Prostitution

While prostitution may be legal in some states, it is illegal in Florida.  Recent enactment of laws aimed at deterring human trafficking have created enhanced penalties for individuals arrested for soliciting prostitution.  First offenders still face a misdemeanor, however second offenders face a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a third offense is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.  More realistically, however, a person convicted of soliciting prostitution must pay a $5,000 fine and perform 100 hours of community service.  A second conviction requires imposition of a minimum mandatory 10-day jail sentence.  Additionally, if the person was in a car when the solicitation took place, the car may be impounded for up to 60 days.

          These serious penalties demand the attention and dedicated defense that Erick Cruz provides.  Oftentimes, an arrest for prostitution occurs after a police officer, working undercover as a prostitute, entraps a person into propositioning her.  Typically, the officer will look attractive and dress provocatively in order to get your attention.  Once you approach the undercover officer, even the briefest of conversations will be interpreted as a solicitation.  Another investigative method used by police to make arrests for prostitution include placing seductive ads online and on magazines.  Once you respond to these advertisings, the police will be ready to pounce on you and arrest you.   

Erick knows how to defend these cases and help you avoid the serious consequences and embarrassment that follow an arrest for prostitution.  Erick will make sure that the prosecutors comply with their discovery obligations and will demand that the prosecutors turn over all evidence that they have against you.  This may include undercover video surveillance and audio recordings that capture the interaction between you and the undercover.  

After careful analysis of the evidence, evaluating the facts and circumstances of the case, Erick will explore how to get the case against you dismissed.  This may include arguing that the undercover officer entrapped you or arguing that your proposal was in jest or even contesting that you solicited the undercover officer. 

Typically, for first time offenders, the dismissal of the charges comes after you enter into and successfully complete a first offender program.  Upon completion of the program and having the charges dismissed, you may be eligible to have your case sealed or expunged.  This will prevent a private employer from discovering your arrest and will allow you to legally deny the arrest on a job application.

If this is not your first arrest, don’t despair, Erick will still try to find a way to have the case against you dismissed or at the very minimum obtain a reduced sentence and avoid jail time.  Typically, even if you have previously been arrested, Erick will be successful in convincing the prosecutors to resolve the case without jail or probation and the serious consequences that follow a prostitution arrest.

Call Erick to discuss your case with him and find out how to get your case dismissed or sentence reduced and arrest record sealed or expunged.