Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available | Serving All of Texas
Being accused of prostitution or solicitation in Dallas can devastate your reputation, freedom, and future. These charges carry serious criminal penalties under Texas law, including potential felony convictions, heavy fines, and lasting damage to your personal and professional life.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, our experienced Dallas criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended clients against sex crime charges throughout Dallas County and surrounding areas. We understand the sensitive nature of these allegations and how prosecutors build these cases—and the weaknesses we can exploit to protect your rights.
Understanding Texas prostitution and solicitation laws is essential when facing these charges. The state takes these offenses seriously, and recent legislative changes have made penalties even more severe.
Under Texas Penal Code Section 43.02, prostitution occurs when someone knowingly offers or agrees to receive a fee from another person in return for sexual conduct. The law applies to both:
Common scenarios where prostitution charges arise include:
Solicitation charges occur when someone knowingly offers or agrees to pay another person for sexual conduct under Texas Penal Code Section 43.021. Texas significantly increased penalties for solicitation in 2021, making first-time offenses a state jail felony rather than a Class A misdemeanor.
Under the updated Texas Penal Code, solicitation now carries:
These changes took effect September 1, 2021, making Texas the first state to classify first-time solicitation as a felony offense.
A prostitution or solicitation conviction creates life-altering consequences that extend far beyond criminal penalties. The impact affects multiple areas of your life:
| Consequence | Prostitution | Solicitation |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Penalty | Class B misdemeanor | State jail felony |
| Jail Time | Up to 180 days | 180 days to 2 years |
| Fines | Up to $2,000 | Up to $10,000 |
| Permanent Record | Yes | Yes |
| Employment Impact | Severe | Severe |
Long-term consequences include:
Our criminal defense team uses proven strategies to challenge prostitution and solicitation charges. We examine every aspect of your case to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence.
Law enforcement frequently uses undercover sting operations to arrest individuals for solicitation. However, these operations must follow strict legal guidelines. Entrapment occurs when police:
Our attorneys carefully review sting operation evidence to determine if police crossed legal boundaries. We’ve successfully argued entrapment defenses in cases where officers:
🔹 Initiated contact and suggested illegal activity
🔹 Persisted after initial rejection
🔹 Offered unusually attractive terms
🔹 Used coercive tactics
Many prostitution arrests result from misinterpreted innocent behavior. We investigate the actual circumstances to prove our clients had legitimate, non-criminal purposes for their actions, such as:
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. When police violate these rights, we file motions to suppress evidence including:
Successful suppression motions often lead to case dismissals when prosecutors lose critical evidence.
Many prostitution and solicitation cases rely on thin circumstantial evidence. Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
We challenge weak evidence by demonstrating:
For cases involving online sting operations and Listcrawler arrests, we examine digital evidence for gaps and inconsistencies that create reasonable doubt.
The moments following your arrest are critical to your defense. Your actions can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
Exercise your right to remain silent immediately. Police will try to get you to explain your actions, but anything you say can be used against you in court. Common mistakes include:
Simply state: “I want to speak with my attorney” and say nothing else until we arrive.
Time is critical in prostitution and solicitation cases. Early intervention by experienced criminal defense attorneys can:
Don’t wait to see what happens. Contact us now at (972) 528-0116 for immediate assistance.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy brings over 20 years of criminal defense experience to sex crime cases in Dallas. Our aggressive approach has resulted in numerous dismissals and reduced charges for clients facing prostitution and solicitation allegations.
Our experience includes handling various types of prostitution and solicitation cases throughout Dallas County, from simple misdemeanor charges to complex felony allegations involving sting operations and entrapment issues.
We treat every client with dignity and respect while fighting aggressively to protect their future.
Our comprehensive sex crime defense practice handles related charges that often accompany prostitution and solicitation cases:
| Offense | Description | Penalty Range |
|---|---|---|
| Online Solicitation | Using internet to solicit minors | Second-degree felony |
| Indecent Exposure | Exposing intimate parts publicly | Class B misdemeanor |
| Public Lewdness | Sexual acts in public view | Class A misdemeanor |
| Child Sexual Abuse | Sexual conduct with minors | First-degree felony |
We provide the same aggressive defense strategy for all sex crime allegations, protecting clients from conviction and registration requirements.
Don’t let prostitution or solicitation charges destroy your future. Early intervention by our experienced legal team can make the difference between conviction and case dismissal. We’re available 24/7 to respond to arrest situations and begin building your defense immediately.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation:
📞 Call: (972) 528-0116
📧 Email: Contact form available
📍 Office: Serving Dallas, Irving, Carrollton, Richardson, and surrounding areas
Your freedom and future are too important to leave to chance. Let our experienced Dallas criminal defense attorneys protect what matters most to you.
Yes. As of September 1, 2021, solicitation is treated as a state jail felony for first offenses under Texas Penal Code Section 43.021. This represents a significant increase from the previous Class A misdemeanor classification and carries:
Texas became the first state in America to make first-time solicitation a felony offense.
Yes. Many law enforcement sting operations use online advertisements to arrest people for solicitation. Police create fake profiles on dating sites, classified ad platforms, and social media to target potential buyers. Simply responding to these ads and discussing payment for sexual services can result in arrest.
It depends on the specific circumstances. Standard prostitution and solicitation convictions typically do not require sex offender registration in Texas. However, registration becomes mandatory for:
Most first-time adult prostitution and solicitation cases do not trigger sex offender registration requirements.
Yes. Entrapment is a recognized legal defense when police operations cross legal boundaries. Our attorneys evaluate all aspects of the sting operation including:
Successful entrapment defenses can result in complete case dismissals.
Professional licensing consequences vary by industry. Teachers, lawyers, doctors, and other licensed professionals face potential disciplinary action including license suspension or revocation. We work with licensing boards to minimize professional impacts and protect your career.
Whether you're facing a felony charge or fighting a traffic ticket, every case deserves serious attention. Get an experienced defense team in your corner now.
