Solicitation Defense Attorney in St. Petersburg

Confidential Guidance After a Solicitation Arrest or Sting

A solicitation accusation can arise from an undercover operation, online communication, text messages, recorded calls, or a brief encounter with law enforcement. The wording of an alleged offer or agreement, the surrounding context, and the evidence collected before an arrest can all matter. If police have contacted you or you were arrested, preserve relevant information and get legal advice before discussing the facts with officers or others involved.

At Bastos Defense, we represent people facing solicitation and related sex offense allegations across Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area. We review the charge, the available evidence, and the next procedural step so you can make informed decisions without assuming the allegation tells the entire story.

You’re more than a police report or an allegation; we treat clients with discretion and respect, and we offer clear guidance through each step of the process. To discuss your situation confidentially, you can contact us and speak directly with our defense team about your options. Call (727) 800-0529 today.

Solicitation Defense Led by a Former Statewide Prosecutor

Our firm is led by attorney María Bastos, who previously served as a statewide prosecutor for the Florida Attorney General and handled serious, multi-county felony cases, including sex crimes. That background gives us insight into how the state organizes evidence, evaluates allegations, and prepares cases involving undercover operations and recorded communications.

We bring a dual perspective to every defense. Our experience on the prosecution and defense sides of the criminal justice system helps us examine the facts the state may emphasize and the gaps or context that may require closer scrutiny. That work is particularly important in solicitation cases, which can turn on a short exchange, an online message, or a recording interpreted without its full context.

We’ve litigated numerous jury trials, non-jury trials, and complex motions. Our advanced training in trial advocacy and National Cyber Crime defense supports our review of cases involving text messages, chat logs, online ads, and other digital evidence.

We maintain a selective caseload so we can provide personalized attention, honest feedback, and consistent communication. María Bastos is bilingual in English and Spanish, and we offer full legal services in Spanish so clients and families can discuss sensitive matters in their preferred language.

Understanding Solicitation of Prostitution Under Florida Law

Florida Statute 796.07 addresses several prostitution-related offenses. Under Florida Statute 796.07(2)(f), it’s unlawful to solicit, induce, entice, or procure another person to commit prostitution, lewdness, or assignation. The statute defines prostitution as giving or receiving the body for sexual activity for hire, excluding sexual activity between spouses.

The statute separately addresses purchasing the services of a person engaged in prostitution under subsection 796.07(2)(i). The precise subsection alleged matters because different conduct and statutory provisions can carry different requirements and consequences.

A solicitation of prostitution allegation doesn’t require the state to claim that sexual activity or an exchange actually occurred. Instead, the prosecution may rely on evidence it contends shows a prohibited offer, agreement, inducement, or other conduct described by the statute. The language used, the intent behind it, and the circumstances of an undercover interaction can be central issues in the case.

Evidence may include officer testimony, body-camera footage, recorded communications, text messages, online postings, and account information. Those materials can require careful review. A message or recording may be incomplete, ambiguous, translated inaccurately, or presented without the surrounding conversation.

Potential Penalties & Practical Consequences

Under Florida Statute 796.07, a first violation of subsection 796.07(2)(f) is generally a first-degree misdemeanor. A second violation is generally a third-degree felony, and a third or subsequent violation is generally a second-degree felony. The applicable charge and penalty can depend on the allegation and prior record.

The statute also provides additional consequences for a conviction under subsection 796.07(2)(f), including 100 hours of community service, payment for and attendance at an educational program when one exists in the judicial circuit, and a $5,000 civil penalty when the disposition is not an acquittal or dismissal. For a second or subsequent violation, the statute includes a minimum mandatory period of incarceration of 10 days. A vehicle used in a violation may also be subject to court-ordered impoundment or immobilization as provided by the statute.

An accusation isn’t a conviction, and collateral effects aren’t the same in every case. Employment, professional licensing, family concerns, immigration issues, privacy, and reputation can depend on the specific charge, disposition, personal circumstances, and applicable law. We explain the allegations and potential consequences based on the facts of your case rather than relying on broad assumptions.

