If you’ve been arrested in Minnesota for soliciting a prostitute you probably have a million things racing through your head. There’s no way to know exactly how a solicitation arrest will affect your life, but there are some things you can do to put yourself in a better position to avoid certain negative consequences. Today, we take a closer look at a couple things you should do in the wake of a prostitution arrest.
At The Scene
The best thing you can do for yourself and for the potential outcome of your case is to remain silent. Oftentimes law enforcement officials will try to take advantage of the situation and collect a lot of evidence from a suspect, which they will then use to build a case against them. No matter what they say, do not answer their questions pertaining to the incident without first talking to your lawyer. Even if they just say something as simple as “why are you here” or “what were your intentions,” simply state that you want to talk to a lawyer before answering any questions.
We’ve worked with clients who have accidently handed over enough evidence to the prosecution to warrant a conviction, and there’s little we can do for them at that point outside of trying to negotiate a plea deal. Whether the statements are true or not, do not say things like “I wasn’t planning on having sex” or “I didn’t know she was only 17,” especially if there is potential evidence to the contrary (assume all contact you’ve had with the client, be it on the phone, through text or email, has been recorded by the police).
After The Arrest
After you’ve been arrested, your first call should be to an experienced criminal defense lawyer like Avery Appelman. He’ll be able to quickly and discreetly secure your release from jail, and then he’ll go to work for you. He’ll listen to your side of the story, gather any witness statements, read the police reports and even reach out to the prosecution to understand what charges they are pursuing and what evidence they intend to present. All of this helps to build a case that puts you in a favorable light and increases your chance of beating the charges or getting a reduced sentence.
While you’re talking to your lawyer, begin thinking about what’s most important to you, and what your ideal outcome would be in the event that the charges aren’t fully dropped. For example, is staying out of jail a priority, are high fines a concern, or are you concerned how the charge will look on your record?
Figuring out what’s important to you is critical, because your lawyer can push for certain things or negotiate to take other things off the table when talking with the prosecution. We can’t guarantee that you’ll get the perfect conditions in the event of a conviction, but if we know what’s important, we can usually find a plea deal that meets at least some of your wishes.
Finally, the last things you should do after a solicitation arrest are to stay out of trouble while the case is ongoing and maintain communication with your lawyer. If you end up back in handcuffs before your trial is over, it’s not going to help you win your current case. Keep your head low and stay out of trouble. Also, be sure to stay in contact with your lawyer and follow their instructions. Show up on time to appointments and court dates to help ensure you have the best chance of receiving a favorable outcome for your case.
Minneapolis Prostitution Attorney
For more information, or to contact a prostitution or solicitation defense lawyer in the Minneapolis area, reach out to Appelman Law Firm today.