fine of not more than $500 (Section 11-306(b)).
This is exactly the same penalty imposed for prostitution. Maryland law treats the conduct of the buyer and seller of any form of sex equally.
In addition to exposure to fines and potential incarceration there are serious consequences flowing from the criminal record that will result due to misdemeanor conviction that can impact your employment and many other aspects of your life.
Contacting An Experienced Attorney
If you have been charged with solicitation or any other prostitution related crime, consult an experienced Howard County solicitation lawyer as soon as possible. Local counsel can help provide you the with representation you require. Contact us today for a consultation on your case.