Solicitation and Prostitution Attorney in Dallas

Prostitution is among the few crimes where there may be two defendants on both sides of a transaction: the person providing the sexual services and the person paying for those services. The act of exchanging sex for money is illegal in Texas. The crime is known as “solicitation of prostitution.”

If you are convicted of solicitation or prostitution, you can face significant fines and may even spend time behind bars. A conviction can negatively affect you for the rest of your life. Repeat offenders may even be required to register as sex offenders in the Texas sex offender registry.

Prostitution, solicitation of prostitution, compelling prostitution, promotion of prostitution, and aggravated prostitution are all sex crimes that will be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the alleged incident. If you are convicted of any of these prostitution-related charges in Texas, it can lead to you having a criminal record, making it difficult to get a job. Employers have a right to run a background check on you, and if it shows criminal activity – even one charge for solicitation – you may not get a job offer. Sex charges such as prostitution and solicitation can also damage your reputation and public image in the community.

In addition to the embarrassment and shame caused by being arrested for a sex crime, if you are convicted of prostitution or solicitation, you face:

A sentence that could include up to two (2) years of jail time
Heavy fines
A combination of incarceration and fines

If you have been charged with solicitation or prostitution in Dallas, it is crucial to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney. The defense lawyers at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter represent clients accused of prostitution, solicitation, and other types of sex crimes in the greater Dallas area. We can fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter will handle your prostitution charge with the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality. We will thoroughly assess the unique facts of your case and explain your case and your legal options. Call (214) 845-7007 today to schedule a confidential consultation so you learn more about how we can help you.

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Do I Need a Solicitation and Prostitution Lawyer?

It’s important to remember that charges alone do not equal a conviction. In Texas and throughout the United States, a defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty. You are entitled to dispute all the accusations made against you. When facing solicitation or prostitution charges in Dallas, the best thing you can do is hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

With prostitution cases, an attorney can use a wide range of defenses on your behalf. These defenses offer a solid chance of reducing or dismissing the charge entirely. Because a significant number of arrests for soliciting a prostitute stem from sting operations, many defenses, besides mistaken identity, involve demonstrating that the police officer in the sting operation lied. Another defense is that you were mistaken about the discussion that allegedly involved an exchange of money for sex. It’s not uncommon for police in “vice” units that investigate prostitution to be overzealous about arresting people for prostitution. Police have been known to do so even when the evidence weakens.

The defense of entrapment is sometimes used to defend prostitution cases. Entrapment occurs when the police persuade a person – who was not otherwise going to commit the crime – to engage in prostitution or solicitation. Another common defense involves failing to protect your rights, which can include failing to inform you of your right to a criminal defense lawyer or providing a lawyer upon request.

Prostitution and solicitation cases often have some audio or video recording. Your lawyer can obtain this evidence and challenge it. A lawyer can also investigate an officer’s background to see if they have been accused of improper behavior or reprimanded over their unethical investigation of prostitution cases.

Why Choose Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter to Handle My Case?

Solicitation and Prostitution Attorney in Dallas Attorney Mark T. Lassiter, the founder of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, has decades of experience helping people of Dallas defend themselves against solicitation, prostitution, and other sex crime charges, and he is prepared to fight for you. Having been a prosecutor for the Dallas County District Attorney’s office, Mr. Lassister knows the ins and outs of the criminal justice system. He can draw on his extensive experience in building the best possible defense for you.

Mr. Lassiter has plenty of qualifications and experience that he can bring to your prostitution case, including but not limited to:

Former Dallas County Prosecutor
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
American Association for Justice
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Dallas Association for Young Lawyers – Criminal Law Committee
Board Member under Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Elected as a Texas SuperLawyer
Listed in the Who’s Who of America
Named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers

At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, our Dallas prostitution and solicitation lawyers understand the implications of what you are facing with your criminal charge, and we will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and see that you are acquitted of all charges. If you have been accused of solicitation, prostitution, or a related sex crime in Dallas, contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter as soon as possible. The sooner we can get started on your case, the better your chances of a favorable resolution.