How We Evaluate Solicitation Evidence

When we take on a solicitation case, we begin by identifying how law enforcement built its case. We review police reports, body-camera footage, recorded calls, text messages, search warrants, online postings, and other discovery. We compare those materials with your account and examine whether the evidence is complete, reliable, and lawfully obtained.

Attorney María Bastos has handled complex, multi-county criminal cases involving sex crimes and understands prosecution-side preparation for serious investigations. Our background also includes work with search warrant applications, wiretaps, computer encryption, cybercrime investigations, and complex white-collar investigations. That experience informs a detailed review of digital evidence and investigative records.

Potential issues can include probable cause, meaning the legal basis police relied on for an arrest or search, as well as the alleged intent behind a communication. We also evaluate whether messages are ambiguous or incomplete, whether a statement was obtained lawfully, and whether digital evidence was preserved and attributed accurately.

Entrapment may be relevant when law enforcement conduct is alleged to have induced someone to commit an offense they weren’t otherwise predisposed to commit. Whether entrapment, mistaken identity, insufficient evidence, search-and-seizure concerns, or another defense applies depends on the particular facts. We assess available pretrial motions, negotiations, diversion or intervention where legally available, and trial preparation without promising a particular result.

If you have recently been arrested or contacted by police in a sting, consider these immediate steps:

• Avoid discussing the facts of the case with anyone other than your lawyer.
• Don’t reply to further messages from unknown numbers or accounts linked to the incident.
• Save any texts, emails, call logs, account information, or online messages that may relate to what happened.
• Write down your recollection of events while they’re still fresh.
• Contact a criminal defense attorney promptly for advice about communications and the next step.

Pinellas County Court Proceedings

People charged in Pinellas County may have hearings at the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater. Depending on the procedural posture of the case, court events can include first appearance or bond proceedings, arraignment, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, negotiations, and trial-related settings.

The schedule, appearance requirements, and how the case may proceed depend on the court, the charge, prior record, release conditions, and the facts of the case. We’ve worked in the Pinellas County court system and Florida appellate courts. We explain what each scheduled hearing concerns, what preparation may be needed, and whether personal appearance is required under the applicable court rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Go to Jail for a Solicitation Charge?

Jail can be a possible consequence, but it isn’t the outcome in every case. The potential penalty depends on the charged statute, prior record, evidence, disposition, and other case-specific factors. We review the allegation and explain the statutory exposure that may apply.

What Are the Florida Penalties for Solicitation of Prostitution?

A first violation of Florida Statute 796.07(2)(f) is generally a first-degree misdemeanor. Later violations can be charged as felonies. The statute may also require community service, an educational program when available, a civil penalty, and other consequences depending on the disposition and prior record.

Can I Be Charged If No Sexual Activity Occurred?

Yes. A completed sexual act or exchange isn’t required for the state to pursue a solicitation allegation. The prosecution may instead rely on an alleged offer, agreement, inducement, or other conduct it claims falls within Florida Statute 796.07.

What Evidence Can Police Use in a Solicitation Case?

Police may rely on officer testimony, recorded calls, body-camera footage, text messages, online communications, postings, and account information. The context, completeness, collection, and interpretation of that evidence can be important to the defense.

Can a Solicitation Case Involve a Civil Penalty or Vehicle Consequences?

It can. Florida Statute 796.07 includes a civil penalty for certain dispositions involving subsection 796.07(2)(f), and a vehicle used in a violation may be subject to impoundment or immobilization under the statute. The specific facts and charge matter.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Sting Arrest or Police Contact?

You should seek legal advice promptly before discussing the facts with police or others involved. Counsel can advise you about communications, preservation of relevant information, court notices, and the charge or investigation.

Can You Handle My Case in Spanish If I Prefer?

Yes. Attorney María Bastos is fluent in Spanish, so clients and families can receive full legal services and discuss sensitive facts without relying on an interpreter.

Get Clear Guidance on Your Next Step

You don’t have to sort through a solicitation accusation alone. A confidential consultation can help you understand the charge, preserve relevant information, and identify the next procedural step based on your circumstances.

At Bastos Defense, we represent clients throughout the Tampa Bay area, with a strong focus on Pinellas County and Hillsborough County. We provide strategic guidance and personalized attention in English and Spanish.

Call (727) 800-0529 to speak with our defense team in confidence.