Solicitation

Solicitation and Pandering Charges in Dunwoody, Georgia

Georgia does not have a crime called "soliciting prostitution." A buyer who solicits a person to perform a sex act for money is charged with pandering. A Dunwoody solicitation lawyer will explain why that matters.

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This difference matters. Pandering carries serious felony consequences. They include required newspaper publication and STD testing. A Dunwoody solicitation lawyer can explain which charge applies and what it carries.

Georgia does have other solicitation crimes. Criminal solicitation addresses soliciting another person to commit a felony. Solicitation of sodomy is a separate offense with its own penalties. When it comes to offering money for sex, the charge is pandering.

An experienced attorney can explain these charges and build a defense. If you face a pandering charge in Georgia, contact a Dunwoody solicitation lawyer today.

Commercial Sexual Solicitation: How Georgia Defines Pandering

Under Georgia law, a person commits pandering by soliciting another person to perform an act of prostitution. The solicitation can be for the person's own benefit or on behalf of a third party. The statute also covers knowingly assembling people at a fixed place so others can solicit them for prostitution.

In plain terms, offering someone money for a sex act qualifies as pandering. So does arranging for a third person to receive sexual services in exchange for payment. The law covers in-person meetings, phone calls, texts, and online messages.

Pandering is distinct from related offenses. Keeping a place of prostitution targets those who maintain a location used for prostitution. Pimping covers procuring, arranging, or transporting for prostitution, or taking a prostitute's earnings.

Pandering targets the buyer. It applies to the person who makes the solicitation.

Georgia law sets the penalties for these offenses. A single meeting can sometimes lead to several charges. Anyone facing a solicitation of prostitution Georgia charge should speak with a lawyer right away.

Penalties for a Pandering Conviction in Georgia

Georgia law changed with the passage of SB 547. The law became effective July 1, 2026. Under the current version, penalties depend on when the offense occurred.

Offenses on or after July 1, 2026: Pandering is a felony. A conviction carries one to ten years in prison. This applies to a first offense. No misdemeanor option exists for conduct on or after this date.

Offenses before July 1, 2026: A first-offense pandering conviction was a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. The maximum was 12 months in jail, a fine of up to five thousand dollars, or both. A second or subsequent offense was already a felony carrying one to ten years.

Former subsection (b) addressing age-based penalty tiers was repealed by SB 42. The law became effective May 14, 2025. The five-to-twenty-year felony range cited by some sources applies to soliciting a person under eighteen to perform sodomy for money.

Enhanced fine near schools and places of worship: Under Georgia law, an additional two thousand five hundred dollar fine applies to a pandering conviction near certain locations. This applies if the offense occurred within one thousand feet of a school building. It also applies if the offense occurred within one thousand feet of school grounds.

The same fine also applies near a public place of worship. It also applies near a playground or recreation center used primarily by people under seventeen. This is a fixed add-on penalty. It does not apply to every pandering case.

Collateral Consequences of a Pandering Conviction

Beyond prison time, a pandering conviction brings required consequences. They can reshape a person's life.

Required newspaper publication. Under Georgia law, the clerk of court must publish a notice of every pandering conviction. The notice appears in the legal organ of the county. For defendants, this is the county where they reside. For nonresidents, it is the county where the conviction occurred. The notice includes the defendant's photograph, name, address, and case details. The defendant must pay the publication cost.

Required STD testing. Under Georgia law, the court must require STD testing within forty-five days. This testing is a condition of probation. It is also a condition of a suspended sentence. Test results may be disclosed to the defendant's spouse.

Civil forfeiture. Under Georgia law, any motor vehicle used to facilitate pandering is declared contraband. It can be forfeited in a civil proceeding, along with other property used to facilitate pandering and any proceeds.

A felony pandering conviction may also affect immigration status, professional licensing, and employment. Clients often ask how long criminal records follow them. Combined with required newspaper publication, these effects extend far beyond the courtroom.

Dunwoody Municipal Court and Where Your Case Will Be Heard

Pandering is now a felony for offenses on or after July 1, 2026. State law charges are prosecuted in the Superior Court of the county where the offense occurred, which for a Dunwoody case is DeKalb County. They are not heard in Dunwoody Municipal Court. Superior Court handles felonies, and the stakes are much higher.

