Southern Minnesota Prostitution & Solicitation
Experienced Prostitution & Solicitation Attorneys
At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our Southern Minnesota prostitution & solicitation defense attorney has the professional experience that you can rely on in a complex case. With a deep understanding of the law and the criminal justice process, our firm works closely with clients to solve problems and secure their future. If you or your loved one is facing a prostitution or solicitation charge, we can help. Contact us today to arrange a strictly private initial consultation with a top Minnesota criminal defense attorney.
Understanding Minnesota Law: Prostitution & Solicitation
Prostitution is unlawful in Minnesota. Both parties engaged in the act can be arrested and charged with a serious criminal offense. Under Minnesota law (MN Stat § 609.321), prostitution is broadly defined as the exchange of money, goods, or services in exchange for sex, sexual contact, or a sexual act. To be clear, prostitution does not require any penetration under state law. A sexual act that was overtly “purchased” can constitute prostitution. Here is an overview of the criminal charges.
- Prostitution Charges: A person arrested for and charged with prostitution in Minnesota faces allegations that they were hired to perform a sexual act for another.
- Solicitation Charges: A person arrested for and charged with solicitation faces allegations that they visited and/or hired a prostitute.
Key Point: Minnesota law holds that no sexual act actually needs to have occurred to sustain a prostitution charge and/or a solicitation charge. In effect, this means that the “offer” and “acceptance” of the illicit exchange of money/goods for a sexual act is sufficient to support criminal charges for prostitution or solicitation in Minnesota.
An Overview of the Penalties for Engaging in Prostitution in Minnesota
Were you arrested and charged with prostitution in Southern Minnesota? If so, you could face serious criminal sanctions. You should be aware of the potential penalties that can come with a conviction. Here are the key things to understand about the severity of prostitution charges:
- Engaging in prostitution in a public place is a gross misdemeanor offense. It carries maximum criminal penalties of one year in prison and a $3,000 fine.
- Agreeing or offering services as a prostitute is a misdemeanor offense that is punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
An Overview of the Penalties for Soliciting a Prostitute in Minnesota
Were you arrested and charged with a solicitation of a prostitute offense in Southern Minnesota? If so, you could face serious criminal penalties. Most often, solicitation is a misdemeanor charge. However, the crime can be charged as a felony if the prostitute in question is under the age of 18. Here is a more comprehensive overview of the potential penalties for solicitation of a prostitute:
- Solicitation Charges (Misdemeanor): A person charged with the solicitation of a prostitute in a public place can face a misdemeanor criminal offense carrying a maximum of a $500 fine and 20 years community service.
- Solicitation in a Public Place Charges (Misdemeanor): A person charged with solicitation of a prostitute in a public place could face a gross misdemeanor criminal charge. The charge carries maximum penalties of up to one year behind bars.
- Solicitation Charges (Felony): Solicitation of a prostitute is a felony offense if the prostitute is under the age of consent. The crime could carry somewhere between five years and twenty years in state prison. It is important to emphasize that ignorance of age is not necessarily a viable legal defense against this type of criminal charge.
A person charged with the solicitation of a prostitute in Southern Minnesota could also face a wide range of other potential sanctions, the suspension of a professional license, civil financial penalties, court-order counseling, and/or required community service.
Defending a Prostitution or Solicitation Charge in Southern Minnesota
A criminal charge is not the same thing as a criminal conviction. Every person charged with a crime in Minnesota is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you are facing a prostitution or solicitation charge, you have the right to raise a zealous legal defense. The best defense strategy against these types of sex crimes charges depends on many different factors. Some potential defenses to a prostitution/solicitation charge include:
- Actual innocence;
- Mistaken identity; and
- No offer or exchange of money or property.
In some cases, the best strategy to handle a prostitution or solicitation is an aggressive criminal defense. In other cases, the prosecution may have sufficient evidence to get a conviction. It could be a more sensible strategy to focus on reducing the charges or reducing the penalties—ensuring that you are in the best position to stay out of jail and move forward beyond the incident.
Clients Rely On Our Southern Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyers
Prostitution and solicitation charges are complicated. Whether you are interacting with the criminal justice system for the very first time or you have been charged with crimes in the past, it is essential that you know how to protect your rights and interests. At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., we are devoted to solving problems for our clients so that they can effectively secure their future. More specifically, our Southern Minnesota criminal defense attorney will:
- Answer your questions about the prostitution or solicitation charges;
- Investigate the allegations—gathering the evidence needed to move forward;
- Represent you in all dealings with police officers and prosecutors; and
- Take whatever action is required to help you secure the best outcome.
Get Help From Our Southern Minnesota Prostitution & Solicitation Defense Attorney
At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our Southern Minnesota prostitution & solicitation defense lawyers have the professional expertise that you can trust. If you or your loved one was arrested and charged with prostitution, solicitation, or any related offense, we can help. Call us now or connect with us online to set up your strictly confidential appointment. With law offices in Mankato and Rochester, we defend prostitution and solicitation charges throughout Southern Minnesota, including in Blue Earth County, Nicollet County, Le Sueur County, and Olmstead County.
Testimonial
“This law firm is very experienced, very effective, and yet very personable when interacting with me throughout my nerve-wracking legal process. I’m completely satisfied with the outcome of my case. I would hire the Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office again without hesitation. And, I have since recommended them to several friends and acquaintances.”
– TOM W., CLIENT
Don’t wait to contact us | 507.625.5000
Contact us as soon as possible. The sooner you call us and get us on the case, the more time we wil have to prepare your defense. Even if you are not sure you want to hire us, call us and talk with one of our Mankato prostitution and solicitation attorneys. We offer a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. Talk to us and see what we can do for you.