Bridgeport Solicitation Lawyer

Being accused of paying someone else for sex or attempting to do so can lead to criminal charges on top of damaging your personal and professional reputation. If you are accused of soliciting sex from someone under 18, those consequences could include a permanent felony record as well as years in state prison.

No matter what type of solicitation offense you face, guidance from the legal team at Ruane Attorneys can be crucial to protecting your best interests. Once hired, your Bridgeport solicitation lawyer could tirelessly advocate on your behalf, ensure your rights are respected, and work to build a strong defense.

How State Law Addresses Solicitation

Connecticut General Statutes §53a-83 outlines the offense of solicitation, or “patronizing a prostitute,” as any of the following actions:

• Providing compensation to another person after engaging in sexual conduct based on a prior agreement to do so
• Agreeing to provide compensation in exchange for expected sexual services
• Requesting sexual services from someone in exchange for compensation

“Compensation” can be anything of value, including money, goods, other non-sexual services, or personal favors. It is important to note that the requested sexual services do not actually have to be provided for a defendant to be convicted on solicitation charges. Even if there is never an affirmative response or agreement to provide sexual services from the person being solicited, the person who initiated the encounter and made the offer may still face charges.

Penalties for Patronizing a Prostitute

Patronizing a prostitute in Connecticut is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $2,000 fine. Additionally, a court may impose a jail term of up to one year. To avoid these penalties, it is crucial for those accused of solicitation in Bridgeport to seek legal counsel from a nearby attorney.

Felony Solicitation of a Minor in Bridgeport

Notably, C.G.S. §53a-83 only covers solicitation of individuals 18 years of age or older. Anyone who provides compensation in exchange for sexual services from a minor or who attempts to solicit sex from a minor or someone they reasonably believe to be a minor may face charges for commercial sexual abuse of a minor as defined by C.G.S. §53a-83b.

This offense is substantially more severe than patronizing a prostitute, requiring representation from a solicitation lawyer at our firm. In most situations, it is a class B felony, which means a conviction for a first-time offender could allow for up to 20 years of imprisonment and a $15,000 fine. If the minor involved is under 15 years old, this offense becomes a class A felony punishable by 10 to 25 years in state prison.

Seek Assistance from a Bridgeport Solicitation Attorney

Soliciting sex in exchange for financial compensation or anything else valuable can result in life-altering criminal sanctions as well as significant reputational harm. You have the right to work with a Bridgeport solicitation lawyer and contest the charges against you.

Support from the team at Ruane Attorneys could make all the difference in the outcome of your case and your ability to protect your best interests. Call today to learn more and set up a consultation.