Dunwoody Municipal Court hears cases brought under city ordinances. Under Georgia law, the powers granted to municipal corporations do not include defining an offense that is also a crime under state law. A city ordinance also cannot provide confinement beyond six months. It cannot set fines or bond forfeitures above one thousand dollars.

The charge you face shapes the entire case. A state felony charge means potential prison time. It means mandatory publication. It means a permanent felony record. An ordinance violation carries far lower maximum penalties, though it still creates a record. Early representation from a pandering lawyer can affect how the charges develop and how the case is resolved.

Related Charges: Criminal Solicitation and Solicitation of Sodomy

Georgia has solicitation crimes. It simply lacks a standalone statute for "soliciting prostitution." Two related offenses often cause mix-ups.

Criminal solicitation under Georgia law applies when a person solicits another to commit any felony. A conviction carries one to three years in prison. If the underlying crime is punishable by death or life imprisonment, the penalty is one to five years. This is a general inchoate offense. It is not specific to prostitution.

Solicitation of sodomy under Georgia law is a misdemeanor in most cases. When the offense involves soliciting a person under eighteen to perform sodomy for money, it becomes a felony. Penalties are five to twenty years in prison. They also include a fine of twenty-five hundred to ten thousand dollars. This is a separate offense from pandering. It carries its own distinct penalties.

How a Pandering Lawyer in Dunwoody Can Help

A pandering charge needs fast legal help. For offenses on or after July 1, 2026, every pandering charge is a felony. The penalty is one to ten years in prison. The required newspaper notice alone makes a strong defense essential. Clients almost always ask about jail time first.

A defense lawyer looks at every element of the case. Was the alleged message clear enough to count as an offer to exchange money for a sex act? Many pandering arrests result from sting operations. Entrapment defenses may apply. These apply when law enforcement induced conduct the defendant would not otherwise have engaged in. A lawyer reviews recordings, texts, and online messages. They look for context the state may miss.

Chain-of-custody issues, identity problems, and constitutional challenges to the stop or arrest can all weaken the state's case. Each of these shapes the defense strategy. Depending on the facts, talks with the prosecutor may reduce charges. They may also lead to other outcomes.

Kohn & Yager LLC represents clients in DeKalb County Superior Court and Dunwoody Municipal Court. Our lawyers know how these cases move through the local courts. Our criminal defense law firm is based in Atlanta. Choosing a criminal defense lawyer who knows these courts matters. We work to protect both the freedom and good name of every client.

Contact an experienced attorney for a free consultation about your pandering or solicitation case. Early legal help can make a big difference in how your case is resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Soliciting a Prostitute a Crime in Georgia?

Yes, soliciting a prostitute is a crime in Georgia. Georgia does not have a crime labeled "soliciting a prostitute." The conduct is illegal under the pandering statute. A person who solicits another to perform an act of prostitution faces felony charges. This applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026.

What Is the Penalty for Pandering in Georgia?

For offenses on or after July 1, 2026, pandering is a felony. The penalty is one to ten years in prison. This applies even to a first offense. An additional two thousand five hundred dollar fine applies if the offense occurred within one thousand feet of a school. It also applies near a place of worship. It also applies near a playground or recreation center used primarily by people under seventeen.

Will a Pandering Conviction in Georgia Be Published in the Newspaper?

Yes, a pandering conviction will be published in the newspaper. Under Georgia law, publication is mandatory. The court clerk must publish a notice in the legal organ of the appropriate county. The notice includes the defendant's photograph, name, address, and case details. The defendant pays the cost.

Does Georgia Require STD Testing After a Pandering Conviction?

Yes, Georgia requires STD testing after a pandering conviction. The court must require STD testing within forty-five days. This testing is a condition of probation. It is also a condition of a suspended sentence. Test results may be released to the defendant's spouse.

What Is the Difference Between Pandering and Solicitation of Sodomy in Georgia?

Pandering and solicitation of sodomy are separate offenses. Pandering involves soliciting a person to perform an act of prostitution. Solicitation of sodomy involves soliciting a person to perform or submit to sodomy. They carry different penalty structures. Soliciting a person under eighteen to perform sodomy for money carries five to twenty years.