Have you been charged with a prostitution-related offense in Fort Worth, Texas? If so, it’s crucial to understand the complexities of these charges and the potential penalties you may face. With the help of an experienced Fort Worth prostitution defense lawyer, you can navigate the legal system and fight for your rights.
The Fort Worth sex crimes lawyers of Cole Paschall Law fight to protect the rights of individuals throughout Tarrant County. If you face charges of prostitution or other criminal charges, you need Fort Worth’s top-rated trial attorney to handle your case.
Being convicted of prostitution can result in a permanent criminal record and various ancillary repercussions. To discuss your case and its nuances, we invite you to reach out to our Fort Worth office at (817) 477-4100 for a complimentary consultation with one of Texas’s leading defense counsels.
Understanding Prostitution Charges in Fort Worth
Prostitution charges in Fort Worth can range from misdemeanor to felony offenses, with potential penalties including hefty fines and significant jail time. The Texas Penal Code outlines various prostitution-related offenses, such as engaging in prostitution, soliciting prostitution, and agreeing to engage in prostitution. Recognizing the severity of these charges and seeking legal representation from skilled criminal defense attorneys is crucial for achieving a favorable outcome for your case.
In Fort Worth, prostitution or solicitation of sexual conduct for a fee is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Solicitation of prostitution is considered a state jail felony under the Texas Penal Code §43.021. Depending on the specific charges and circumstances, harsher penalties may apply, especially for individuals with prior convictions. The potential consequences of engaging in or soliciting prostitution in Texas include long-term implications that can affect your life, reputation, and future opportunities.
How Our Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You Fight Prostitution Charges
At Cole Paschall Law, our Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys specialize in understanding prostitution charges, gathering evidence for the defense, and formulating effective defense strategies tailored to your specific situation. With our experienced legal representation and guidance, you can navigate the complex legal process and fight for your rights.
The upcoming sections detail how our team can assist in comprehending your charges, collecting evidence, and developing and executing defense strategies to contest your prostitution charges.
Understanding Your Charges
Our criminal attorney, also a skilled criminal defense lawyer, will analyze the specific charges and potential penalties you face, helping you make informed decisions for your future. With the expertise of a criminal lawyer, you can trust our criminal defense team to provide the best possible outcome.
In Texas, engaging in prostitution, soliciting prostitution, and agreeing to engage in prostitution are all considered prostitution-related offenses. Understanding the penalties for these offenses, which can vary from a state jail felony to a first-degree felony, is critical.
With our expert legal analysis, you can navigate the complexities of your charges and prepare for the road ahead.
Gathering Evidence for Defense
Building a strong defense case requires the collection and examination of evidence. Our criminal defense lawyers will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest and analyze the evidence against you to determine the strength of the state’s criminal case. This process may involve examining witness testimonies, physical evidence, and other relevant information.
Our assistance in gathering robust evidence enables you to challenge the prosecution’s case and aim for an optimum outcome for your situation.
Formulating and Implementing Defense Strategies
Our experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyers will:
- Develop and implement effective defense strategies tailored to your specific situation
- Comprehend the charges
- Gather evidence for defense
- Be aware of the pertinent laws.
Crafting a strategic defense plan will allow our attorneys to help you lessen potential penalties and strive for the most favorable outcome possible.
What Constitutes Prostitution in Texas?
In Texas, there are three main acts that constitute prostitution under the law: engaging in prostitution, soliciting prostitution, and agreeing to engage in prostitution. These acts involve offering or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for a fee, as well as offering to pay a fee for sexual conduct.
The upcoming sections will further explore each of these acts and their relation to prostitution charges in Texas.
1. Engaging In Prostitution
Engaging in prostitution involves offering or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for a fee. This can include both the person offering sexual services and the person agreeing to pay for such services.
Understanding that engaging in prostitution is a criminal offense in Texas is important, as those found guilty may face serious penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and long-term consequences for their future.
2. Soliciting Prostitution
Soliciting prostitution refers to offering or agreeing to pay a fee for sexual conduct. This offense targets the “johns,” or individuals who provide payment or services to a sex worker in exchange for sexual services.
Soliciting prostitution is a criminal offense in Texas, and those found guilty may face a range of penalties, from state jail felonies to second-degree felonies, depending on the circumstances.
3. Agreeing To Engage In Prostitution
Agreeing to engage in prostitution involves consenting to participate in a prostitution transaction. This can include both the person offering sexual services and the person agreeing to pay for such services.
Agreeing to engage in prostitution is a criminal offense in Texas, and those found guilty may face a range of penalties, depending on the specific charges and circumstances.
Penalties for a Prostitution Conviction in Fort Worth
Prostitution-related convictions in Fort Worth can carry a range of penalties, from misdemeanors to felonies. The severity of the penalties depends on the specific charges and circumstances of each case.
