Solicitation

Just as it is illegal to sell sexual favors for money, it is just as illegal to buy sex for money. However, Georgia has no crime labeled as “solicitation”. Instead, potential clients of prostitutes are charged with the crime of pandering.

Essentially, the definition remains the same, but a person may be surprised to learn how expansive this law really is and the potential consequences of a conviction.

An experienced attorney represents clients in Georgia’s criminal courts who have been accused of solicitation and pandering. We work to defend not just their freedom, but also their reputation in the community. Contact a Dunwoody solicitation lawyer today.

As mentioned above, solicitation has been re-labeled as pandering. In Georgia Code 16-6-12, pandering is when a person solicits a person to perform an act of prostitution. This can be for their own benefit or the benefit of a third party. For example, a person asking a prostitute to get into their car absolutely qualifies under this definition.

In addition, any person hiring a prostitute to perform for another person is also illegal. In short, any person who offers to pay a prostitute to perform a sexual favor under any circumstances is guilty of pandering. Speak with a Dunwoody solicitation lawyer to learn more.

A conviction for pandering carries many potential penalties to a person’s freedom, finances, and reputation. At its most basic level, a conviction for pandering is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. This means that a person convicted may be sentenced to up to one year in jail and ordered to pay a fine of up to $5,000.00.

When the person who is solicited for hire is between the ages of 16 and under 18, the crime is instead considered a felony according to Georgia Code 16-6-13. This carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison up to a maximum of 20 years.

Additionally, a minimum fine of $2,500 may possibly be imposed. If the subject of the enterprise is less than 16 years old, the minimum prison term increases to 10 years and the maximum rises to 30 years.

In municipal courts like Dunwoody, many times the Solicitor could ask for jail time. These offenses are prosecuted under Dunwoody’s municipal ordinance for prostitution, loitering for sex, and solicitation of a sexual act. The penalty range is six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Contact a Dunwoody solicitation lawyer today to learn more about the potential consequences of a conviction.

In addition to these penalties, any person convicted of pandering could be the subject of an article describing the conviction that is to be published in the local newspaper. This could be done at the cost of the guilty party.

A conviction that results in a suspended sentence or a probation term may also require that the defendant submits to a sexually transmitted disease test; the results of which could be sent to that person’s spouse.

Even worse, the State retains the right to civil forfeiture if the pandering offense took place in a person’s car.

As you can see, the potential consequences for a solicitation or pandering conviction are severe. Not only could you be vulnerable to spending time in jail, but their car may be seized, and their reputation tarnished both at home and in the public eye. For all of these reasons, it is extremely important to fight these charges at every turn.

A Dunwoody solicitation lawyer is available to provide representation to protect the rights of our clients. These cases can be very difficult to prove since many of them rely on circumstantial evidence and unreliable witnesses.

A dedicated attorney fights for our clients at every step of the case from arraignment and pre-trial motions to the final trial date. Take a positive step towards protecting yourself and contact a Dunwoody solicitation attorney today.