Texas has some of the strictest prostitution laws in the country. In fact, Texas was the first state to make solicitation of a prostitute a felony as of September 1, 2021. The new law makes any act of prostitution—whether as a sex worker or as a customer or manager of a sex worker—a felony. This means that engaging in prostitution in any sense, whether providing sexual services for money, compelling someone else to provide sexual services for money, or soliciting sexual services—even inquiring about how much a sexual service would cost—can result in a felony charge. Soliciting a fee for sexual contact and paying for sexual contact are both charged as prostitution, and both are felony offenses. The prostitution laws in Texas are both new and some of the toughest in the country. If you or a loved one has been accused under these laws, you need an aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. Call the Houston Law Office of Michael H. Pham today to begin fighting these charges. 713-236-7791

What if My Prostitution Charge is a First Offense?

Under the new 2021 law, even a first offense is a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.A second offense is elevated to a third-degree felony charge, and is punishable by 2-10 years in jail and a fine up to $10,000. Obviously, fines and jail time are not the only consequences of a prostitution conviction; your career, family life, and reputation will all be affected, as well.

What if I Never Followed Through in Engaging in any Sex Act?

Prostitution is a felony in Texas, for both the sex worker and the client. This is true even if money never actually changed hands and/or no sexual contact occurred. If you or a loved one made any move to arrange sexual contact, a felony charge could be forthcoming., Even taking cash out of an ATM after asking a sex worker’s rate can be charged as criminal prostitution in Texas. If you have been accused of engaging in prostitution, contact attorney Michael H. Pham today. He will use his extensive experience and knowledge of the Texas legal system and prostitution laws to aggressively defend you and your future against terrible consequences. 713-236-7791

How Can an Attorney Defend Me against a Prostitution Charge?

An experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney has several avenues to take to defend you against prostitution charges. For example, you could have been a victim of police entrapment, or maybe you lacked the knowledge to prove intent. There may not be sufficient evidence to prove the charge, or someone forced you to engage in sexual conduct for a fee against your will. Attorney Michael H. Pham will assess your best defense against a prostitution charge and construct a strategy that can minimize or even eliminate the possible harsh consequences for you. Call today at 713-236-7791 to get started on clearing your name.