Chicago Criminal Lawyer

Prostitution Solicitation Defense Attorney

If you've been charged with solicitation of a sexual act or solicitation of a prostitute in Chicago, you may find yourself in a very uncomfortable situation wondering what you should do to fight the charge and how it will affect your life. As a Chicago criminal lawyer with extensive experience, I realize that you might be falsely accused of solicitation, or you might simply have made a mistake out of loneliness and curiosity, tempted in a society where media glamorizes casual sex. But whatever the circumstances of your arrest, the charge and a conviction on it can have harsh consequences on your job, your relationships, and your status in the community. You need an experienced Chicago Solicitation Defense Attorney to fight for you.

What is Solicitation of a Prostitute under Illinois Law?

Solicitation of a Sexual Act occurs where a person offers to someone not their spouse money or some other thing of value to perform an act of sexual penetration or touching or fondling of the sexual organs for the purpose of arousal or sexual gratification.

Solicitation of a Prostitute occurs where a person solicits another person for the purpose of prostitution; arranges or offers to arrange a meeting for the purpose of prostitution; or directs another person to a place knowing that such direction is for the purpose of prostitution.

What are the Criminal Penalties for Solicitation in Chicago, Illinois?

Solicitation of a sexual act results in a Class B misdemeanor charge. But soliciting for a prostitute in Illinois is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and as much as $2,500 in monetary fines. If you're charged with soliciting a prostitute under the Chicago city ordinance rather than the state law, the penalty for a first offense might be somewhat less: 20 days to 6 months in jail and a fine between $750 and $1,500.

If you're convicted of a second or subsequent offense, the penalty jumps to a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison. Commission of the offense of solicitation within 1,000 feet of a school also results in a Class 4 felony charge. It's to your advantage to hire an able solicitation defense attorney to fight the charges to keep you from facing felony consequences.

While any criminal conviction can have negative effects on your life and your reputation, a felony conviction carries with it particularly serious consequences. You could find your ability to obtain jobs, loans, housing, and immigration benefits sharply curtailed.

In addition, authorities can impound the vehicle you used when you were arrested for solicitation. You can only get your vehicle back by waiting at least two hours and paying a fee of $2000. If your charges are dismissed or you're acquitted of the offense of solicitation, the city should refund that fee when you present evidence of the dismissal or acquittal if you have requested an administrative hearing

Another unpleasant aspect of your arrest for soliciting a prostitute is possible public exposure. If you're arrested by the Chicago police rather than Cook County law enforcement, you face the prospect of your name, photo, and charge being posted on the police web site for all to see.

You Need an Experienced Chicago Criminal Lawyer to Aggressively Fight the Charge of Solicitation for You

Even a misdemeanor charge can cause public humiliation and irreparable damage to your reputation and career. A conviction on your record can affect the rest of your life. If the conviction is a felony, you'll find your prospects in life drastically reduced.

A knowledgeable and aggressive solicitation defense attorney might be able to win an acquittal in your case or dismissal of the charges against you altogether. But it's crucial that you face up to the charges from the outset and hire a dedicated and experienced Chicago criminal lawyer as soon as possible to vigorously fight for your rights and work to minimize the damage that the arrest causes for you.

You want to fight the charge of solicitation of a prostitute with a strong defense. Pleading guilty to solicitation is something you almost certainly want to avoid if you can. The diligent work of your solicitation defense attorney could help you beat the charge or manage the situation to minimize its damage to your life and reputation.

Chicago Criminal Attorney Fighting Solicitation Charges in Chicago

Chicago criminal lawyer Michael P. Schmiege will fight for your rights. His goal is to apply his extensive legal knowledge and ability as effectively and efficiently as possible to win dismissal of the charges against you and validation of your innocence. Mr. Schmiege will work from the outset to develop a strategic defense to minimize your exposure and mitigate the damage from the solicitation charges to your life, reputation, and career.

Contact Chicago Criminal Lawyer Michael P. Schmiege today for your free and entirely confidential legal consultation.