Types of Solicitation and Prostitution Cases We Handle

At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we handle cases involving all types of sex crimes related to prostitution, including:

Prostitution: Knowingly engaging in the sale of sex or the solicitation of sex for money.
Solicitation of Prostitution: Attempting to purchase sex in a public place. This is a Class B Misdemeanor. Repeat offenders face a potential of enhancement to Class A Misdemeanor or State Jail Felony status.
Compelling Prostitution: The charge applied to people who force others to work as prostitutes or can be applied to a person who forces a minor to be a prostitute. First Degree Felony charges will apply to individuals who compel a child into prostitution, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 99 years. Second-degree felony charges will apply, which could mean a prison sentence of 2 to 20 years if convicted.
Promotion of Prostitution: Knowingly receiving money as per the terms of an agreement involving prostitution or soliciting a person for sex with another person. Informally referred to as pimping, promotion of prostitution is a serious offense in Texas, and it can carry third-degree felony ramifications of two to ten years of prison time. Offenders convicted of compelling the act of prostitution may face even more substantial punishments, including incarceration lasting up to 20 years.
Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution: An offense typically charged to individuals who operate a criminal enterprise that involves prostitution. If someone is involved in the ownership, management, investment, or control of any organization that involves more than one prostitute, they can be charged with this crime. The operation of an escort service, brothel, massage parlor, after-hours spa, or another business where sex is sold can result in the operator being charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution.

Under Texas law, an individual commits the offense of prostitution if they knowingly offer to engage, agree to engage, or engage in sexual conduct for a fee or if they solicit another in a public place to engage with the person in sexual conduct for hire. The classification of this offense is as follows:

Class B Misdemeanor: First offense; may receive jail term up to 180 days. May have to pay fines of up to $2,000.
Class A Misdemeanor: Second or third offense.
State Jail Felony: Fourth or subsequent offense; those convicted of this sort of crime can receive state jail felon status, face jail terms that last two years, and fines approaching $10,000.
Second-Degree Felony: If the individual solicited is younger than 18, regardless of whether the alleged offender knew their age when they committed the offense.

Contact a Dallas Prostitution and Solicitation Lawyer

Suppose you have been charged with prostitution, solicitation, or another sex crime. In that case, you must contact a skilled criminal defense attorney today to ensure they are protected throughout the process. The experienced Dallas solicitation and prostitution lawyers at Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter will aggressively protect your future by helping you fight the allegations against you.

If you need the assistance of the skilled and compassionate sex crimes defense attorney in Dallas, contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter today at (214) 845-7007 to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll get started on your prostitution case immediately.

TESTIMONIALS

Recommendation for Mark LassiterI am pleased to write a letter of recommendation. I highly recommend Mark Lassiter to others who are seeking such assistance. His representation allowed me to do very little in my case. It was Mark’s proven expertise and his legal knowledge that was valuable in getting my case dismissed. In short, I recommend Mark enthusiastically without reservation and I do believe he would be a valuable asset to you.

- Name Redacted

dear Markplease accept this letter on my and Susan’s behalf. there is a powerful message and testimony we would like to share with you for the first time.for over a year the weight of what happened to Reid was heavy on our souls. at first we held great anger, resentment and disgust toward Angel (the passenger). it became evident after turning 21 the Angel has a severe alcohol problem which my son nor us fully understood. The arrest also brought us great disappointment, frustration and disheartenment toward Reid.We have found that God often surprises us with his answers to our prayers. Prior to the arrest was had been in prayer that God help turn Reid away from selfishness, childishness and destructive ways. We prayed that God move to change him toward everlasting values and better choices in his life. We believe that God answered that prayer with the arrest. We blamed ourselves for bringing this calamity but understood it would take something this powerful to reach him. There is no doubt in our minds this ordeal has placed a permanent imprint on his soul.during the many delays associated with this case we were able to put forgiveness in our hearts toward Angel. Also during the many delays the full weight of the case in our and Reid’s mind triggered conversations pertaining to life decisions and direction. Time allowed us the opportunity to be rid of the noise and cloudiness of our emotions. We believe this to be a part of the master plan that God was overseeing.Only today did the full story become revealed. During this case with all the odds against us can we say without question that God was in it. How else could the series of events occurred within the judicial process that could put the opportunity in to your mind that there was a way to victory. The entire morning Susan and i were in fervent prayer even after your told us we had only a 25% chance of winning.Grace is the receipt of a blessing that is undeserved. Reid did not deserve to win today. We all are eternally marked by the message of grace given to us and you were the instrument that brought the gift to our house. Thank you from bottom of our souls and may God bless and keep you all of your days.

