Ocean City, MD Prostitution Lawyers

Experienced Lawyers Representing Clients Accused of Prostitution or Solicitation in Ocean City, Maryland

The practice of prostitution is heavily criminalized in Maryland, regardless of which end of the transaction you were allegedly on. If convicted of a prostitution offense, you could face fines, jail time, and a criminal record. Aside from the criminal penalties, the scandal of a prostitution conviction can destroy your reputation. An Ocean City sex crimes lawyer can help protect your image and make sure that your rights are upheld in a court of law.

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we can provide you with skilled counsel and advocacy to help you contest a prostitution charge. When you work with us, our attorneys will meet with you one-on-one to discuss your options, and we will work toward an optimal resolution to your case.

Solicitation Charges

In Maryland, soliciting a prostitute's services is a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to a year in prison and a possible fine of up to $500. Contrary to what you might expect, you do not have to make sexual contact with a prostitute for this charge to apply. Mere intent is enough for a conviction, so if you allegedly offered money in exchange for a sexual favor, you could be found guilty.

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we will put up a thorough defense on your behalf against a solicitation charge. We will question if the prosecution has enough evidence to prove your guilt, and if not, we can argue to have the case dismissed. Alternatively, we could push to have the charges dropped if you were entrapped by a police officer posing as a prostitute. Our attorneys will examine your case from multiple angles, exhausting every avenue of defense on your behalf.

If you are accused of soliciting an underage prostitute, you could be charged with the much more serious offense of soliciting a minor for sex. This is a felony charge, and if you are convicted of this offense, you will have to register as a sex offender. You could potentially avoid this charge if you can prove that you did not know that the alleged prostitute was a minor.

Prostitution Charges

Prostitution is punished under the same statute as solicitation in Maryland, carrying the same misdemeanor penalties. Similar to a solicitation charge, you may be able to avoid a conviction if there is not sufficient proof to suggest there was a transaction for something of value.

Lack of intent is not the only defense to a prostitution charge. If you were trafficked into prostitution, you could cite your duress as an affirmative defense in court. However, to invoke this defense, you must give notice to the State's Attorney 10 days ahead of your trial.

Other Prostitution Offenses

You may face more serious criminal charges if you are accused of advertising or facilitating a large-scale prostitution operation. Profiting from a prostitute's work is a misdemeanor offense carrying a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Knowingly offering up another person for prostitution is prosecuted as a misdemeanor under the state's sex trafficking laws. If the victim was a minor, then the crime will be escalated to a felony charge with a possible sentence of 10 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and placement on the sex offender registry.

Speak With a Ocean City, Maryland Prostitution Defense Lawyer Today

If you have been accused of prostitution or solicitation in Maryland, it is in your best interests to get in contact with a lawyer as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, our sex crime defense attorneys are ready to defend you against harsh prosecution, pursuing the most optimal outcome to your case.

We are available 24/7 for urgent inquiries. Call our offices at 410-280-2500 or contact us online to get started with a free consultation.