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Southern California Solicitation for Prostitution Attorneys

The Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers at Neil Shouse & Associates represent clients in solicitation for prostitution cases throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California. If you have been arrested for a prostitution offense in California, contact us to see what defenses and alternatives may be available to you.

In Penal Code 647(b), California law criminalizes two forms of prostitution: (1) actually engaging in sexual acts for compensation, and (2) soliciting prostitution. Solicitation for prostitution occurs when a person offers someone compensation in return for performing sexual acts (the customer or "john") or when someone agrees to accept compensation in return for sexual favors (the prostitute).

The penalties for prostitution convictions in California can include probation, substantial fines and up to a year incarceration in the county jail. California law also imposes mandatory jail time for repeat prostitution offenders.

A good California prostitution defense lawyer can often spot weaknesses in the state's evidence, and work out more favorable resolutions of the prostitution charges.

The California Jury Instruction defining Solicitation for Prostitution:

The defendant is charged with soliciting another individual to engage in an act of prostitution.

To prove this crime, the prosecution must prove that:

1. The defendant requested or otherwise solicited that another person engage in an act of prostitution;

2. The defendant intended to engage in an act of prostitution with the other person;

AND

3. The other person received the communication containing the request.

A person engages in an act of prostitution if he or she has sexual intercourse or does a lewd act with someone else in exchange for money or other compensation.

Additional Resources Regarding Prostitution:

Prostitution Research
Studies and research on prostitution nationally and across the globe.

Legalization of Prostitution
Position paper advocating the legalization of prostitution.

ECPAT International
Network of organizations seeking to end child prostitution and the commercial exploitation of children.