Prostitution and Solicitation Lawyer Dallas
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If you’ve been arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Dallas, you might be shocked to learn that Texas was the first state in the country to make a first-time solicitation offense a state jail felony.
Not a misdemeanor.
A felony carrying up to 2 years in jail and a $10,000 fine, even if you’ve never been in trouble before.
That arrest put your career, your family, your reputation, and your freedom on the line.
Most people facing prostitution charges in Dallas were caught in undercover sting operations run by police officers and task forces targeting online ads, hotel rooms, and massage parlors.
These operations are designed to generate arrests, not to determine whether you actually intended to commit a crime.
Without an experienced prostitution defense lawyer who understands how these operations work and where they cross the line, you’re defending yourself against a system built to convict you.
How Michael Lowe Can Help You Fight Prostitution and Solicitation Charges
Facing criminal charges for prostitution or solicitation in Dallas requires a defense attorney who knows how prosecutors build these cases from the inside.
Michael Lowe is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney and former Dallas County prosecutor who provides aggressive, discreet defense for clients accused of prostitution related offenses.
Solicitation of Prostitution (Texas Penal Code 43.021)
A person commits solicitation of prostitution by knowingly offering or agreeing to pay a fee to engage in sexual conduct with another person.
Since 2021, this is a state jail felony on a first offense, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000.
With a prior conviction, the charge increases to a third degree felony carrying 2 to 10 years in prison.
If the person solicited is younger than 18, or is represented or believed by the accused to be younger than 18, the charge jumps to a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years.
Penalties also increase to the next highest felony category if the offense occurs within 1,000 feet of a school.
Michael Lowe challenges every element of the prosecution’s case, from the initial contact to the alleged agreement, to determine whether the state can actually prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prostitution Defense (Texas Penal Code 43.02)
A person commits prostitution under the Texas Penal Code when they knowingly offer or agree to receive a fee from another to engage in sexual conduct.
A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
One or two previous convictions escalate the charge to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and up to $4,000 in fines.
Three or more prior convictions elevate the charge to a state jail felony.
Michael Lowe examines the specific circumstances of your arrest to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and build a defense tailored to your situation.
Promotion of Prostitution (Texas Penal Code 43.03)
Promoting prostitution involves receiving money or other property as part of an agreement to participate in the proceeds of prostitution, or soliciting another person to engage in sexual conduct with a third party for compensation.
This is a third degree felony carrying 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
If the person being promoted is younger than 18, the charge is elevated to a first degree felony regardless of whether the accused knew the person’s age.
A prior conviction for promotion of prostitution also elevates the charge to a second degree felony.
Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution (Texas Penal Code 43.04)
When a person owns, manages, controls, supervises, or invests in a prostitution enterprise involving two or more prostitutes, Texas law classifies this as aggravated promotion of prostitution.
This is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
If any of the individuals involved are under 18, the charge becomes a first degree felony with potential penalties of 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
Compelling Prostitution (Texas Penal Code 43.05)
Compelling prostitution involves causing another person to commit prostitution through force, threat, fraud, or coercion, or causing a child younger than 18 or a disabled individual to engage in prostitution by any means.
This is a first degree felony carrying 5 to 99 years or life in prison and fines up to $10,000.
If the victim is younger than 18, the minimum prison term increases to 15 years.
A conviction for compelling prostitution involving a minor also triggers mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.
Operation of Stash House (Texas Penal Code 20.07)
Texas law makes it a crime to knowingly use or permit another to use any property you own or control to commit or facilitate offenses including aggravated promotion of prostitution or compelling prostitution.
It is also a crime to rent or lease property to another person knowing it will be used for these purposes.
As of February 2024, operation of a stash house is a third degree felony with a minimum 5-year prison term.
The charge increases to a second degree felony if someone suffers serious bodily injury, death, or becomes a victim of sexual assault as a direct result.
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Texas Penal Code 71.02)
When prostitution related offenses are committed as part of a criminal organization or combination of three or more persons, Texas law allows prosecutors to bring charges for engaging in organized criminal activity.
Predicate offenses in this context include promotion of prostitution, aggravated promotion of prostitution, compelling prostitution, and trafficking of persons.
The punishment is one category higher than the most serious underlying offense.
If the predicate offense is a second degree felony, the organized crime charge becomes a first degree felony.
If the underlying offense is already a first degree felony, the punishment range increases to 15 to 99 years or life.
Sting Operation and Entrapment Defense
Many Dallas prostitution cases begin with undercover sting operations where police officers initiate contact through online platforms and arrange meetings at hotels or other locations.
Michael Lowe has extensive experience challenging the methods used in these operations, including whether officers crossed the line into entrapment.
