Soliciting a child for prostitution defense attorney
Van Severen Law Office defends soliciting a child for prostitution cases. (414) 270-0202
Soliciting a child for prostitution is a serious Wisconsin felony. Like most sex crimes involving children, the penalty for this offense is significant. Soliciting a child for prostitution is a Class D felony. Certainly this is a serious penalty. Upon conviction for a Class D felony, the defendant faces 25 years in prison. This 25 years breaks down into 15 years initial confinement and 10 years extended supervision. The penalty certainly shows just how seriously prosecutors take this offense.
Fortunately, the criminal defense attorneys at Van Severen Law Office defend cases just as seriously. We answer phone calls 24/7. We work on the weekends, at night, and certainly on holidays. Certainly if the police arrest you on those days, why should your defense attorney take off?
Finally, the criminal defense attorneys at Van Severen Law Office are specialists. We focus on defending sex crimes involving children, but our entire firm only defends individuals accused of violating the law. This allows us to more effectively fight your case. All of our efforts are focused on defending cases just like yours.
Our criminal defense lawyers are fighters. And we want to fight your case. Call us at (414) 270-0202 to get started today.
What is soliciting a child for prostitution?
Section 948.08 of the Wisconsin Statutes prohibits soliciting a child for prostitution. The defendant commits the crime when he:
“intentionally solicits or causes any child to engage in an act of prostitution or establishes any child in a place of prostitution…”
Solicitation refers to commanding, encouraging, or requesting that another person engage in specific conduct. The solicitation must be for the purpose of prostitution.
Secondly, practiced prostitution means the victim intentionally engaged in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts for anything of value on an ongoing basis.
These definitions help us to understand what soliciting a child for prostitution is. Interesting, in theory, this charge can be used a few ways. In one example, consider someone purchasing the services of the prostitute. The purchaser certainly causes the child to engage in a sexual act for something of value. Let’s consider another example: the defendant is trafficking the child. In that case, the defendant forces the victim to engage in prostitution with another individual. While this scenario is likely to result in human trafficking charges, it’s conceivable a prosecutor could proceed under section 948.08. Certainly our criminal defense attorneys regularly fight charges based on both potential fact scenarios.
Soliciting a child for prostitution is a serious felony in Wisconsin. Contact Van Severen Law Office at (414) 270-0202.
What are the elements of this offense?
All crimes in Wisconsin have various parts, or elements. Those elements constitute the offense. In order to sustain a conviction against you, the government must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instruction 2136 describes this sex crime:
Firstly, the defendant solicited the victim to engage in an act of prostitution; and
Secondly, the defendant solicited the victim intended that an act of prostitution be committed; and
Thirdly, the victim had not attained the age of 18 years at the time of the alleged offense.
The jury instructions go on and clarify that the defendant need not know the victim’s age. Furthermore, mistake of the victim’s age doesn’t matter.
Considering these elements, our previous example discussing two different versions of a potential offense certainly still stands. A district attorney may certainly proceed with two very different types of cases under this statute.
How do I win my soliciting a child for prostitution case?
Each criminal case is different, and each criminal defense plan is different. Did the police violate the constitution in some way? That could result in the exclusion of certain evidence. If evidence is excluded, the State may not be able to prove its case. Is the “victim” lying about what happened? Effective cross-examination of said “victim” at trial could destroy his or her credibility. If a jury doesn’t believe him or her, you could win your case. No matter the defense, we’ll figure it out, and we’ll argue it on your behalf.
Not all criminal defense attorneys proceed to trial. Not all criminal defense attorneys possess the same skills. Our defense attorneys fight cases at trial and possess the skills necessary to win. To achieve positive results for clients, this skill is certainly a requirement. If prosecutors view your defense attorney as weak, they’ll walk all over him. Similarly, if prosecutors understand your criminal defense attorney is scared of trial, they’ll do the same.
Facing a soliciting a child for prostitution charge?
The criminal defense attorneys at Van Severen Law Office regularly defend individuals charged with sex offenses. We’re prepared to defend your soliciting a child for prostitution charge. And we certainly recognize that this charge causes you stress. Simply being arrested for a sex charge carries a negative stigma. Certainly some of your friends, family, and professional colleagues have assumed the worst. But don’t let that get you down. Instead, recognize that an ally is necessary. At Van Severen Law Office you’ll find an ally in any of our sexual assault defense attorneys.
Prosecutors take charges like this seriously. Hire an aggressive, intelligent, experienced criminal defense attorney to fight on your side.
Call Van Severen Law Office today at (414) 270-0202. Let’s start fighting your case.
