Solicitation of Prostitution:
How the Law is Enforced in Las Vegas, Nevada
Solicitation charge in Las Vegas
If you got arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Las Vegas, you need to hire a local criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights.
We invite you to call us at 702-432-1000. The initial consultation is always free and confidential.
Where people get arrested for solicitation of prostitution
Allegations of solicitation of prostitution in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada often arise through sting operations. The Las Vegas Metro Police typically targets Las Vegas hotels, casinos, adult entertainment clubs, escort services, massage parlors, and other adult establishments.
Penalties for soliciting a prostitute in Las Vegas
Soliciting a prostitute is a misdemeanor offense in Las Vegas, Nevada. It can lead to up to 6 months in jail and carry fines up to $1,000, plus public embarrassment and a tarnished criminal record.
The Nevada Revised Statutes NRS 201.354 explains the laws regarding prostitution and solicitation of prostitution in Las Vegas and the rest of Nevada.
What happens after the arrest
The majority of cases our law firm handles involve the solicitation of prostitution arrests in Las Vegas hotels and casinos. It often involves out-of-state visitors or visitors from other countries.
Police Stop. Solicitation of prostitution charges may begin with a stop by hotel security. Hotel security guards do not have the power to issue citations for soliciting prostitution. But, if they suspect soliciting is occurring, they can hold you until Las Vegas Metropolitan police arrive.
After a brief review of the situation, the police may decide whether soliciting was occurring and issue a citation or make an arrest. In some Las Vegas hotels, the police may also stand guard, much like security. However, they have powers to arrest and issue citations, which, in most situations, hotel security cannot do.
Spending a Night in Jail. If you were stopped on or near the Las Vegas Strip, and the police decide to arrest you for soliciting a prostitute, they will take you to the local jail. It could be CCDC (Clark County Detention Center) located in downtown Las Vegas. If the jail is experiencing overflow, then you may be moved to the City of Las Vegas jail.
Typically, for a solicitation of prostitute charges, you can expect to spend a night in jail before being released. Nonviolent offenders are often released sooner than offenders of violent crimes. Soliciting of prostitution is considered a nonviolent offense.
Posting Bail. Family members and close friends are often in a hurry to get their travel companions released as soon as possible. It is especially true for people visiting from out of town.
The truth is, because prostitution is a nonviolent offense, the offender is usually released relatively quickly, even if bail is not posted. In most instances, this means that paying to bail bondsman to post bond may not make financial sense for a soliciting of prostitution charge.
Paperwork After Being Released. When a soliciting of prostitution defendant is released from jail, they will be given the paperwork related to the charge. That paperwork states a) the court date for the first court appearance and b) the charges they can expect to face.
The court date is subject to change, and you may or may not be notified of the change. And, if you do not appear at the court date, the judge will issue a Bench Warrant for your arrest, which will stay on your record indefinitely or until you appear in court. So, you cannot just ignore the charge.
If you are a tourist vacationing in Las Vegas, you either have to cancel your flight back home and stay in the hotel until the matter is resolved, or you need to hire a good criminal defense attorney who can represent you in court.
In Nevada, the attorney can waive your presence during the hearing.
Questions? Call us at 702-432-1000.
Background check and solicitation of prostitution charge
A solicitation of prostitution charges can be an embarrassing mark on your criminal history. Even though a soliciting of prostitution charge is a misdemeanor offense, this criminal charge will appear if your employer runs a routine background check. Furthermore, it will create many problems when you are applying to college, trying to rent an apartment, seeking any financial aid, or need to get a mortgage to buy a house.
Out-of-state visitors
Many clients ask us, "I don't live in Nevada. I live in a different state. Will my employer find out about my solicitation of prostitution charge in Nevada?"
The answer is yes. If your employer regularly runs a thorough background check, they will find out about your arrest. They may be able to see your entire citation history. So, yes, if you are a resident of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, or any other state and your arrest took place in Nevada, your employer will still see it.
Foreign visitors
Another popular question is, "Should I worry about solicitation of prostitution arrest if I don't live in the U.S.?" or "What are the rules for foreign nationals?" or "What are the consequences of being arrested in the U.S. for solicitation of prostitution for a foreign national?"
If you live, let's say, in Canada, France, or the United Kingdom, your solicitation of prostitution charge will likely not prevent you from reentry to the United States. However, if one day you decide to apply for a permanent visa, there may be immigration consequences.
Record sealing for
solicitation of prostitution
You can seal your solicitation of prostitution charge.
If you were arrested in Nevada, a record sealing process should be originated in Nevada. You can begin the application process to seal a person's soliciting charge as soon as the charge is dismissed.
Read our article that explains the record sealing process in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada.
We can help
At Heshmati & Associates, we handle the solicitation of prostitution charges all the time. We have a high rate of success in dismissing this charge. We can often handle the entire case, from beginning to end, without the client having to fly back to Las Vegas.
We are very discreet. We will communicate with you via text, e-mails, Skype, whatever works for you. We will never call your home without your permission.
Call us at 702-432-1000 with any questions you may have.
Walk-ins are welcome.
