Definition of solicitation

In Ohio, solicitation is the act of hiring another person for sexual activity. Solicitation in Ohio is classified as follows: 

• The solicitation of a person who is 18 years of age or older is a third-degree misdemeanor.
• The solicitation of a person who is 16 or 17 years of age is a fifth-degree felony. 
• The solicitation of a person who is 16 years of age or younger is a third-degree felony.

Defending a solicitation charge 

The police sometimes run sting operations in which they try to compel individuals to hire the services of a fake sex worker. Often, the language used to entice people during these sting operations constitutes entrapment, which is a defense to a solicitation charge. Entrapment occurs when the police induce someone to commit a crime that he or she wouldn’t have committed without such encouragement. In order to raise an entrapment defense, an experienced Ohio criminal defense attorney must demonstrate that his or her client was not predisposed to committing a crime prior to the encouragement of the police. However, without the help of an experienced lawyer, it can be difficult to present this defense in a convincing and effective manner. 

Fight your charges with the help of an Ohio criminal defense attorney

If you’ve been charged with solicitation in Ohio, you face serious potential consequences, including imprisonment and mandatory registration in Ohio’s sex offender registry. Therefore, if you’ve been accused of solicitation or are facing any other sex crime charges in Ohio, you should strongly consider obtaining the services of an experienced Ohio criminal defense attorney. At Schuh & Goldberg, our experienced Ohio criminal defense attorneys will work with you to devise the best possible defense strategy for your case. Our attorneys regularly represent residents of the Greater Cincinnati area who have been charged with solicitation and other sex offenses, utilizing our criminal defense experience to make sure that that all our clients receive the strongest defense possible. In addition, we understand the fear and anxiety engendered by sex crime charges. Therefore, you can count on our experienced Ohio criminal defense attorneys to treat you with respect and dignity as we fight to prove your innocence. Please contact us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our criminal defense attorneys.