Under Texas law, prostitution is generally a Class B misdemeanor. The penalty for prostitution in Texas is the potential for several months in jail and significant fines. A second or subsequent conviction calls for more substantial punishments, including up to two years in state prison.
If police accused you of prostitution or if you already face charges, the criminal defense team from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is here to help. We can look into the circumstances of your arrest and develop a defense strategy to employ in your case, fighting for the most favorable outcome possible.
Penalties for Prostitution in Texas
The state generally charges a first offense for prostitution as a Class B misdemeanor. The possible penalties if convicted include:
- As many as 180 days in jail; and
- A fine not to exceed $2,000
A second or third offense may be a Class A misdemeanor, which calls for more stringent penalties. You could face:
- Up to 1 year in jail; and
- A fine not to exceed $4,000.
A fourth or subsequent conviction could result in serious consequences because the state may charge it as a state jail felony. If convicted, you could face:
- 6 months to 2 years in state jail; and
- A fine not to exceed $10,000
If the person with whom you agreed to engage in sexual activity was under the age of 18, you face second-degree felony charges (2 to 20 years in jail, $10,000 in fines) for the first offense.
Understanding Prostitution Charges in Texas
Like most states, Texas has laws that make it illegal to commit prostitution. The crime of prostitution occurs when one party offers to engage in or engages in sexual behavior in exchange for money or another asset. It is possible to break the law if you offer sexual contact or solicit sexual behaviors in exchange for a fee.
It is important to note that sexual contact does not need to happen to get convicted of this type of charge, and there is nothing in the law that says prostitution must occur in exchange for money. The fee may include any type of asset, including drugs, valuables, or currency.
Let Attorney Randall Isenberg Review Your Texas Prostitution Case
Attorney Randall Isenberg and the team from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg understand Texas prostitution laws and the penalties you could face if convicted. We also understand that you want to avoid these penalties if at all possible and understand how jail time and fines could affect your family and your future.
With more than 30 years of experience handling criminal cases in Texas, Randall can aggressively pursue a more favorable outcome in your case. In addition to handling thousands of criminal defense cases, his career includes time serving as both a former prosecutor and a former state district judge. He knows what it takes to prove these cases and can use this to your advantage.
Some of the possible outcomes in this type of case include:
- Convincing them to drop the charges against you and dismiss the case
- Negotiating a plea deal for reduced charges with a reduced penalty
- Taking your case to court and fighting for an acquittal
- Pleading guilty and working with the judge for a reduced or probated sentence
Our team will go to work today, protecting your rights. We will be by your side at every court appearance and during interrogations if necessary. From arraignment through sentencing, you will have our support and guidance every step of the way. We will also review the circumstances that led to your arrest and the arrest itself to ensure they did not violate your rights during this process.
Talk to a Criminal Defense Attorney About Your Texas Prostitution Allegations
If the police or the state alleges you committed prostitution or a sex crime in Texas, a prostitution defense attorney from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you understand what could happen and help you fight to pursue the best possible outcome based on the facts of your case.
Reach out to our team today by calling 214-696-9253. We can discuss the details of your case and begin to develop a solid case for a more favorable outcome. We will consider as much information as possible about what happened and then put a defense strategy in place that will help us fight the charges against you.
