In Minnesota, soliciting prostitutes is a criminal offense. Under Minnesota Statutes §609-324, it’s illegal for any person to attempt to hire a person over 18 years of age for sexual intercourse or contact.
Getting accused or arrested for soliciting prostitution can result in serious criminal charges. It can harm personal relationships, cause shame, and pose significant threats to the defendant’s future. For anyone facing such allegations, working with an experienced and qualified defense attorney is crucial. With the support, guidance, and expertise of an attorney, the defendant can mitigate the potential consequences of this criminal charge.
What is Solicitation?
As mentioned above, solicitation of a prostitute refers to the act of attempting to hire a person who’s over the age of 18 for sexual intercourse or contact. Solicitation does not require the completion of a sexual act for a criminal charge or conviction. Under Minnesota law, as long as the defendant offered something of value in exchange for sexual favors, they may be charged with solicitation.
If the person solicited was a minor, the state classifies it as a felony offense. If the act happened in a public place, the law considers it a more serious offense than solicitation in private places. For anyone who’s facing solicitation charges, it’s best to talk to a capable Minnesota prostitution defense lawyer who can help them understand the charges being brought against them.
What are the penalties for solicitation?
The law attributes different penalties for people convicted of solicitation depending on several factors such as the age of the person being solicited, the location of the act, and whether the defendant had any prior convictions.
There are three possible penalties:
- Misdemeanor-Level Solicitation Offenses: Base-level solicitation carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail plus a $1,000 fine.
- Gross Misdemeanor-Level Solicitation Offenses: If the solicitation occurs in a public place, the act may be considered a gross misdemeanor. The maximum sentence is 365 days in jail plus a $3,000 fine.
- Felony-Level Solicitation Offenses: If the person being solicited is a minor, the crime’s severity increases as the child’s age decreases.
- If the child is under the age of 13, the maximum sentence is 20 years in prison plus a $40,000 fine.
- If the child is under the age of 16 years, but at least 13 years old, the maximum sentence is 10 years in prison plus a $20,000 fine.
- If the child is below the age of 18 but at least 16 years old, the maximum sentence is five years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.
- If the defendant is a repeat offender for gross misdemeanor-level solicitation or is a repeat offender for solicitation and the act took place in a park or school, the offense can also be considered as a felony.
What are the consequences of a solicitation conviction?
Here are some of the possible consequences of getting convicted for solicitation:
- Loss of the right to vote
- Suspension or loss of a professional license
- Difficulty finding meaningful employment
- Reduced educational opportunities
- Fewer housing options
- Permanent record of conviction will be attached to one’s driving record, which will be made available during routine background checks
- Forfeiture of any personal property—including cash, computer, or cell phone—that was possessed or used during the commission of the offense
- Forfeiture of motor vehicle, if it was used in the commission of the offense
Reputational damage is another possible consequence, especially if the jurisdiction chooses to publish the offender’s name on the police website or in the local paper.
Contact Attorney Jeff Dean Today
Solicitation allegations can threaten your future. Remember, getting arrested for solicitation doesn’t mean that you’re guilty, so you need to protect your rights. Seek legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible if you’re facing solicitation charges. Your lawyer will help you craft the best defense possible for your case.
We can help. Attorney Jeff Dean has years of experience aggressively fighting for the rights of our clients charged with solicitation. Here you can see Jeff Dean on camera interviewed by a news channel about a big precedent setting case he won in the Court of Appeals. This case is cited by judges throughout the United States.
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To protect your rights, call Jeff Dean today at (612) 305-4360 or contact us online for a free and confidential case evaluation.
