Contact Us
Attorney Chandon S. Alexander is a Las Vegas lawyer who is an active member of the National Trial Lawyers Association and has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Attorneys under 40. He is a member of the Clark County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Nevada Justice Association.
Although some out-of-towners might think that all forms of prostitution are legal in Las Vegas, that is certainly not the case. Prostitution might be allowed in other parts of Nevada, but it’s undoubtedly illegal within Clark County, which includes Las Vegas. So if you don’t want to get caught up on solicitation charges, brush up on your understanding of what constitutes both solicitation and prostitution. And know that if you do end up getting charged with either one while you’re in Sin City, there are still criminal defense options available for you.
At the Spartacus Law Firm, our priority is to ensure that you receive the best legal defense possible. Our experienced Las Vegas solicitation defense attorney will work tirelessly on your case and provide you with the resources and knowledge you need to win in court. We offer a free initial consultation so that we can assess your case and determine how we can best help you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and learn more about how we can help.
In Nevada, sex crimes come in many different forms, but prostitution and solicitation are two of the most common. In the state of Nevada, there is no legal difference between prostitution (selling sex acts in exchange for money) and soliciting prostitution (offering or agreeing to sell sex acts in exchange for money). Both actions break the law, and you will be subject to the same punishment whether any sexual activity took place or not. Most people who are arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution are caught by undercover officers while they are attempting to solicit customers in public places like bars or restrooms.
Prostitution is a misdemeanor under Nevada state law, NRS 201.354. A sex worker who is convicted may face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of at least $400. The soliciting of a minor for prostitution (someone under the age of 18) is considered a felony in Nevada. As you can see, this crime has considerably stiffer repercussions:
NRS 201.300: pandering is defined as the act of persuading, encouraging, or causing another person to unlawfully take part in prostitution.
If the person is persuaded to do something without the threat or fear of retaliation, this is a crime. If someone incentivizes another to engage in sexual conduct for money without using physical force, it’s pandering. This is considered a Category C felony and carries a sentence ranging from one year to five years in jail along with a fine of up to $10,000. However, if someone is charged with sex trafficking because he or she:
If someone is convicted of sex trafficking, they may be charged with a Category B felony in Nevada. This is punishable by imprisonment for three to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000 according to NRS 201.300.
To “solicit” something is to ask or petition for something. Some definitions even describe it as “urgently ask.” What then does it mean when we speak of online solicitation? Online solicitation can be charged as a sex crime, particularly when it involves someone under the age of 18. Solicitation can also refer to prostitution. While solicitation can carry a number of different connotations, it is typically charged as a sex crime against a minor. In the state of Nevada, soliciting a minor to engage in an “infamous crime against nature” is prohibited by NRS § 201.195.
It is also possible to be charged with open and gross lewdness with a minor under the age of 14 if you request a minor through an internet chat room or another online medium for sexual gratification. Chat rooms and the like are notorious for sex crime accusations. If you were accused of requesting sexual services, pictures, or anything similar from a child over the internet, you should contact our Las Vegas solicitation defense attorney right away. Regardless of how complicated or complex your situation appears, you can trust our firm to give you the legal assistance you need.
The most typical defense to Nevada solicitation charges is that you did not knowingly propose – or agree to trade – sexual services for money. Sex workers frequently use coded language, and it’s possible that you misunderstood what was being said. Unless there was an overt act of solicitation, the charge should be dropped.
Another possible defense is that you were entrapped by the police during a solicitation sting operation. If the undercover police officer pressured you into solicitation when you showed no prior inclination to do so – and would not have done it but for said pressure – then the police committed entrapment. Depending on the case, any money exchanged can be argued as unconnected to sexual conduct; potentially just a loan or payment for some other good or service.
More often than not, Las Vegas prosecutors are willing to let go of first-time solicitation or prostitution charges if the individual agrees to this plea bargain:
The sentence will be dismissed with no time in jail once you have completed the conditions. In some instances, prosecutors who are hesitant to dismiss the matter may accept a lesser charge change instead of dismissing the case entirely. Disorderly conduct (NRS 207.200) and trespass (NRS 207.200) are examples of this. If you’re facing prostitution or solicitation charges in Nevada, you may be able to get your charges dismissed. Contact our Las Vegas prostitution and solicitation attorney today.
Although prostitution and the solicitation of prostitution are illegal under Nevada state law, there are a few rural counties where it is allowed in licensed establishments. All other forms of prostitution, including brothels, remain completely illegal in places like Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, and Carson City. Nevada law does not outright forbid escort services, but many people believe them to be fronts for prostitution. Law enforcement in Las Vegas will sometimes go undercover as “johns,” or men who buy prostitutes’ time and company, to apprehend those breaking the law.
Only in the following Nevada counties is regulated, licensed brothel prostitution currently lawful:
Outside Nevada’s legal brothels, these counties ban any form of prostitution. All sex workers working for a properly licensed house of prostitution are required by law to meet the following guidelines:
Examples of illegal prostitution in Nevada include:
Escort services are legal in Las Vegas as long as:
In reality, most escort agencies are fronts for prostitution. Police frequently conduct undercover stings to catch escorts offering or agreeing to trade money for sex. However, this can sometimes be considered entrapment and be used as a viable defense on your behalf. If you’re facing similar charges, contact our Las Vegas prostitution and solicitation attorney today.
If you’ve been charged with prostitution or solicitation in Nevada, you must seek legal counsel as soon as possible to avoid harsh and life-altering penalties. Our Las Vegas solicitation defense attorney, Chandon Alexander, routinely represents sex crime cases and will have the legal knowledge you need to secure the best possible outcome in your case. Contact the Spartacus Law Firm today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.