I Was Arrested For Soliciting A Prostitute; What Do I Do?

If you have been arrested for soliciting a prostitute in California, there’s some important things you should know.  The Penal Code section is 647(b) and it states:

Every person who commits any of the following acts is guilty
of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor:
(a) Who solicits anyone to engage in or who engages in lewd or
dissolute conduct in any public place or in any place open to the
public or exposed to public view.
(b) Who solicits or who agrees to engage in or who engages in any
act of prostitution. A person agrees to engage in an act of
prostitution when, with specific intent to so engage, he or she
manifests an acceptance of an offer or solicitation to so engage,
regardless of whether the offer or solicitation was made by a person
who also possessed the specific intent to engage in prostitution. No
agreement to engage in an act of prostitution shall constitute a
violation of this subdivision unless some act, in addition to the
agreement, is done within this state in furtherance of the commission
of an act of prostitution by the person agreeing to engage in that
act. As used in this subdivision, “prostitution” includes any lewd
act between persons for money or other consideration.

HOW YOU CAN GET CAUGHT:

Many police agencies in CA will post ads on sites such as “Backpage.com” or “Craigslist.com”.  These ads will usually have photos of scantily clad women or attractive men.  This ads will say usually have language indicating that the party is willing to meet to engage in exotic interaction.  The police will record any communication that occurs, specifically for sex acts for money. Police will also sometimes place female officers as decoys near hotels.

WHAT TO DO WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT STEPS IN:

Cooperate with them; but do not answer any of their questions and request to speak to an attorney.  This crime is punishable by 6 months in county jail.

If you or a loved one have been charged with Penal Code 647(b)contact the experienced Southern California criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich.  We’ve have been helping criminal defendants for over 40 years.  Call us at (888) 280-6839.