A prostitution or solicitation charge can upend your life in ways you never anticipated. Beyond the legal consequences, you are facing potential damage to your reputation, your relationships, and your career. If you’re reading this, you are likely searching for answers during one of the most stressful periods of your life. It’s important to remember that a charge isn’t a conviction, and with the right Tacoma sex crimes defense lawyer, you can have options for moving forward.
How Washington State Defines Prostitution
In Washington, prostitution encompasses everything from offering sexual conduct for a fee to actually engaging in this conduct, including any negotiation or agreement along the way. The law applies equally regardless of gender, and it makes no distinction between making an offer and following through with the act itself. Prostitution is classified as a misdemeanor offense.
On the other side of the transaction, patronizing a prostitute—commonly called solicitation—involves offering to pay, agreeing to pay, or actually paying a fee for sexual conduct. This is also a misdemeanor.
When a minor is involved, the stakes increase. Soliciting anyone under eighteen for sexual conduct constitutes commercial sexual abuse of a minor, a class B felony. Claiming you didn’t know the person’s age won’t work as a defense unless you can demonstrate you made a genuine effort to verify their age through official identification.
Penalties for a Prostitution Conviction in Tacoma
A misdemeanor prostitution conviction carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Patronizing a prostitute often results in similar penalties.
Washington law does provide certain protections worth noting. Trafficking victims can raise an affirmative defense by demonstrating they engaged in prostitution as a direct result of being trafficked. Additionally, anyone who seeks emergency assistance for assault, rape, or violent offenses cannot be charged with prostitution, whether they are seeking help for themselves or someone else.
Why Legal Representation Matters in These Cases
Prostitution cases often hinge on nuances that only an attorney can recognize: questionable police tactics, weak evidence, or procedural errors that could get your charges reduced or dismissed. A Tacoma prostitution defense lawyer can identify the optimal defense strategies, negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf, and protect your rights throughout the process.
Depending on the facts of your case, your attorney can leverage several potential defenses, such as:
- Entrapment: Arguing that undercover officers induced you to commit a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise committed
- Constitutional violations: Challenging how evidence was obtained through illegal stops or searches
- No agreement for a fee: Demonstrating that no actual exchange or agreement for payment occurred
- Mistaken identity or alibi: Proving you were not present or weren’t the person involved
- Trafficking: Presenting evidence that you were a victim of trafficking rather than a willing participant
Perhaps most importantly, having a lawyer means having someone in your corner who can advocate for your future. The Law Offices of Mark S. Treyz has built a practice around protecting Tacoma residents facing these sensitive criminal allegations. Mark S. Treyz handles each case with the confidentiality it demands, working to challenge the evidence against you while keeping your personal matters out of the public eye whenever possible. Contact us today at (253) 272-8666 to start building your defense.