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Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers > Dunwoody Solicitation Lawyer

Dunwoody Solicitation Lawyer

Soliciting a prostitute, also known as pandering in Georgia, is considered a criminal act that is taken very seriously as a sex crime by prosecutors around the state. Solicitation is one of the most complex criminal laws in the state, and it is easy for law enforcement to confuse an innocent conversation for solicitation in certain circumstances. If you or someone you know has been accused of soliciting a prostitute in the Georgia, you need an experienced Dunwoody solicitation lawyer by your side. Call or contact Hawkins Spizman in Dunwoody today to schedule a free consultation.

What is Solicitation?

Solicitation, or pandering, is defined by Georgia law as soliciting a person to perform an act of prostitution on their behalf or behalf of a third party, or if a person assembles others at a fixed location to be solicited by others for prostitution. Pandering includes both the act of soliciting a prostitute for yourself, others, and facilitating the hiring of a prostitute. Depending on the facts of the case, the penalties for solicitation can be severe.

Solicitation is normally charged as an aggravated misdemeanor offense, with penalties that include up to one year in jail, thousands of dollars in fines, mandatory sex offender registration, and community service. Penalties are increased if the pandering took place within 1,000 feet of a school, place of worship, or playground. However, the consequences are most severe when the alleged solicitation occurred with a minor, which is a felony offense. Conviction for soliciting a minor includes a prison sentence between five and thirty years along with fines up to $100,000 depending on their age.

Defenses to Solicitation Accusations

Because solicitation charges are often based simply on a conversation between two people, it is easy for misunderstandings to occur. Thankfully, there are legal defenses available for people accused of soliciting a prostitute. The first defense is entrapment, which is available when police engage in a strong operation and take things too far. If a police officer unduly influences a person into committing illegal acts they would otherwise not engage in, such as pandering a prostitute, that is a legal defense in court.

Another defense to solicitation is actual innocence, when the conversation never involved the soliciting of a sexual act in exchange for something of value. Finally, the prosecution must prove solicitation beyond a reasonable doubt, so a final defense is a lack of evidence or improper gathering of evidence by the state in the case. To learn more about your legal options after allegations of solicitation, talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney today.

Talk to Our Office Now

At the law office of Hawkins Spizman in Dunwoody, our team of knowledgeable Georgia criminal defense attorneys is prepared to provide exceptional defense for any accusations of solicitation or pandering made against you or a loved one. Call the office or contact the office today to schedule a free consultation of your criminal case with one of our attorneys now.

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