Penalties For Solicitation or Prostitution Conviction in Chicago, Illinois

This is my third post in my series on defending against solicitation charges in Chicago. My last post discussed unreasonable search and seizure issues in solicitation cases. Any arrest or conviction can have a lasting impact on your ability to obtain a job, a professional license or even clearance through customs. Crimes involving sex allegations receive special scrutiny.

Criminal consequences of a solicitation or prostitution conviction in Chicago

Offering to exchange money or other goods in exchange for sexual favors, or accepting such an offer is a Class A misdemeanor. Illinois Class A misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of one year in county jail and a $2,500 fine. Generally, on a first offense, you will be offered probation with little or no jail time and other conditions. The penalties increase with additional convictions. Keep in mind that if you are arrested on a second case while still on probation for a first case, you can receive up to a year in jail for each offense. This means if you are arrested for several cases in rapid succession, you face the aggregate maximum of all the cases. This can add up to major jail time. If you have been arrested for solicitation or prostitution, it is in your best interest to obtain a qualified Chicago criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Solicitation and prostitution convictions have other consequences for Chicago residents

Though a misdemeanor, solicitation is a crime involving sex acts and is therefore scrutinized from unexpected corners. Even the arrest can trigger increased scrutiny when you try to cross a border. For example, if you want to travel internationally, when you go through customs you may encounter increased scrutiny. Certain types of solicitation convictions could lead to sex registration requirements, for example if the girl was underage. Sex registration is a lifetime duty and carries strict penalties for failure to comply.

While most employers do not inquire about misdemeanor convictions, some do. Indeed, because criminal records searches are becoming so much more common and easy to obtain, a potential employer may not even need to ask you about your conviction history to access it. You could be denied employment, or a professional license such as an attorney, therapist, nurse or even a bond in construction or related industry. It is vitally important that you obtain experienced criminal defense counsel if you are arrested for solicitation in order to safeguard your future.

If you have been arrested or charged with solicitation or prostitution contact my Orland Park office today for a consultation with a Chicago criminal defense attorney. I also handle matters in areas of Cook County including Glenview, Palos Park, Oak Lawn, Oak forest, Blue Island, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Alsip, Bridgeview, Lemont, Orland Hills, Country Club Hills, Hickory Hills, and Tinley Park, in DuPage County areas including Downers Grove, Naperville, Woodridge, and Darien, in Kane County areas including Aurora, Elgin and Geneva, and the Will County cities of Joliet, Bolingbrook, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport, Homer Glen, Romeoville, and Manhattan.