Orlando Sex Crimes Lawyer

What Happens If You're Caught Soliciting Prostitution in a Sting Operation

If you're caught soliciting prostitution in a sting operation in Orlando, the consequences can be severe and far-reaching. Law enforcement agencies often conduct sting operations to catch individuals engaging in illegal activities, including soliciting prostitution. These operations are carefully planned, and officers may pose as prostitutes or clients to apprehend those involved.

When you're caught in such a sting, the first thing you'll likely face is an arrest. You may be taken into custody, booked, and charged with solicitation of prostitution. In Florida, solicitation is a serious offense that can result in criminal charges, even if no money was exchanged and no sexual activity occurred.

The penalties for a solicitation charge can vary depending on the circumstances. For a first-time offense, you might face misdemeanor charges, which could lead to fines, community service, mandatory attendance in an educational program, or even jail time. If you have prior convictions, the penalties can be much more severe, including felony charges, higher fines, and longer jail sentences.

Beyond the immediate legal consequences, a conviction for solicitation of prostitution can have lasting effects on your life. It can lead to a permanent criminal record, which may impact your employment opportunities, professional licenses, and reputation. Additionally, if you're a non-citizen, a conviction could have immigration consequences, including deportation.

It's crucial to seek legal representation as soon as possible if you're caught in a sting operation. An experienced Orlando sex crimes defense lawyer can help you understand your rights, explore potential defenses, and work to mitigate the impact of the charges against you. With the right legal strategy, it may be possible to reduce or dismiss the charges, protecting your future and reputation.

Ways to Beat a Sex Crimes Charge in Court

The strategy we recommend will always be based on the specific situation. One advantage Attorney Mills has is his extensive experience in the courtroom itself. While there are some situations where defendants may be best served by plea bargaining (the exchange of a guilty plea for lesser charges), it’s important to know that we’re ready to go all the way to court when that’s in the best interests of our client, and we know what we’re doing when we get there. 

These are just a few of the options available for defending against sex crime allegations in front of a jury: 

• The consent defense: If the alleged victim was of age, of sound mental capacity, and gave consent, then there is no crime. What’s more, it is the prosecution’s job to show that consent was lacking. The defendant is innocent until proven otherwise. 
• The alibi defense: Can we substantiate that the defendant was somewhere else at the time the alleged crime was committed? If so, that can be a powerful defense. 
• Witness testimony: This involves everything from bringing forth character witnesses on behalf of the defendant to finding inconsistencies in the testimony of the prosecution’s witnesses. 
• Violation of rights: Any violations of the defendant’s constitutional rights during the investigation or arrest process might lead to the dismissal of charges—or, at the very least, the suppression of evidence that was illegally obtained by authorities. 

Before starting as a defense lawyer, Attorney Mills was a prosecutor. He knows from experience the challenge that the District Attorney’s office faces and he knows how to find their mistakes and leverage them on behalf of his clients. 

Contact our Orlando sex crimes attorney today by calling (321) 475-0928.