Mike Brandt’s client was charged with Felony Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution after Mike’s client responded to an ad on backpages.com posted by law enforcement. The ad suggested that there was a young lady who would sell her sexual services to Mike’s client. The decoy police officer held herself out to be 15 years old, making this a felony.
In preparing the case, Mike closely examined the ad and the communications between his client and the undercover officer. Mike pointed out several issues regarding the communications between his client and the decoy police officer that cast doubt on whether the state could prove that the undercover officer actually passed themselves off as a minor.
Because of his investigation and the issues he raised, Mike was able to convince the prosecutor to amend the charge to a gross misdemeanor-level offense of Engaging in Prostitution. In preparation for the sentencing, Mike brought a motion to have the judge sentence the matter as a misdemeanor. Also in preparation for the sentencing, Mike provided the court with a great deal of information about Mike’s client and some of the steps he had taken after his arrest. The judge granted Mike’s request to sentence this as a misdemeanor and Mike’s client never served a day in jail, had to pay a small fine, and perform some community work service. In the end, a case that started out as a felony ended up as a misdemeanor, which also allows Mike’s client to have this charged expunged (sealed) after he is off probation.
If you need a prostitution defense attorney who gets results, contact us today.