Being charged with a sex crime in Arkansas can cause one to feel immense amounts of uncertainty regarding their future. In Arkansas, not only is it a crime to perform acts of a sexual nature in exchange for compensation, but it is also illegal to merely solicit prostitution. If you find yourself facing charges of this nature, it is wise to retain the counsel and representation of a Little Rock prostitution and solicitation lawyer who can make you aware of your rights.
Certain sex crimes can lead to serious penalties, including substantial fines that could inflict intense financial hardship and lengthy jail sentences. At Lemley Law Partners, we understand how frightening these times can be and how much you deserve an attentive criminal defense team that can review the details of your charges and begin building a solid defense strategy. In these cases, your future and freedoms are on the line. Don’t wait to secure a legal defense.
Successful convictions of prostitution and solicitation can affect you for the rest of your life. Now is not the time to try to defend these crimes yourself. Instead, look to the attorneys at Lemley Law Partners to provide you with a comprehensive and tailored defense against these charges.
In Arkansas, prostitution happens if there is an agreement to engage or offer to engage in a sexual act or sexual activity in exchange for a fee or in expectation of a fee. However, the individual is not guilty if they are found to be engaging in sexual acts for payment or if they are a victim of sex or human trafficking.
If you are found guilty of prostitution in the state of Arkansas, your first offense can be charged as a Class B misdemeanor, and a fine of $1,000 can ensue. However, if this is your second or subsequent offense, it will be treated as a Class A misdemeanor, and a fine of $2,500 can ensue. In Arkansas, the state code defines sexual activity as any form of sexual intercourse, deviant sexual activity, or sexual contact.
In Arkansas, solicitation is defined as when an individual offers or agrees to pay a fee in order to engage in sexual activity with another person or requests another individual to engage in sexual acts with them in exchange for a fee. An affirmative defense to this crime is that the individual accused of solicitation did so as a victim of sex or human trafficking.
Sexual solicitation is an unclassified misdemeanor and can have several sentences handed down in the event of a successful conviction. For the first offense, this crime can be charged as a misdemeanor, and the individual charged can face up to 90 days in prison, a fine of no more than $2,000, or a combination of both imprisonment and the fine.
If the individual charged is on their second or further subsequent offense, they can face no more than a year of imprisonment, a fine of no more than $3,500, or a combination of both the fine and prison time.
If you find yourself facing prostitution or solicitation charges in the state of Arkansas, both your reputation and your future can be on the line. These are serious cases and need to be treated with delicacy and legal knowledge. For over 20 years, the legal team at Lemley Law Partners has been assisting clients who face a wide range of sex crime charges, including those for solicitation and prostitution. We understand how the legal system works and are ready to fight for you.
As soon as you walk through our office doors for your initial consultation, we treat your case with the seriousness it deserves. We can review the details of your charges, launch our own investigation into the circumstances in which the charges arose, and work to secure evidence to build a defense strategy. With our team on your side, you can have confidence knowing we can do everything in our power to secure the most positive outcome available.
Depending on the exact nature of your solicitation or prostitution case in Little Rock, there are several defenses that may be available to you. These can include:
A: If you are a victim of sex or human trafficking and are brought in for solicitation or prostitution charges, this is considered an affirmative defense, and you will not be found guilty of these charges. Your attorney can work with you to prove your case as a victim and even work to hold your traffickers to justice.
A: In addition to the legal penalties brought on by a successful conviction of prostitution or solicitation, you can also face personal consequences. These can include damage done to your personal and professional reputation, causing it to become difficult to find or maintain employment and find new housing opportunities should the need arise.
A: There are several forms of evidence that can be used in a sex crime case, such as when charges of prostitution and solicitation are involved. These forms of evidence can include physical evidence such as DNA testing, electronic communications like texts or emails, eyewitness statements, and surveillance video footage. An attorney can help you uncover the necessary evidence for your case.
A: It can be challenging to offer an exact number as to how much a criminal defense attorney might charge for their services. This is due to the fact that each case is different, and so is the way in which an attorney can structure their fees. However, there are a few common factors that can influence these fees, including the severity of the charge, the complexity and duration of the case, and the experience of your attorney.
Finding oneself accused of prostitution or solicitation can be a frightening and uncertain experience. At Lemley Law Partners, we hope to come alongside you during this challenging time and offer our experience and resources to seek the most positive outcome available for your unique situation. Contact our offices today to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about how we can help you.