The upcoming sections will discuss the various penalties associated with different prostitution-related offenses under Texas law, including:
- Promotion of prostitution
- Online promotion of prostitution
- Aggravated online promotion of prostitution
- Compelling prostitution
Promotion of prostitution (Texas Penal Code §43.03)
Promotion of prostitution, as defined in the Texas Penal Code §43.03, is a third-degree felony. This offense involves knowingly acting other than as a prostitute receiving compensation for personally rendered prostitution services.
Penalties for the promotion of prostitution can include imprisonment, fines, and other consequences, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the offense.
Online promotion of prostitution (Texas Penal Code §43.031):
Online promotion of prostitution, as defined in the Texas Penal Code §43.031, is a third-degree felony. This crime entails knowingly owning, investing in, financing, controlling, supervising, or managing a prostitution enterprise.
Penalties for online promotion of prostitution can include imprisonment, fines, and other consequences, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the offense.
Aggravated online promotion of prostitution (Texas Penal Code §43.041):
Aggravated online promotion of prostitution, as defined in the Texas Penal Code §43.041, is a second-degree felony. This offense involves engaging in conduct described by Subsection (a) involving a person younger than 18 years of age engaging in prostitution.
Penalties for aggravated online promotion of prostitution can include imprisonment, fines, and other consequences, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the offense.
Compelling prostitution (Texas Penal Code §43.05):
Compelling prostitution, as defined in the Texas Penal Code §43.05, is a first-degree felony. This crime involves knowingly causing a person to engage in prostitution through the use of threats, force, violence, or fraud.
Penalties for compelling prostitution can include imprisonment, fines, and other consequences, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the offense.
State jail felony
A state jail felony is a classification of crime in Texas that generally involves property or drug offenses. Punishment for these offenses is typically between 180 days and 2 years of confinement in a state jail facility.
Penalties for a state jail felony can include imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Third-degree felony
A third-degree felony is a type of criminal offense that is deemed to be less severe than other felonies, yet still carries significant penalties. These can include imprisonment, fines, and other consequences, which are determined based on the jurisdiction and the nature of the crime.
Penalties for a third-degree felony may involve both incarceration and a fine. Jail time could range between 2 – 10 years, and the accused could be fined up to $10,000.
Second-degree felony
A second-degree felony is a criminal offense that is punishable by a jail sentence of two to twenty years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Penalties for a second-degree felony can be severe and have long-lasting consequences for individuals convicted of such crimes.
First-degree felony
A first-degree felony is a criminal offense that carries the most severe penalties under Texas law. Punishments for first-degree felonies can include 5 to 99 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Individuals convicted of first-degree felonies face significant consequences and long-term implications for their future.
Fighting Charges of Prostitution – Legal Defenses to Prostitution
There are several common legal defenses to prostitution charges, including entrapment, mistaken intentions, lack of evidence, and police misconduct.
The upcoming sections will elaborate on each of these defenses and their application to your specific case.
Entrapment
Entrapment occurs when undercover police officers induce someone to engage in criminal activity that they would not have otherwise pursued. This defense can be used in prostitution cases where law enforcement officers use deception, pressure, or other tactics to convince the accused to commit the crime.
If entrapment can be proven, the charges against the accused may be dismissed or reduced.
Mistaken Intentions
Mistaken intentions refer to situations where the accused did not intend to engage in prostitution. This defense can be used when the accused was not actively seeking to engage in prostitution or did not understand the nature of the transaction. If it can be proven that the accused had no intention of engaging in prostitution, the charges may be dismissed or reduced.
Lack of Evidence
Lack of evidence can be a defense if the prosecution cannot prove the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In prostitution cases, this may involve:
- Challenging the credibility of witnesses
- Disputing the accuracy of evidence
- Presenting alternative explanations for the circumstances surrounding the charges.
If the prosecution cannot prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, the accused may be acquitted or the charges may be dismissed.
Police Misconduct
Police misconduct can involve violations of the accused’s civil rights or other improper actions by law enforcement officers. In prostitution cases, this may include illegal search and seizure, falsification of evidence, or other violations of the accused’s constitutional rights under criminal law.
If police misconduct can be proven, the charges against the accused may be dismissed or reduced.
How Cole Paschall Law Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help
Cole Paschall Law criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing expert legal representation and guidance for individuals facing prostitution charges in Fort Worth. With a team of former state and federal prosecutors, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for your rights.
If you’re facing prostitution charges, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation and let our skilled defense attorneys help you build a strong defense for your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Fort Worth Prostitution Defense Lawyers
If you or someone you know is facing prostitution charges in Fort Worth, seeking legal representation promptly is crucial. We encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Fort Worth prostitution defense lawyers to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Don’t let a prostitution charge derail your future – contact us today and let our dedicated legal team fight for your rights.
