Solicitation / Prostitution Defense Attorney in Fort Worth
Offering to pay for sex and providing sexual conduct in exchange for money or other goods or services of value is illegal in Texas. Law enforcement in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and surrounding areas of the Lone Star State occasionally use undercover sting operations to apprehend alleged offenders.
In cases of alleged prostitution, it is important to understand that being deceived by an undercover cop does not constitute entrapment. Instead, this important defense applies when a person is compelled to commit a criminal act he or she would not have otherwise committed. Alleged offenders may still be able to argue that authorities misunderstood the true nature of a casual conversation.
Solicitation and Prostitution Lawyer Fort Worth, Texas
If you have been arrested for alleged solicitation or offering to engage in prostitution in Texas, you should refuse to make any kind of statement until you have legal representation. Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC can fight to get your criminal charges reduced or completely dismissed.
Our Fort Worth prostitution attorneys represent clients accused of prostitution, solicitation, and other types of sex crimes in Cleburne, Weatherford, Arlington, and many other surrounding areas in North Central Texas. You can have our firm review your case as soon as you call (817) 502-3600 today to schedule a completely free initial consultation.
Overview of Solicitation in Tarrant County
Prostitution and Solicitation Crimes in Texas
Subchapter A of Title 9, Chapter 43 in the Texas Penal Code is dedicated to prostitution offenses. Some of the most common crimes that people are charged with, in the greater Fort Worth area include:
Prostitution
Under Texas Penal Code § 43.02, a person commits this offense if the person knowingly offers or agrees to receive a fee from another to engage in sexual conduct. The classification of this crime is as follows:
- Class B Misdemeanor — First offense;
- Class A Misdemeanor — Second or third offense;
- State Jail Felony — Fourth or subsequent offense.
Solicitation of Prostitution
Under Texas Penal Code § 43.021, a person commits this offense if the person knowingly offers or agrees to pay a fee to another person for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with that person or another. The classification of this crime is as follows:
- State Jail Felony — First offense;
- Third-Degree Felony — Second or subsequent offense;
- Second-Degree Felony — If the person with whom the actor agrees to engage in sexual conduct is:
- Younger than 18 years of age, regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the person at the time of the offense;
- Represented to the actor as being younger than 18 years of age; or
- Believed by the actor to be younger than 18 years of age.
Promotion of Prostitution
Under Texas Penal Code § 43.03, a person commits this offense if he or she—acting other than as a prostitute receiving compensation for personally rendered prostitution services—knowingly receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement to participate in the proceeds of prostitution; or solicits another to engage in sexual conduct with another person for compensation. The crime is classified as follows:
- Third-Degree Felony — First offense;
- Second Degree Felony — Second or subsequent offense; and
- First-Degree Felony — If the actor engages in the conduct with a person younger than 18 years of age engaging in prostitution, regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the person at the time of the offense.
Online Promotion of Prostitution
Under Texas Penal Code § 43.031, a person commits this offense if the person owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service or information content provider, or operates as an information content provider, with the intent to promote the prostitution of another person or facilitate another person to engage in prostitution or solicitation of prostitution. The classification of this crime is as follows:
- Third-Degree Felony — First offense;
- Second-Degree Felony — Second or subsequent offense; and
- First-Degree Felony — If the actor engages in the conduct with a person younger than 18 years of age engaging in prostitution, regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the person at the time of the offense.
Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution
Under Texas Penal Code § 43.04, a person commits this offense if he or she knowingly owns, invests in, finances, controls, supervises, or manages a prostitution enterprise that uses two or more prostitutes. This offense is a First Degree Felony.
Aggravated Online Promotion of Prostitution
Under Texas Penal Code § 43.041, a person commits this offense if the person owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service or information content provider, or operates as an information content provider, with the intent to promote the prostitution of five or more persons or facilitate five or more persons to engage in prostitution or solicitation of prostitution. The classification of this crime is as follows:
- Second Degree Felony — First offense; and
- First Degree Felony — If the actor has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or engages in conduct involving two or more persons younger than 18 years of age engaging in prostitution, regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the persons at the time of the offense.
Compelling Prostitution
Under Texas Penal Code § 43.05, a person commits this offense if he or she knowingly causes another person by force, threat, coercion or fraud to commit prostitution or causes by any means a child younger than 18 years to commit prostitution, regardless of whether the actor knows the age of the child at the time the actor commits the offense. This offense is a First Degree Felony.
Prostitution Penalties in Tarrant County
Prostitution crimes in Texas are punishable by lengthy terms of imprisonment and significant fines. Alleged offenders with previous offenses on their criminal records are typically subject to stricter sentences.
If convicted of one of the crimes listed above, a person could face the following punishments:
- Class B Misdemeanor — Fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail term of up to 180 days;
- Class A Misdemeanor — Fine of up to $4,000 and/or jail term of up to one year;
- State Jail Felony — Fine of up to $10,000 and/or state jail term of at least 180 days up to two years;
- Third Degree Felony — Fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for at least two years up to 10 years;
- Second Degree Felony — Fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for at least two years up to 20 years; and
- First Degree Felony — Fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for at least five years up to 99 years.
Texas Resources for Prostitution Crimes
We Are Cherished — We Are Cherished exists “to reach women in the sex industry and empower them to discover they are loved, valued and cherished.” The organization offers counseling, mentoring, financial coaching, resume assistance, interview skills, and job placement services. You can also learn more about its outreach efforts and support groups.
Find a Lawyer for Solicitation of Prostitution Charges in Fort Worth, TX
Were you recently charged with engaging in or soliciting another person to engage in prostitution in Texas? It will be in your best interest to immediately retain experienced legal counsel.
Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC aggressively defends clients accused of sexually based offenses in communities throughout Tarrant County, Johnson County, Parker County, and surrounding areas of North Central Texas.
Call (817) 502-3600 or submit an online form to set up a free, confidential consultation that will allow our Fort Worth, criminal defense attorneys, to review your case.