Solicitation of Prostitution in Florida
Solicitation of Prostitution is committed when a person solicits another person to engage in prostitution.
Once relegated to the shadows of seedy sections of Central Florida, solicitation of prostitution has become increasingly common due to ease with which “escorts” and sex workers can be found on the internet.
As a result, law enforcement has intensified their efforts to arrest and prosecute those who hire other people for sex.
Definition of Solicitation of Prostitution
Under Florida Statute 796.07(2)(f), the crime of Solicitation of Prostitution is committed when a person solicits, induces, entices, or procures another person to engage in prostitution, lewdness, or assignation.
Penalties for Solicitation of Prostitution
Every person convicted of Solicitation of Prostitution must complete 100 hours of community service, attend a prostitution and human trafficking awareness course, undergo screening for sexually transmissible diseases, [1] and pay a $5,000 civil fine.
In addition to these mandatory penalties that must be imposed in every case that results in a conviction for Solicitation of Prostitution, a judge can also impose the following penalties based upon whether a person is a first time offender or a repeat offender.
First Offense Solicitation of Prostitution
The crime of First Offense Solicitation of Prostitution is a First Degree Misdemeanor in Florida.
If convicted of First Offense Solicitation of Prostitution, a judge can impose any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to one (1) year in jail.
- Up to one (1) year of probation.
- Up to $1,000 in criminal fines.
Second Offense Solicitation of Prostitution
The crime of Second Offense Solicitation of Prostitution is a Third Degree Felony and is assigned a Level 1 offense severity ranking under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code.
If convicted of Second Offense Solicitation of Prostitution, a judge is required to impose a minimum jail sentence of 10 days in jail and can also impose any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to five (5) years in prison.
- Up to five (5) years of probation.
- Up to $5,000 in criminal fines.
- Up to sixty (60) day impoundment or immobilization of vehicle.
Third Offense Solicitation of Prostitution
The crime of Third Offense Solicitation of Prostitution is a Second Degree Felony and is assigned a Level 1 offense severity ranking under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code.
If convicted of Third Offense Solicitation of Prostitution, a judge is required to impose a minimum jail sentence of 10 days in jail and can also impose any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to fifteen (15) years in prison.
- Up to fifteen (15) years of probation.
- Up to $10,000 in criminal fines.
- Up to sixty (60) day impoundment or immobilization of vehicle.
Defenses to Solicitation of Prostitution
In addition to the general pretrial and trial defenses that can be raised in any criminal case, the primary defense to the crime of Prostitution is to assert the solicitation was not done for hire.
Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby
If you have been arrested or charged with Solicitation of Prostitution in Orlando or the Central Florida area, please contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby today.
The initial consultation is free and I am always available to advise you on the proper course of action that can be taken.