Find Reliable Legal Counsel for Charges of Sexual Solicitation in Pekin IL
In Illinois, it’s illegal to solicit the services of a sex worker. If caught doing so, you’re stuck dealing with some potentially steep fines and jailtime. However, in circumstances of misunderstandings or entrapment, you can have charges of sexual solicitation in Pekin IL dropped. But the only way you’re going to prove your case to a court of law is with the help of a criminal law professional. Be sure to give the team at Borsberry Law a call today.
Sexual Solicitation and Its Penalties
According to Illinois law, sexual solicitation is the exchange of money or valuables in expectation of sexual acts in return. Officers can charge you with sexual solicitation after the act or during the planning of the act through in-person conversation, phone calls or online interaction. If charged as a first-time offender of sexual solicitation, it’s considered a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year jail time and up to $2,500 in fines. However, that misdemeanor can quickly turn into a Class 4 felony under the following circumstances:
- You are a repeat offender
- You solicit sex from a minor
- The solicitation occurred within 1,000 feet of a school
- You solicit sex from an individual with a profound intellectual disability
In any of these scenarios, you can receive a punishment of up to three years in prison and a max of $25,000 in fines.
Legal Strategies for Fighting Guilty Rulings
The circumstances surrounding your supposed crime of sexual solicitation in Pekin IL determine the best legal strategy for your defense. After all, getting a guilty conviction can have long-reaching consequences outside jail time and fines, affecting your ability to work, find a home, get a loan and more. As such, Borsberry Law can offer several defense strategies, such as:
- Mistaken Solicitation – Accidents happen! Even sexual solicitation can be accidental. If we can prove specific accidental engagement in sexual solicitation, the prosecution will drop charges. For example, if you unknowingly pay for services in a massage parlor prostitution operation, it’s mistaken solicitation.
- Not Enough Evidence – For charges to stick, there needs to be overwhelming evidence that stands in contradiction of your defense. However, if evidence cannot prove, beyond a doubt, you were aware of your actions of solicitation or that you took said actions in the first place, the case for your guilt quickly loses steam.
- Entrapment – Officers or undercover agents often set up “sting operations” to catch those attempting to engage in sexual solicitation. However, agents cannot force you into a situation unwillingly. If we can prove coercion of engaging in negotiations with a prostitute is true, this can be a significant blow to the prosecution’s case.
Talk with a Criminal Lawyer
When it comes to proving your innocence of sexual solicitation in Pekin IL, count on legal professionals at Borsberry Law. And for help with other legal matters involving family law, criminal law, child custody and more, call us at 309-637-9000 to set up a free consultation. Also, our office is located at 203 NE Jefferson St, Peoria, IL 61602.