Manassas Solicitation Lawyer

Whether you have been charged for soliciting someone to commit a felony, or you have been accused of soliciting a prostitute, you will likely need a lawyer. In Manassas, a conviction for solicitation could lead to jail time, so it could be in your best interest to retain counsel to advocate for you.

There are defenses that can be used to rebut an accusation of solicitation. A Manassas solicitation lawyer may be knowledgeable about defenses that apply to your particular case. Retaining an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible will allow adequate time to prepare for court.

Criminal Solicitation

In Manassas, criminal solicitation is when an individual “commands, entreats, or otherwise attempts to persuade another person to commit a felony.”

Per the Code of Virginia §18.2-29, an individual who has allegedly committed criminal solicitation may be charged with a class six felony. Individuals, who are charged with soliciting someone who is under the age of 18, may be guilty of a class five felony.

Concerning the solicitation of murder, a conviction could lead to a more severe consequence. If the accused is found guilty, they could be sentenced to five to 40 years in the penitentiary. A Manassas solicitation attorney may be willing to vigorously defend an individual in order to avoid a harsh conviction.

Solicitation of Sexual Services in Manassas

The solicitation of a prostitute for sexual services is a crime in Manassas and throughout the state. Under §18.2-346 of the Code of Virginia, a person who offers money or other valuables to a prostitute for the purpose of engaging in certain enumerated sexual acts has committed a class one misdemeanor.

Although solicitation of adults is a misdemeanor, it is a felony to pay a minor for sexual favors. By statute, a person who solicits a prostitute between the ages of 16 and 18 may be charged with a class six felony. Those who solicit a child under 16 may be prosecuted for a class five felony. A solicitation lawyer in Manassas may be able to defend persons accused of this form of criminal activity.

Defenses to a Solicitation Charge

A solicitation attorney in Manassas might be able to assert defenses that may create doubt in the minds of a jury. These include a lack of intent and entrapment.

Lack of Intent

Solicitation is a specific intent crime. Hence, a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended to achieve an unlawful result by means of soliciting another to perform it.

If a defendant lacked the proper mental state in performing the act, it may not have been solicitation as defined by the Code of Virginia. For example, if someone was intoxicated or joking when they made a solicitous request, they may not have intended a nefarious result at all.

Entrapment

Entrapment occurs when a member of law enforcement induces a defendant to solicit them.

In order to argue the defense of entrapment successfully, a lawyer generally needs to prove that the scheme originated with the police, not the defendant, and, more importantly, that the defendant was not predisposed to commit the offense. Entrapment can be difficult to prove, but effective communication of the circumstances surrounding the alleged entrapment may work in favor of the defendant in some cases.

How a Manassas Solicitation Attorney Could Help

Being arrested for solicitation can be both frightening and humiliating. If convicted, you could face jail time.

The prosecutor has the burden to show that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A skilled Manassas solicitation lawyer may be able to assert defenses that do indeed create that doubt.

Make an appointment to speak with a Manassas legal professional today. It may be in your best interest to hire an attorney who has experience with criminal defense cases.