Solicitation

Solicitation Charges in Alpharetta, Georgia

Prostitution remains illegal in Georgia. A person who solicits another for prostitution faces serious criminal charges. Soliciting another person to perform an act of prostitution is not a minor offense. It is pandering and is classified as a sex crime.

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For offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, pandering is a felony – even a first offense. A conviction carries one to ten years in prison. If you face solicitation or pandering charges, you need an Alpharetta solicitation lawyer who understands the severity of these allegations. Reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights and fight for your defense.

Solicitation and Pandering Charges in Georgia

Under Georgia law, pandering occurs in two ways.

First, a person commits pandering when he or she solicits another person to perform an act of prostitution. This applies whether the solicitation is for the person's own benefit or on behalf of a third party.

Second, a person commits pandering when he or she knowingly assembles persons at a fixed place. The purpose must be to allow them to be solicited to perform an act of prostitution.

A buyer who solicits a prostitute is charged with pandering. Soliciting for oneself is pandering. It is not a separate, lesser offense. A prostitution lawyer serving Dunwoody defends pandering allegations arising under these same statutes.

Pandering is distinct from prostitution itself. Under Georgia law, prostitution occurs when a person 18 years or older performs, offers, or consents to perform a sexual act for money or other items of value. With pandering, the criminal act is the solicitation or assembly. It is not the sexual conduct itself. The prosecution must prove that the defendant solicited another person to perform an act of prostitution. A qualified Alpharetta solicitation attorney can challenge whether the evidence actually establishes that a solicitation occurred.

Penalties for Solicitation and Pandering in Alpharetta

Pandering penalties depend on when the offense was committed.

Current Law: Offenses on or After July 1, 2026

Under Georgia law, a person convicted of pandering is guilty of a felony. The sentence is imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years. This applies to every conviction – even a first offense. No misdemeanor tier for pandering exists under current Georgia law. Our solicitation lawyers in Gwinnett County handle pandering cases charged under this same felony statute.

Prior Law: Offenses Before July 1, 2026

For offenses committed before July 1, 2026, a first pandering offense was a high and aggravated misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense was a felony. Defendants charged with older conduct should understand which sentencing framework applies to their case.

Mandatory $2,500 Fine Near Schools and Other Protected Areas

Under Georgia law, a mandatory $2,500 fine applies when the pandering offense was committed within one thousand feet of a school building. The same fine applies if the offense occurred within one thousand feet of school grounds. It also applies if the offense occurred within one thousand feet of a public place of worship. It also applies if the offense occurred within one thousand feet of a playground or recreation center used primarily by persons under 17. This fine is in addition to any other penalty. It does not apply to every pandering case. It applies only to offenses near these protected locations.

Collateral Consequences: STD Testing and Vehicle Forfeiture

A pandering conviction carries consequences beyond the sentence itself. Georgia law requires the clerk of court to publish a notice of the conviction. The notice runs in the legal organ of the county. It carries the arrest photograph, the name and address of the convicted person, and how the case ended. The convicted person is assessed the cost of publishing it.

Under Georgia law, STD testing is ordered by a court following a guilty verdict or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. The testing is imposed as a condition of probation or a suspended sentence. A defendant who lives in Georgia must submit to testing within 45 days of the verdict or plea. A defendant who lives outside Georgia must undergo immediate testing and remains in the custody of the court until the testing is done. If the defendant is married, he or she must consent to release of the test results to the spouse.

Under Georgia law, vehicle forfeiture applies when a motor vehicle is used to facilitate a pandering violation. It is declared contraband and is subject to forfeiture. The forfeiture proceeds through the civil procedures set forth in Georgia law. Not every case results in forfeiture, but the risk is real when a vehicle was used in the offense.

Pandering is now a felony for offenses on or after July 1, 2026. A conviction may affect employment background checks, professional licensing, immigration status for non-citizens, and firearm rights. These collateral consequences can follow a person long after any sentence is served.

Defense Strategies for Alpharetta Solicitation and Pandering Cases

Pandering cases often turn on specific facts. What was said? To whom? Did the conversation actually constitute a request to perform an act of prostitution for hire? Vague or ambiguous language may not meet the legal standard for solicitation under Georgia law.

Many Alpharetta-area pandering arrests arise from undercover sting operations. Local and metro-Atlanta task forces conduct these operations. These operations can raise entrapment concerns. This is especially true when law enforcement initiated the contact. It is also true when officers persuaded a person to engage in conduct he or she would not otherwise have pursued.

Constitutional challenges may also apply. If the stop, search, or interrogation violated the defendant's rights, a defense attorney may move to suppress that evidence. Identification issues – whether the defendant was correctly identified as the person involved – can affect the state's case. Questions about intent can also affect the strength of the state's case.

Now that first offense pandering is a felony, plea negotiation strategy matters more than ever. An Alpharetta sex crime lawyer familiar with Fulton County courts can evaluate whether the evidence supports the charge as filed. Such counsel can determine what alternatives may be available. Every case depends on its specific facts.

Speak With an Alpharetta Solicitation and Pandering Defense Lawyer

Pandering is a felony in Georgia for offenses on or after July 1, 2026 – even a first offense. A conviction could mean one to ten years in prison. Mandatory testing for sexually transmitted diseases follows a verdict or plea. Vehicle forfeiture is possible. The conviction can have lasting consequences for your career, licensing, and personal life.

If you have been charged with solicitation or pandering in Alpharetta or Fulton County, an experienced Alpharetta solicitation lawyer can review the evidence. Such counsel can evaluate the charging decision and identify available defenses. Seek legal guidance promptly.

Call Kohn & Yager LLC for a free consultation to discuss your case and your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Solicitation a Felony in Georgia?

Soliciting another person for prostitution is pandering and constitutes a felony offense. For offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, pandering is a felony. The punishment is one to ten years in prison. This applies to first offenses as well.

What Is the Difference Between Solicitation, Pandering, and Prostitution in Georgia?

Prostitution is performing or offering a sexual act for money or other items of value. Pandering is soliciting another person to perform an act of prostitution. Pandering also includes assembling persons at a fixed place to be solicited for such acts. A buyer who solicits a prostitute is charged with pandering, not prostitution.

When Does the $2,500 Mandatory Fine Apply to a Pandering Conviction in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, the $2,500 mandatory fine applies when the offense was committed within one thousand feet of a school building. The same fine applies for offenses within one thousand feet of school grounds. It also applies for offenses within one thousand feet of a public place of worship. It also applies for offenses within one thousand feet of a playground or recreation center used primarily by persons under 17. It does not apply to every pandering conviction.

Will I Have to Take an STD Test if I'm Convicted of Solicitation in Alpharetta?

Under Georgia law, STD testing is ordered by a court following a guilty verdict or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. The testing is imposed as a condition of probation or a suspended sentence. If you are married, you must consent to release of the results to your spouse.

Can My Car Be Forfeited if I'm Charged With Pandering in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, vehicle forfeiture applies when a motor vehicle is used to facilitate a pandering offense. It is declared contraband and is subject to forfeiture through civil proceedings. Whether forfeiture occurs depends on the facts of the case and the applicable procedures.