Solicitation Criminal Attorney in Rochester

Facing Solicitation Charges? Compassionate Defense in Rochester

If you have been accused of solicitation in Rochester, you deserve clear guidance and reliable support. I draw on 25 years of criminal defense experience—including time as a former prosecutor—to help clients navigate local laws, protect their rights, and make informed decisions. 

Whether law enforcement officers contacted you or you are already charged, you can count on a dedicated approach tailored to the realities of New York law and Rochester court procedures.

Solicitation charges often bring social and professional consequences, especially in Monroe County's tight-knit communities. From the initial consultation, I listen carefully, answer your questions, and provide guidance rooted in my knowledge of Rochester courts and the larger New York criminal justice system.

Contact an experienced solicitation criminal attorney in Rochester. Call (585) 928-4193 or reach out online for your confidential assessment.

Understanding New York's Patronizing a Person for Prostitution Laws

In New York, the crime of Solicitation of Prostitution is formally prosecuted under the Penal Law Article 230, which defines patronizing a person for prostitution in several degrees, the most common being the Third Degree (Penal Law § 230.03).

A person is guilty of Patronizing a Person for Prostitution in the Third Degree when I (the accused) pay or agree to pay a fee to another person, whom I know or reasonably should know is a prostitute, for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with that person.

Key Elements the Prosecution Must Prove:

• Agreement or Payment: The defendant must have paid or agreed to pay a fee. This is often established via recorded conversation or cash exchanged during a police sting.
• Sexual Conduct: The purpose of the agreement was to engage in sexual conduct.
• Knowledge of Prostitution: The defendant must have known or reasonably should have known that the other person was a prostitute.

The law is focused entirely on the agreement to pay a fee for a sex act. The actual sex act does not need to occur for the prosecutor to secure a conviction for solicitation of prostitution.

The Use of Sting Operations in Rochester

Most charges for solicitation of prostitution in the Rochester area result from sting operations conducted by the police, often involving:

• Undercover Officers: Posing as prostitutes on the street or in online forums.
• Electronic Evidence: Text messages, instant messages, and recorded audio/video of the negotiation and fee exchange.

As a dedicated Rochester solicitation defense lawyer, I immediately investigate the legality and conduct of the entire sting operation to find grounds for suppression or dismissal.

Key Elements I Challenge in Solicitation Cases

My defense strategy as a solicitation criminal attorney in Rochester is to aggressively challenge the evidence used by the prosecutor, particularly the critical elements that prove criminal intent and the commission of the crime itself.

The key elements I attack include:

• Proof of Intent/Agreement: Did the exchange of messages or dialogue truly constitute a clear, unambiguous agreement to pay a fee for sex? I argue that communication may have been vague, misinterpreted, or part of a non-criminal transaction.
• The Credibility of the Transaction: If an undercover officer was involved, I challenge the continuity of the dialogue and the officer's own testimony.
• Lack of Knowledge: Arguing that the defendant did not know the person was a prostitute. This defense is more difficult in street stings, but can be relevant in online scenarios where the context might be ambiguous.
• Electronic Evidence Integrity: I challenge the process of securing and authenticating any text messages or electronic chats used as evidence to prove the solicitation of prostitution.