He analyzes text messages, call logs, recordings, and police reports to find the weaknesses the prosecution doesn’t want you to know about.
A Former Prosecutor Who Knows How Dallas Builds These Cases Against You
Michael Lowe spent years as a prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office before establishing his defense practice in 2003.
He has tried over 150 jury trials and knows the playbook prosecutors use because he helped write it.
His Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2007 signals to prosecutors that your case will be scrutinized at the highest level.
For you, this means the prosecution knows they’re facing a defense lawyer who won’t accept a bad plea deal and will take the case to trial if your situation demands it.
Many attorneys treat prostitution cases as quick pleas.
Michael Lowe treats every case as a serious crime that demands serious defense work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Prostitution and Solicitation Charges
Is solicitation of prostitution a felony in Texas?
Yes. Since September 1, 2021, a first-time solicitation of prostitution offense is a state jail felony under Texas Penal Code 43.021, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000. Texas was the first state to classify first-time solicitation as a felony. A prior conviction increases the charge to a third degree felony**, and soliciting a person younger than 18 is a second degree felony**.
What is the difference between prostitution and solicitation in Texas?
Prostitution (Penal Code 43.02) involves offering or agreeing to receive a fee for sexual conduct. Solicitation (Penal Code 43.021) involves offering or agreeing to pay a fee for sexual conduct. Prostitution starts as a Class B misdemeanor and escalates with prior convictions, while solicitation starts as a state jail felony regardless of criminal history.
Can prostitution charges be dismissed?
Yes. Common grounds for dismissal include entrapment by law enforcement, insufficient evidence of intent or agreement, constitutional violations during the investigation, and problems with the credibility of police officers or witnesses. An experienced defense lawyer can evaluate the specific circumstances of your case to identify the strongest path toward dismissal.
What is the entrapment defense in a prostitution case?
Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime they wouldn’t have otherwise committed. In Dallas sting operations, this often applies when undercover police officers initiated contact and steered the conversation toward sexual conduct and a fee, creating pressure to reach an agreement that originated with law enforcement rather than with you.
What is compelling prostitution in Texas?
Compelling prostitution under Texas Penal Code 43.05 involves causing another person to commit prostitution through force, threat, fraud, or coercion. It also applies when a person causes a child younger than 18 or a disabled individual to engage in prostitution by any means. This is a first degree felony carrying 5 to 99 years or life in prison, with a 15-year minimum when the victim is under 18.
What is a stash house charge related to prostitution?
Under Texas Penal Code 20.07, it is a crime to use property you own or control to facilitate offenses like aggravated promotion of prostitution or compelling prostitution. It is also illegal to rent or lease property knowing it will be used for these purposes. This is a third degree felony with a minimum 5-year prison term, and can be elevated to a second degree felony in certain circumstances.
What is engaging in organized criminal activity in a prostitution case?
Under Texas Penal Code 71.02, prosecutors can charge engaging in organized criminal activity when prostitution offenses like promotion, aggravated promotion, compelling prostitution, or trafficking are committed as part of a combination of three or more persons. The punishment is one category higher than the most serious underlying offense, which can mean 15 to 99 years or life in prison for the most serious cases.
Will a prostitution conviction affect my career and personal life?
A conviction creates a permanent criminal record visible on every background check. Professional licenses in healthcare, education, law, and finance can be revoked or denied. Felony charges can result in loss of firearm rights and, for non-citizens, potential deportation or denial of naturalization. The consequences extend far beyond the courtroom.
How do Dallas police sting operations for prostitution work?
Dallas law enforcement agencies and task forces conduct sting operations by posting fake ads on online platforms, posing as sex workers, and arranging meetings at hotels or other locations. Police officers engage in conversations designed to establish an agreement to exchange money for sexual services, then make the arrest once they believe an agreement has been reached. These operations rely heavily on text messages, recorded conversations, and officer testimony as evidence.
Should I accept a plea deal on a prostitution charge?
Never accept a plea deal without first consulting an experienced defense attorney who can evaluate the strength of the evidence against you. A guilty plea creates a permanent criminal record with all the long-term consequences that follow. Michael Lowe reviews every aspect of your case to determine whether the state can actually prove its charges, and fights for the best possible outcome whether that means dismissal, reduction of charges, or trial.
Your Freedom Is on the Line. Call a Dallas Prostitution Defense Lawyer Now.
Every day you wait is a day the prosecution uses to build its case against you.
Michael Lowe offers free initial consultations for anyone facing prostitution charges, solicitation charges, or any prostitution related offenses in Dallas.
Call (214) 526-1900 today to schedule your free consultation with a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney and former prosecutor.
The sooner Michael Lowe reviews the evidence in your case, the stronger your defense will be.
Don’t let a single arrest define the rest of your life.
