"loitering for the purpose of prostitution"
[QUOTE=HellsKitchen;1392488]Your name can appear in the paper and log for "loitering for the purpose of prostitution". You were convicted. You plead guilty. If they had thought there was a chance of pinning a solicitation charge against you, they would have charged you with it. You could use a lawyer for such, but it can be costly. If you use your due diligence, you can just plea not guilty and ask prosecution to prove their claim. Unless of course you were indeed blatantly guilty and knew it, then I would understand taking such deal.[/QUOTE]If it were me in that situation I would sort out all the facts. What do the cops have on you? Did they catch you in any incriminating act such as asking a decoy questions regarding paying for sex? Are there any witnesses that would testify they heard you trying to buy sex? Did any money change hands? When confronted with these situations you should always deny everything. If they feel they have enough evidence against you they will prosecute. They must also present that evidence to you. At that time you can determine if there is a need for a lawyer.
Being in an area of known prostitution is not a crime in itself. You could have been searching for a particular person that you may know, such as a relative or friend that is on the skids. Just trying to help and keep that person out of trouble.
The prosecution banks on the fact that one may not have a backbone and will crumble under pressure. To them it's dollars and cents. If they can not go to court with a rock solid case most times they will look elsewhere.
Assuming one was convicted, if it were a first offense chances are that person would be let go on probation or a fine or maybe both.
In my entire life I have never met anybody that has gone to jail for solicitation. Think about that.
Of course this is all MHO.
Beware. Enter at your own peril.
The prosecutor and LE and very sad to say even the judges most times work, play, socialize and even sometimes live together. It's a very dirty system and it is WHO you know. I have seen it firsthand more than once. At first I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but so is the case.
I apologize if you are reading this and you are one of the few clean, fair and trustworthy workers in the field, but IMHO you are a rare exception. We need more like you. Favors, perks, looking the other way is the way of life there. That's the way "the system" works.
It's amazing how much trouble thinking with the little head can get us into. Beware!
Stay safe and smart,
Runner.
[QUOTE=Gator145;1393581]The prosecutor could very well have something up their sleeve. Put them and a cop together no telling what kind of a story they might concoct. I do agree they are sneaky bastards and I wouldn't put anything past them. Proceed with caution my friend.[/QUOTE]