Arlington Solicitation Lawyer: Fighting Back For Your Future
Key Takeaways:
- A solicitation charge in Texas can lead to felony penalties, even for first-time offenders.
- You don’t need to complete the act to be arrested; an offer or agreement is enough.
- Defenses include lack of intent, entrapment, mistaken identity, or rights violations.
- An Arlington solicitation lawyer investigates your case, negotiates with prosecutors, and protects your record.
- With skilled, discreet legal support, you can fight the charges and safeguard your future.
Being charged with solicitation in Texas can feel humiliating. You may be overwhelmed by fear, anger, or shame, especially if you’ve never been in trouble with the law before. But here’s the truth: a charge isn’t a conviction. And you don’t have to face it alone.
At Arlington Criminal Attorneys, we help people who’ve been accused of solicitation build strong defenses that protect their futures, reputations, and freedom. These cases can be complex, but with the right strategy, it’s possible to reduce penalties, protect your record, and in some cases, get the charges dropped entirely.
In this article, you’ll learn how Texas defines solicitation, what penalties may apply, which defense strategies work in these cases, and how an experienced Arlington solicitation attorney can help you move forward with dignity and confidence.
Solicitation In Texas
Under the Texas Penal Code, solicitation occurs when someone knowingly offers or agrees to pay for sexual conduct. Notably, the law does not require the act to take place for charges to stand. The intention and agreement to engage in the transaction are enough for an arrest, making these cases particularly nuanced.
Solicitation is a distinct offense, separate from prostitution in a critical way. Prostitution involves providing sexual services for compensation, while solicitation refers to attempting to hire someone for such services. For example, offering money for indecent favors can lead to solicitation charges, even if the offer is not accepted or the act does not occur.
Law enforcement often uses sting operations in these cases. Officers may pose as clients or sex workers to identify individuals attempting to solicit. While these tactics aim to reduce illegal activity, they can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or wrongful accusations. This broad approach can entangle individuals in legal situations.
The nature of solicitation laws and the aggressive schemes used to enforce them make these charges challenging to navigate. Knowing the potential penalties is just as important as understanding the offense itself.
Penalties For Soliciting Prostitution
Texas takes a firm stance against solicitation. The law imposes harsh punishments that escalate based on factors like prior offenses or the solicited person’s age. A conviction can result in imprisonment, heavy fines, and long-term consequences for your professional and personal life. Understanding these penalties is critical for anyone accused of the crime.
Felony Charges
Solicitation is generally classified as a state jail felony in Texas. This means that even a first-time offender can face up to two years of imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000. However, the charges can escalate depending on certain aggravating factors.
For example, if the individual accused of solicitation has previous convictions for similar offenses, the charge rises to a third-degree felony. This offense carries a penalty of two to 10 years in prison and a maximum of $10,000 in fines.
Solicitation Of A Minor
Soliciting a minor (individuals under 18) results in even more severe consequences. This offense constitutes a second-degree felony, with penalties including a prison sentence of two to 20 years and fines reaching $10,000. The law does not require the accused to have known the minor’s age at the time of the offense for the charges to apply.
Other Aggravating Factors
Certain circumstances can lead to even stricter penalties. Suppose the solicitation occurs within 1,000 feet of a school or during an official academy function. In that case, the offense can elevate to the next felony category. For example, if the original offense is a state jail felony, it can be enhanced to a third-degree felony.
Additionally, previous convictions for solicitation or related offenses significantly increase punishment severity. Texas law allows penalty enhancements for prior violations, even if the earlier case didn’t result in a formal conviction. This includes those that ended in probation or deferred adjudication.
Understanding these penalties and their application to specific cases can feel like an uphill battle. However, a skilled solicitation attorney in Arlington can bring clarity and direction to your case. They develop a strong legal defense that addresses your circumstances and works toward minimizing these consequences.
