Soliciting for a prostitute is defined in Section 720 ILCS 5/11‑15 of the Criminal Code as:


(a) Any person who performs any of the following acts commits soliciting for a prostitute:
(1) Solicits another for the purpose of prostitution; or
(2) Arranges or offers to arrange a meeting of persons for the purpose of prostitution; or
(3) Directs another to a place knowing such direction is for the purpose of prostitution. (b) Sentence. Soliciting for a prostitute is a Class A misdemeanor. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this Section, or of any combination of such number of convictions under this Section and Sections 11‑14, 11‑17, 11‑18, 11‑18.1 and 11‑19 of this Code is guilty of a Class 4 felony. When a person has one or more prior convictions, the information or indictment charging that person shall state such prior conviction so as to give notice of the State's intention to treat the charge as a felony. The fact of such prior conviction is not an element of the offense and may not be disclosed to the jury during trial unless otherwise permitted by issues properly raised during such trial.
(b‑5) A person who violates this Section within 1,000 feet of real property comprising a school commits a Class 4 felony.
(c) A peace officer who arrests a person for a violation of this Section may impound any vehicle used by the person in the commission of the offense. The person may recover the vehicle from the impound after a minimum of 2 hours after arrest upon payment of a fee of $200. The fee shall be distributed to the unit of government whose peace officers made the arrest for a violation of this Section. This $200 fee includes the costs incurred by the unit of government to tow the vehicle to the impound. Upon the presentation of a signed court order by the defendant whose vehicle was impounded showing that the defendant has been acquitted of the offense of soliciting for a prostitute or that the charges have been dismissed against the defendant for that offense, the municipality shall refund the $200 fee to the defendant.

 

Solicitation Lawyers

Solicitation is the criminal charge where a person arranges, offers, solicits, or directs another for an act of prostitution. Prostitution is the criminal charge where a person agrees, offers, or performs a sexual act for something of value. Law enforcement agencies vigorously enforce solicitation and prostitution laws. These charges are generally misdemeanors, but they may qualify as felonies under certain circumstances. Illinois law and local ordinances generally allow law enforcement agencies to impound vehicles allegedly used in the commission of these types of crimes. A person is usually required to pay a substantial fee in order to recover the impounded vehicle.

 

A solicitation conviction may result in serious consequences for a person’s professional and personal life. The best outcome for a person facing a solicitation or prostitution charge is to convince the prosecution to dismiss the case. However, if the prosecution is unwilling to dismiss the case, our experienced attorneys can review your case to determine whether a defense may apply. In most cases, the prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, so if an agreement cannot be reached with the prosecutor or judge, your criminal defense attorney at Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC will be properly prepared to take your case to trial.

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