In Texas, a conviction for solicitation, prostitution, or another sex crime can ruin your life — both legally and socially. Understanding your options in light of these serious charges pending against you will help you make the right choices for your future. When you feel that you are all alone in this mess, a prostitution and sex crime lawyer in Plano can be your advocate and the voice of reason that helps you through.
Your criminal defense attorney can help ensure the protection of your legal rights and build a case with which to defend you in court. For a free consultation in Plano, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg: 214-696-9253.
What are solicitation, prostitution, and sex crimes in Texas?
The Texas Penal Code lays out the definitions and potential consequences of Plano prostitution and sex crimes. Some of the most common sex crimes charges in Plano involve prostitution, solicitation, and promotion of prostitution.
Prostitution
The statutes define prostitution as agreeing to or knowingly engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. The statutes are clear that the fee need not be legal tender.
Solicitation
The statutes define solicitation as offering a fee for sexual contact. It is not necessary for any money to change hands or for physical contact to occur. The party must simply suggest this arrangement or agree to participate in it.
Promoting Prostitution
Promoting prostitution occurs when a third party shares in the fee procured through an act of prostitution. These charges could apply to the owner of an escort service or any individual who controls a prostitute or who solicits or arranges for an act of prostitution to occur.
Other Sex Crimes
Among the many other types of sex crimes outlined in the Texas Penal Code, some of the most serious include child pornography, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault.
The statutes also include public lewdness and indecent exposure, which are no less serious in the eyes of the law.
Because the statutes are complex, especially with regard to penalties, hiring a Plano sex crimes lawyer offers you the best chance of making the right choice in your case. Your attorney can explain the charges pending against you and help you understand the potential consequences.
Can you go to jail for solicitation or prostitution in Texas?
Every potential charge for Texas sex crimes carries potential time in jail or state prison, along with monetary fines and other penalties that the prosecutor may seek.
The state charges basic solicitation and prostitution crimes as Class B misdemeanors. However, a variety of special circumstances can elevate the charges to a Class A misdemeanor or felony charge. Increased penalties usually come with repeat offenses and the attempt to solicit a minor (a person under the age of 18 years) for prostitution.
You will also face Class A misdemeanor charges for promoting prostitution. Promoting prostitution for more than one person is a third-degree felony known as prostitution enterprise. If any prostitutes are under 18 years of age, the charges are a first-degree felony.
The statutory penalties established for each of these charges are as follows:
Charge Level |
Plano Sex Crimes Attorney Near Me
Monetary Fine |
Incarceration |
| Class B Misdemeanor | $2,000 | up to 6 months |
| Class A Misdemeanor | $4,000 | up to 1 year |
| State Jail Felony | $10,000 | 6 months to 2 years |
| Third-Degree Felony | $10,000 | 2 to 10 years |
| Second-Degree Felony | $10,000 | 2 to 20 years |
| First-Degree Felony | $10,000 | 5 to 99 years or life |
Do you have to register as a sex offender?
Per the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, anyone convicted of a reportable offense must register as a sex offender with the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS). You must also register with the law enforcement entity where you live.
In Plano, you must register with the Plano Police Department (PPD).
Once you have registered, anyone can search the TxDPS public sex offender database as well as the interactive map and offender list maintained on the City of Plano website.
Whether you must register after a prostitution or sex crime conviction depends on your crime and the terms of your sentence. We can tell you if you are required to register, and whether you qualify as a Level One, Level Two, or Level Three sex offender.
Many sex crime convictions in Texas require that you remain active in the registry for the rest of your life.
At any time during your sentence, TxDPS may make you report for a risk assessment to help determine how much of a threat you are to the community. This embarrassing process requires that you sit before a seven-person panel and answer questions regarding your sexual history and proclivities.
Do you need a prostitution or sex crime lawyer?
Upon conviction for Texas solicitation, prostitution or sex crimes charges, you will face the jail time and fines described above. You must register as sex offender in most cases, even if you never engaged in sexual contact with anyone.
You will face housing discrimination, because U.S. Fair Housing standards allow property managers to discriminate against sex offenders. Many employers also have legal grounds to deny you a job.
Based on your charges, you may never have custody of your children or have unsupervised visits with them.
No, you are not legally required to have an attorney. However, is this the future you want to face? If not, the only way to overcome this challenge is to fight the charges pending against you.
Being arrested and charged with prostitution or a sex crime is never a guaranteed conviction — although your community’s response to your situation may feel that way.
Having a Plano prostitution or sex crimes lawyer defend you is the only way to ensure protection of your legal rights. Your lawyer can make sure you understand your options and that you receive fair treatment throughout the legal process.
We will examine your case and determine the best defense for the crimes the state has accused you of.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg provides professional representation for clients charged with sex crimes of all types. We will fight diligently on your behalf to have the charges dismissed or reduced or, if necessary, we will do what it takes to fight your case in court.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation and case review, or to speak with a prostitution and sex crimes lawyer in Plano: 214-696-9253.