Legal Defenses Against Solicitation Charges
A charge doesn’t mean the evidence is strong or that it will hold up in court. An experienced Arlington solicitation law firm will investigate every detail of your case and craft a defense designed to protect your rights, your freedom, and your reputation.
Here are some of the most common and effective strategies:
| Defense Strategy | Description |
| Challenging the Evidence | Solicitation cases often depend on text messages, audio recordings, or verbal exchanges. But just because communication occurred doesn’t mean a crime was committed. A skilled attorney can argue that the conversation lacked criminal intent or was taken out of context. If the messages or recordings don’t clearly show an agreement for sexual services in exchange for payment, the case may not meet the legal standard for solicitation. |
| Entrapment By Law Enforcement | If police officers acted in a way that provoked, pressured, or manipulated you into making an offer, that’s not enforcement, it’s entrapment. Your lawyer may be able to prove that you would not have committed a crime if not for law enforcement’s improper conduct. This defense often succeeds when undercover officers initiate conversations and repeatedly attempt to bait a response. |
| Lack of Intent | Intent is one of the most difficult elements to prove in solicitation cases, and one of the most powerful grounds for defense. If your comments were misunderstood, sarcastic, or ambiguous, your lawyer can argue that no actual criminal intent existed. This strategy can be especially useful when digital or text-based communication is the only evidence. |
| Constitutional Rights Violations | If officers violated your rights, such as performing an unlawful search, making an arrest without probable cause, or failing to Mirandize you, your attorney may file a motion to suppress the evidence. If granted, that could result in key pieces of the prosecution’s case being thrown out. |
| Mistaken Identity | Solicitation arrests sometimes happen fast, in parking lots, street corners, or via online profiles. If the identification of the suspect is questionable or based on vague descriptions, mistaken identity becomes a powerful defense. Your lawyer may present evidence such as alibi records, camera footage, or witness testimony to prove you weren’t the person involved. |
Each case is different. The best defense starts with a full understanding of the facts and a legal strategy built around you, not a one-size-fits-all template.
Benefits Of Having An Arlington Solicitation Lawyer
Solicitation charges aren’t just legal problems. They threaten your career, your family, and your future. Working with a trusted lawyer means you’ll have someone in your corner who knows how to handle these cases discreetly and effectively.
Thorough Case Review
Your lawyer will review police reports, surveillance logs, and digital communications for inconsistencies or errors. They’ll file the right motions to challenge any unconstitutional searches or arrests and press the court to toss out weak or improperly obtained evidence.
Strategic Defense Planning
A qualified Arlington solicitation defense lawyer won’t treat your case like just another file. They’ll develop a plan based on your background, the facts of your case, and your long-term goals, whether that’s case dismissal, reduced charges, or avoiding public exposure.
Plea Negotiation & Sentence Reduction
When appropriate, your lawyer may be able to negotiate with prosecutors to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor, recommend diversion programs, or secure deferred adjudication. These outcomes can keep your record clean and reduce the long-term impact of the charge.
Protecting Your Privacy & Reputation
These cases are sensitive. An experienced defense attorney knows how to protect your privacy, whether that’s resolving matters quickly before they go public or keeping your name out of unnecessary court filings. Your lawyer is your buffer, working behind the scenes to protect not just your legal outcome, but your reputation too.
Facing Solicitation Charges In Arlington? You Need An Ally
A solicitation charge can feel like your life is unraveling, but one mistake doesn’t define who you are. At Arlington Criminal Attorneys, we help clients regain their footing by building powerful, discreet defenses to solicitation and related charges.
Our team approaches every case with focus, compassion, and relentless attention to detail. We challenge bad evidence, expose police overreach, and negotiate for outcomes that protect your future. Whether it’s your first offense or you’ve been here before, we’ll guide you through the process with clarity and confidence.
We know your reputation matters. That’s why we keep our representation discreet, our communication honest, and your goals at the center of everything we do.
If you’ve been accused of solicitation in Arlington, let’s talk. Book your confidential case review today. We are ready to stand by your side and fight for your future.
