Defending Prostitution Charges in New York City
Getting arrested for prostitution or solicitation in New York City can be scary and overwhelming. As a major metro area, NYC prosecutes these charges aggressively, and potential penalties here are severe. However, experienced NYC prostitution defense lawyers can help. They know how to build strong legal defenses to get charges reduced or dismissed.
Common Legal Defenses
There are a few common defenses NYC lawyers use to fight prostitution and solicitation charges:
You Were Misidentified Cases of mistaken identity are more common than you may think. If police wrongly assumed you were soliciting sex when you weren’t, this can invalidate the entire case. Skilled lawyers dig into the evidence to prove police got the wrong person.
There Was No Agreement To convict you, prosecutors must prove there was an actual agreement to exchange sex for money or something of value. If communications between you and an undercover cop were vague, with no clear offer, your lawyer can argue there was never a formal agreement in place.
You Were Entrapped In some cases, undercover cops use coercive tactics that could be considered entrapment. This occurs when an otherwise law-abiding person was unfairly induced into committing a crime. Showing you would never have broken the law if not for police pressure can defeat the charges.
The Police Made Procedural Errors Prostitution stings must follow strict legal protocols. If undercover officers failed to identify themselves or read you your rights properly, this can provide grounds to get evidence thrown out. Your attorney will aggressively scrutinize the investigation for any civil rights violations or sloppy police work.
Possible Penalties
Potential maximum penalties for prostitution offenses in New York City include:
- Up to 3 months jail for simple prostitution
- Up to 1 year jail for repeat offenses
- Fines up to $1,000 per charge
However, experienced NYC lawyers rarely let clients serve long jail terms for non-violent prostitution charges. Through negotiating plea deals or winning dismissals at hearings, they aim to help defendants avoid convictions and move on with their lives.
Finding the Right Lawyer
If you or a loved one face prostitution or solicitation charges in the NYC area, don’t go it alone. Connect with a qualified local defense lawyer instead. Look for attorneys with proven experience handling these types of cases in NYC courts. They will know all the possible defenses and how to craft a winning strategy tailored to the specifics of your case.With an experienced prostitution defense lawyer on your side, you can feel confident your rights will be protected each step of the way. They will aggressively defend your freedom so you can put this difficult situation behind you.
Resources:How Undercover Cops Invent Fake Crimes