Miami Prostitution Solicitation Attorney

Former Prosecutor. Boutique Attention. Fighting for Miami Clients 24/7.

A prostitution or solicitation arrest in Miami carries consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom. Employment, professional licenses, and immigration status can all be affected before a case ever goes to trial. At Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A., attorney Armando J. Hernandez brings over 20 years of Florida criminal law experience and a background as a former state prosecutor to every client’s defense. That prosecutorial foundation means we understand how Miami-Dade prosecutors build these cases and where they can be challenged.

Our firm operates as a boutique criminal defense practice. Clients receive direct attorney attention rather than being handed off to support staff. We’re available 24/7, so if you’ve been arrested, you don’t have to wait until business hours to speak with a Miami prostitution attorney. We also provide legal services in Spanish, an important consideration in a city as linguistically diverse as Miami.

If you’ve been arrested for prostitution or solicitation in Miami, call Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A. now at (305) 400-0074. Attorney Hernandez is available around the clock and can begin evaluating your case immediately.

What Florida Law Prohibits Under Florida Statute 796.07

Florida Statute 796.07 is the primary law governing prostitution and solicitation offenses in Florida, and it criminalizes a broader range of conduct than most people realize. No money needs to change hands for an arrest to occur. Offering or agreeing to exchange sexual activity for anything of value can be sufficient to trigger a charge.

The statute covers the following conduct:

• Engaging in prostitution: Participating in or offering to participate in sexual activity in exchange for compensation
• Purchasing prostitution services: Paying or offering to pay for sexual activity
• Soliciting or procuring: Inducing, enticing, or requesting another person to engage in prostitution
• Operating a location for prostitution: Maintaining, owning, or managing a place used for prostitution
• Renting space with knowledge of its use: Leasing or providing property you know will be used for prostitution
• Aiding or abetting: Assisting, directing, or supporting any of the above acts

Making an appointment to engage in sexual acts constitutes solicitation under Florida law, and advertising escort services can trigger an undercover investigation when the nature of the service crosses legal lines. Both the person offering and the person paying can face charges. In circumstances involving a minor or conduct crossing state lines, federal charges may apply as well.

Penalties for Prostitution & Solicitation in Florida

Penalty exposure depends on the specific offense and whether a person has prior convictions. Solicitation and engaging in prostitution follow different penalty tracks, and the distinction matters significantly when evaluating your actual risk.

Engaging in Prostitution

A first offense for engaging in prostitution is a second-degree misdemeanor, carrying up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second offense rises to a first-degree misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. A third or subsequent offense is a third-degree felony with up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Solicitation of Prostitution

Solicitation starts at a higher baseline. A first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. A second offense is a third-degree felony with up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. Subsequent offenses reach second-degree felony territory with up to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

Every solicitation conviction also carries a mandatory $5,000 civil penalty on top of criminal penalties. Additional consequences specific to solicitation convictions can include mandatory enrollment in a human trafficking awareness program, vehicle impoundment of up to 60 days if a vehicle was used in the offense, registration in Florida’s Soliciting for Prostitution Public Database with your name and photo made public, mandatory STD testing, and automatic driver’s license revocation.

Promoting or Profiting from Prostitution

Deriving support or earnings from prostitution under Florida Statute 796.05 is a second-degree felony for a first offense, carrying up to 15 years in prison. Subsequent offenses escalate to a first-degree felony, with a mandatory minimum 10-year term for a third offense. Charges involving a minor or human trafficking fall under Florida Statute 787.06 and can reach first-degree felony or life felony classification.

A conviction at any level can appear on background checks, affecting future employment, professional licensing, and in some cases, immigration status. Understanding the full scope of your exposure is essential before deciding how to respond to the charges.

Defense Strategies for Prostitution & Solicitation Charges in Miami

Attorney Hernandez’s background as a former Florida prosecutor shapes how we approach every case. We evaluate the evidence from the same lens the prosecution will use, which means we can identify weaknesses early and act before the case hardens. Miami law enforcement regularly conducts undercover sting operations targeting solicitation, and these operations must follow strict constitutional limits. When they don’t, the evidence collected may be suppressible and the case may be dismissed.

Common defenses in prostitution and solicitation cases include:

• Entrapment: Law enforcement may not induce or pressure a person into committing an offense they wouldn’t have otherwise committed. If an officer crossed that line during a sting operation, an entrapment defense may apply.
• Lack of evidence: The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an agreement for sexual activity in exchange for compensation occurred. Insufficient or unreliable evidence can support a motion to dismiss or a challenge at trial.
• Constitutional violations: Evidence gathered in violation of your Fourth or Fifth Amendment rights may be suppressed, which can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.
• Mistaken identity or intent: In online sting operations, misidentification or miscommunication about intent can lead to charges that don’t accurately reflect what occurred.

Early intervention matters. The sooner we can review the facts, the better positioned we are to challenge the case at the investigation stage before formal charges are filed.

Why Miami Clients Choose Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A.

Facing a prostitution or solicitation charge in Miami means navigating a system that moves quickly and carries lasting consequences. Clients come to us because we offer the strategic insight of a former prosecutor combined with the individualized attention of a boutique practice.

Former Prosecutor Insight
Attorney Hernandez has more than 20 years of experience in Florida criminal law. He is recognized by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers and America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys. His prosecutorial background means we evaluate the state’s case from the inside out, identifying weaknesses in how Miami-Dade prosecutors build prostitution and solicitation charges.

Boutique Attention on Every Case
You speak with your attorney directly, your calls are returned, and your case receives the thorough evaluation needed to identify viable defenses before they become harder to raise. We maintain constant communication and provide ongoing updates as your case develops.

24/7 Availability & Spanish-Language Services
We’re available the moment an arrest occurs. For Spanish-speaking clients, we provide full legal services in Spanish throughout the representation.

Speak with a Miami Prostitution Attorney Today

A prostitution or solicitation arrest in Miami demands immediate, experienced legal attention. The decisions made in the hours and days after an arrest can shape the entire trajectory of your case. At Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A., we’re available around the clock to evaluate your situation and explain your options clearly. Don’t face Miami-Dade’s criminal courts without a lawyer who understands how these cases are built and how to defend them.

Call Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A. now at (305) 400-0074 to speak directly with a Miami prostitution attorney.