- Name Redacted

Dear Mr. Lassiter,Today you saved my son’s life. When he received a DWI, it broke my heart because I knew it would be on his record forever. It would limit his options in life. He would be paying for his stupid mistake for the rest of his life. At 21 years of age he was overwhelmed with the depth of the problem he created for himself.I decided to find him the best lawyer in Dallas, and I did. I researched lawyers for two days, and then I found you. I knew from the moment I read about you that you were the one we needed. When I met you, I knew instantly that I had complete confidence in you. Even if the result had ended with my son being guilty, I would have had peace knowing that he had had THE BEST lawyer.Listening to you “own” the courtroom today was amazing. You told us in the morning that we only had about 25% chance to win; however, by the middle of the afternoon the case was over before the prosecutors even finished, and we won! What an incredible lawyer you are!I will be grateful forever to you. Your work has given my son a second chance. He left the courtroom today with a whole new perspective on life…thanks to you!Very sincerely,

- Susan Ellis

unless you are already a petty criminal with countless B and C misdemeanors and a misdemeanor A pending, a DWI charge might not really matter much – for all the others counts: Fight it with all you got – get the best professional to your side you can find!Why should you? A simple google search “Texas DWI penalties” will give you an idea what you are looking at: prison, probation, fines, classes, ignition interlock, insurance rate skyrockets and a criminal record for life (yes – this can happen even for a first time DWI in Texas) Now if you read until this point you probably are charged with a DWI (or simply board) and you are shopping for a lawyer – so some basic guidance:a) Same as in real life: You want to be surrounded by people who know what they are talking about. Nobody likes people who constantly brag around, through around the usual business buzz words which doesn’t mean anything. So: Get somebody who is specialized in this field, means if 50% or more of his work is in the field of defending DWI’s that’s probably a good indicator– Mark is one of them – talk to him you will see!b) Educate yourself – thanks to a wonderful innovation by DARPA (which you are using in this moment) you can read all about it: What happened the night before, what’s a SFT, what is a legal stop, how does an Intoxilyzer 5000 work and what flaws does it have, possible plea bargain options (not so tempting ones in TX anyway) – read the stuff, it’s out there and discuss it with your attorney – if he doesn’t want or can’t answer your questions, that’s a pretty good indicator that your sitting in the wrong office, run!– Mark WILL answer your questions – and I’m convinced you cannot surprise him with a question in your case that he can’t answer or will find an answer for you!c) Your lawyer should – more or less – from the beginning be willing to take your case to Trial, all the way. What do you have to lose? If you are a BAC 0.28 candidate and you plea it down to a misdemeanor B it technically looks better on paper – but it will still follow you for life (most employers wouldn’t even consider the difference or know it – a DWI is a DWI…) If you are a BAC 0.09 candidate your chances are even better – (did you know the Intoxilyzer 5000 gives himself a +-0.02 calibration margin? What now, is a BAC 0.09 and hour after driving now under the legal limit? Guess what, the state will state “off course NOT! The magic machine proved he’s Intoxicated and guilty!” That’s why you need a lawyer on your side who is willing to take it to trial!– Mark is a trial lawyer – those people don’t want to plea out, they need the courtroom as their stage, that’s what they love to do, that’s what they are good at – so let him do it for you!d) Money / Costs – completely neglect. This is not the time for price comparison. You are not out there to shop for new hardwood floor for your living room – you are out there to get the best possible outcome in a situation which initial will hurt you if convicted pretty bad (financially), possible cost you your job, destroy your reputation and will follow you around for the rest of your natural life.– Mark will not overcharge you for his service, in my opinion you are getting a great deal. If you have the feeling you cannot afford a lawyer like Mark put it into perspective: if you hire a $500 lawyer and plead guilty maybe to a DWI misdemeanor B, you will pay much more over the years in court costs, classes, probation fees, DPS surcharges, insurance and and and… But if you hire Mark, you have one of the best at your side, you have a real chance – off course Mark isn’t a magic wizard who can make everything go away in a moment’s notice, but 5,10,20 years down the road you don’t want to think “oh boy, I wish I would have fought this thing more aggressively back then…” I was already a bit into my case when I met Mark. Mark has a can do attitude, does not try to beat around the bush and most importantly: He looks at things, tries different avenues, seeks out weaknesses in the case base on the evidence presented – if you meet him, you will have the same experience. During our meetings we discussed alternatives and other options e.g. expert witnesses, jury trial, bench trial, plea agreement (even if he didn’t like that – Mark doesn’t want to plea, he wants to win for his clients)And here is the outcome:A clear acquittal – NOT GUILTY(even better than a dismissal which technically can be reopened by the DA within the statute of limitations – if I understood that right – Not guilty means you are not guilty, case expunged – that’s the end of it!)Mark’s services helped me to get the best possible outcome you can expect when you are charged with a (DWI / DUI) crime and I hope I will never see him again….. (under such circumstances J ) –

- Daniel

I would never use or recommend anyone else for anybody else for a criminal manner.

- Cory M.

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