Prostitution Lawyer in Houston, TX

Prostitution is a serious criminal offense, and Texas law punishes multiple parties who are associated with prostitution. The Texas Penal Code clearly defines the crimes of prostitution, solicitation of prostitution, and promotion of prostitution. As a result, prostitutes, those who solicit the services of a prostitute, and those who manage or promote prostitution can all be prosecuted. The charges for prostitution can range from a misdemeanor to a felony for repeat offenders. If you have been charged with prostitution, you need excellent legal representation. You may be able to raise the legal defenses of entrapment, due process, or duress. A skilled criminal defense lawyer should be able to examine the facts and the evidence against you and find the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

If you are facing prostitution charges in Texas, you should not hesitate to contact Mary E. Conn & Associates. Our team of Houston prostitution lawyers wants to help you defend yourself and protect your rights. Being charged with any kind of sexual offense can ruin a person’s reputation, and our skilled attorneys want to advocate for our clients and raise any relevant defenses that will help their cases. You can trust our experienced attorneys to treat you with respect and provide dedicated legal representation throughout the entire legal process. We’re just a phone call away. 

Texas Prostitution Laws

The Texas Penal Code defines prostitution and similar offenses that are connected to prostitution. The law allows multiple parties connected to prostitution to face penalties for their involvement. The three major legal definitions for prostitution are found below:

Prostitution

According to Section 43.02(a) of the Texas Penal Code: 

“A person commits an offense if the person knowingly offers or agrees to receive a fee from another to engage in sexual conduct.” 

A prostitute can be arrested without performing any sexual acts because the offense only requires an agreement to engage in prostitution.

Solicitation of Prostitution

According to Section 43.021(a) of the Texas Penal Code:

“A person commits an offense if the person knowingly offers or agrees to pay a fee to another person for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with that person or another.” 

This legal definition allows anyone who seeks the services of a prostitute to be charged.

Promotion of Prostitution

According to Section 43.03(a) of the Texas Penal Code:

“A person commits an offense if, acting other than as a prostitute receiving compensation for personally rendered prostitution services, he or she knowingly: (1) receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement to participate in the proceeds of prostitution; or (2) solicits another to engage in sexual conduct with another person for compensation.”

This legal definition allows anyone who plays the role of a pimp or a madam to be charged.

The punishment for prostitution depends on the charge that you have received. Prostitution is usually charged as a Class B misdemeanor for first-time offenders, but three or more prostitution convictions can lead to a state jail felony charge. Depending on the circumstances, solicitation of prostitution can be charged as a state jail felony or a second-degree felony. Finally, promotion of prostitution can be charged as either a third-degree felony or a second-degree felony based on the facts. An experienced prostitution attorney in Houston, TX should be able to relay the severity of each of these charges and explain the sentences associated with each.

Possible Defenses Against Prostitution Charges

If you have been charged with prostitution, solicitation of prostitution, or promotion of prostitution, you need a strong legal advocate who can fight for your rights. You may be able to raise a relevant legal defense in your case. Your Houston prostitution attorney could argue that any of the following defenses applies to you:

• Entrapment: If you can prove that you would not normally engage in or solicit prostitution, then you may be able to argue that you were coerced to do so by the police in a sting operation.

• Due Process: You may be able to weaken the prosecution’s case against you by arguing that they violated your due process rights. For example, you could use due process as a defense if no person read you your Miranda Rights upon arrest.
• Duress: If you engaged in prostitution because someone was threatening you with violence, you would most likely be able to raise the defense of duress.

A defendant facing prosecution for prostitution should do everything in their power to defend themselves. Seeking sound legal counsel and strong legal representation is important for your defense strategy. Call us now to discuss your prostitution case and any possible defenses that you may have.

Contact the Experienced Houston Prostitution Lawyers With Mary E. Conn & Associates Today if You Have Been Charged With Prostitution

Sexual offenses are very serious matters that can result in harsh punishments. In Texas, you could be prosecuted for prostitution, solicitation of prostitution, or promotion of prostitution. If you have been charged with any of these sexual offenses, your reputation and future are on the line. You should not hesitate to contact a Houston prostitution attorney who has experience defending people against prostitution charges. You should be able to work with your Houston prostitution lawyer and raise any relevant legal defenses you may have. Reach out to our skilled Houston prostitution attorneys to see how they can help you.

Mary E. Conn & Associates has a team of Houston prostitution lawyers who are experienced, dedicated, and skilled. Our firm specializes in criminal defense to protect the rights of anyone in Texas facing criminal charges. You can request a free phone consultation to discuss your prostitution charges. To speak with someone on our legal team, you can call (713) 357-4190 or fill out our contact form today.