Serving Sacramento County and Beyond Prostitution

We represent good people who find themselves, on occasion, on the wrong side of the law. We have extensive trial experience and are proven litigators. We have handled every type of criminal case from A to Z.

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Step 1: The Arrest

Don’t let the police take advantage of you while you’re in custody. Call Walsh Law right away, and we’ll get to work protecting your rights so you don’t inadvertently self-incriminate.
Step 2: The Arraignment

Walsh Law is an aggressive Folsom criminal defense firm that can argue for reasonable bail and help you await the end of your case from the comfort of your home.
Step 3: Pre-Trial Hearings

We’ll evaluate the prosecution’s case, challenge weak evidence and inconsistencies, and do our due diligence to get the charges against you reduced or dropped.

Folsom Prostitution Lawyer

Selling sex is illegal in California, and doing so can result in criminal charges for both the buyer and seller. You may be surprised to learn you can be arrested even if the exchange didn’t take place.

Regardless of what led to you being charged, you should seek the help of a Folsom prostitution lawyer. The Walsh Law team will investigate what happened, explain how the law applies to your case, and fight to protect your rights.

Call (916) 610-3558 today or submit an online contact form to schedule an initial consultation.

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Values You Can Relate To

Our Client Testimonials

“I have permanently added him to my contacts for any future needs. THANK YOU CHRIS!!”
“I am always able to get ahold of him directly either by cell or text including after hours and if for some reason he isn’t immediately available, he responds as soon as he can.”

- Melissa C.
“Mr Walsh is the very best!!”
“He was compassionate and explained to me what to expect in an easy way for me to understand. He was straightforward and delivered on what he said he could do for me!”

- Claudia H.
“I would like to thank Chris for helping me achieve a better deal.”
“I was in a bit of a situation and public defenders weren’t doing anything to help my case as if they didn’t have time. Which they don’t, but Chris Walsh did and came up with a few methods to fight my case.”

- Dewan P.

California Prostitution Laws

California Penal Code § 647(b) covers the state’s prostitution laws. Soliciting, agreeing to engage in, or engaging in an act of prostitution are all prohibited under the statute. Both sex workers and “johns” can be charged with solicitation even if the sex act never happened or if one party refused.

The prosecution must prove that the defendant meets the following elements of the offense:

Offered to commit a sexual act or requested a sexual act from someone else
Agreed to engage in the act in exchange for compensation, money, or anything else of value
Intended to commit the sexual act

Activities That Count as Prostitution

While you may think of prostitution as only involving the exchange of money for sex, the legal definition is wider. Under state law, even offering such an exchange is prohibited — even if sex doesn’t take place.

Similarly, the exchange doesn’t necessarily need to involve cash. It is a violation of the law to promise to engage in sex for any valuable property or service.

Finally, the action does not need to suggest sexual intercourse. Any act that occurs for the purpose of sexual gratification can violate the law if it’s in exchange for payment. A prostitution attorney in Folsom can further explain which activities may lead to an arrest under the law.

Call (916) 610-3558 today or online to schedule an initial consultation.

Charges Related to Prostitution

California law also defines several offenses which may be charged alongside prostitution, such as:

Pimping (Penal Code 266(h)) — profiting off another’s act of prostitution
Pandering (Penal Code 266(i)) — persuading or forcing someone into prostitution
Supervising or aiding a prostitute (Penal Code 653.23) — directing, recruiting, or otherwise aiding someone in prostitution
Indecent exposure (Penal Code 314) — willfully or lewdly exposing private parts in a public place
Human trafficking (Penal Code 236.1) — depriving or violating the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services, including prostitution

Consequences of a Prostitution Conviction in Folsom

Prostitution and solicitation are generally charged as misdemeanors, but even a low-level charge can carry substantial penalties. A first-time offender can face:

Up to six months in county jail;
A maximum fine of $1,000
Up to three years’ probation

Penalties become steeper if the defendant has a prior conviction for prostitution. Second-time offenders face a mandatory 45-day jail sentence, and subsequent offenses carry 90 days in jail. If the case involved a person under 18, you could face a lengthy prison sentence and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $25,000 for enticing a minor to commit prostitution.

Being convicted of prostitution on its own wouldn’t require you to register as a sex offender, but being found guilty of enticing a minor would. This could jeopardize future employment opportunities, housing options, child custody, and more.

Prostitution Charge Defenses

Prosecutors must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to convict you of prostitution. This means showing that an agreement was made to exchange payment for a sex act. A prostitution lawyer in Folsom can investigate the allegations to come up with the best defense to dispute the charge.

For example, one potential defense option is to argue that the sexual encounter did not involve the exchange of compensation. Your attorney could use text messages or other evidence to help prove a consensual sexual encounter free from expectations.

Prostitution charges also frequently stem from sting operations conducted by police. If officers violated the law by coercing you into committing an act you wouldn’t have otherwise, you may be able to use entrapment as a defense to help you get the charges dropped or reduced.

Finally, people facing prostitution charges may be able to defend themselves by showing they were forced into the situation by someone else. Your attorney will evaluate the defense strategies to maximize your chances of avoiding conviction.

Contact A Folsom Prostitution Attorney Today

Being accused of prostitution or solicitation can carry a strong stigma and significant criminal penalties. A conviction on your record can haunt you for years, maybe even for life if you’re required to register as a sex offender.

Although many prostitution and solicitation charges are misdemeanors, you shouldn’t take a plea deal without a fight. As a former prosecutor, attorney Chris Walsh of Walsh Law knows how to fiercely fight the charges you face. We’ll explain what you’re up against and find the best path forward to clearing your name and avoiding conviction.

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Meet Our Team

We know it’s easy to get swept up with emotions and confusion in the aftermath of being charged with a crime. That’s why our Folsom criminal defense attorneys aim to shoulder as much of the burden as we can, providing reassurance plus honest insight and advice where you need it.

Learn More About Us

Why Walsh Law?

Walsh Law’s mission is to be the gold standard of criminal defense by providing superior legal advocacy in the face of potentially life-changing consequences.

Chris Walsh is a former prosecutor, so we know what you’re up against when you face criminal charges. Now, clients like you get to benefit from what we’ve learned in our careers and how we apply what we know to get the results you’re after.

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Authenticity
White-glove service with a healthy dose of blue-collar attitude. We're straight shooters driven by our strong fighting spirit to prevail.
Determination
It's the hallmark of our style of practice. We'll contest every case as far as necessary, are laser-focused on getting results, and we'll press on even if the going gets tough.
Excellence
We strive to achieve the best results possible but are never satisfied with just that. We constantly seek opportunities for improvement and follow through to get better.
Intelligence
We work smart and hard. We know the intricacies of the law and won't miss a chance to jump on a case's weak spots. Our strengths lie in skillfully sifting through case details to identify what's most important to a jury and presenting the facts persuasively.
Quality
We take pride in what we do and our record of results. No matter what our clients are going through, we're committed to protecting their rights and acting in their best interest.