The laws in New Britain aim to punish people on both sides of a prostitution transaction. This means that a person who buys sex or attempts to do so is just as culpable for this exchange as the seller. In fact, the state’s laws concerning the solicitation of a prostitute offer more serious punishments for buyers than sellers.

However, it is essential to remember that a prosecutor must prove that you solicited a prostitute beyond a reasonable doubt. This includes presenting evidence of an exchange of funds or an offer to do so. There are many potential defenses that a New Britain solicitation lawyer could use against these allegations. At Ruane Attorneys, we are ready to explain the state’s laws, evaluate the prosecutor’s evidence, and formulate a defense to protect your freedom and reputation.

State Laws for Sexual Solicitation

The term “solicitation” does not appear in the Penal Code. Instead, Connecticut General Statute § 53a-83 uses the term “patronizing” to describe the act of visiting a prostitute.

Under this statute, it is illegal for any person to:

• Pay a fee as compensation for sexual contact
• Agree to pay a fee as compensation for sexual contact
• Solicit or request a person to participate in these sorts of arrangements

As a result, law enforcement may make an arrest based on allegations that a person met with a prostitute, arranged to have sex for money, or asked another to participate in these meetings.

Penalties for Solicitation in New Britain

Regardless of the theory that leads to an arrest, state law deals with these matters harshly. Patronizing a prostitute is a class A misdemeanor. This means that a conviction may lead to a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Additionally, the specific statute sets a fine of $2,000. A local solicitation attorney could further explain the laws and penalties for patronizing a prostitute.

Fighting Back Against Patronizing Charges

The possible defenses against solicitation charges depend on how a prosecutor intends to attempt to prove their case in court. For example, suppose the prosecutor alleges that a defendant solicited a prostitute by having sex in exchange for money. In that case, a New Britain lawyer could help contest whether there was an actual exchange of funds or introduce evidence of a non-commercial meetup.

On the other hand, suppose a prosecutor’s case centers around allegations of arranging to exchange sexual conduct for a fee, but the meetup never occurred. In this case, a solicitation attorney could argue that there was no definitive agreement concerning an exchange of money or other property. Speaking with legal counsel now allows them to evaluate the prosecutor’s evidence and develop a defense tailored to the specific case.

Seeking a Plea Deal

Another potential option is to seek out a fair plea deal. Especially when defendants have no prior criminal record, prosecutors and judges may be open to placing a person on probation for a set period of time. The completion of a probation period could see a court dismissing the charges entirely. A lawyer who handles solicitation cases in New Britain could help to determine if this is a viable option.

Reach Out to a New Britain Solicitation Attorney Now

Charges that allege the solicitation of a prostitute in New Britain must be taken seriously. Although these are only misdemeanors, a conviction could require you to pay a $2,000 fine and spend up to a year in jail. At the very least, convictions will create a criminal record that could harm your reputation and make it difficult to obtain employment.

Speak with a New Britain patronizing lawyer today to protect your future. The team at Ruane Attorneys is here to support you throughout every stage of the legal proceedings and represent your interests during all court sessions. Contact us today to set up a consultation about your case.