Your Criminal Defense Attorneys in Ocala and Gainesville for Charges of Solicitation

Criminal Defense Attorneys Alavi and Pozzuto provide aggressive defense for clients being investigated, prosecuted or held by the Federal Government. If you are facing serious criminal charges and a potentially life altering conviction consult with a Florida Federal Criminal Defense lawyer who understands the challenging and complicated federal Court system and has negotiated tough solutions with Federal prosecutors. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing professional, compassionate representation to their clients. With over 55 years combined legal experience in the state of Florida, we can assist you with your solicitation charge.

Florida law , Florida statute 777.04(1) defines “attempt to commit a crime” as an attempt to commit an offense that is forbidden by law and in such an attempt “does any act toward the commission” of such offense” yet is intercepted or prevented from actual execution of the crime. The prosecutors must show you had the intention to commit a crime and that you took some action in furthering that intention.

What is Solicitation?

Florida Statute 777.04(2) describes solicitation as occurring when someone solicits another person to commit an illegal act and in the course of doing so commands, encourages, hires, or requests another person to engage in conduct that would constitute such offenses or an attempt to commit such offense. It is not necessary with solicitation that you personally did anything to further the offense that was solicited. You do not need to commit the act or to make a payment in order to be convicted for solicitation of a criminal act.

A conspiracy occurs when a defendant goes beyond asking someone else to commit a crime, and involves the defendant agreeing with the other person to carry out a crime together. To prove conspiracy, it must be proved that the defendant asked another person to commit a crime and that the defendant agreed with the other person to commit a crime. If after conspiring to commit a crime, the defendant either convinced or prevented the other person from carrying out the crime, the defendant will not be convicted of conspiracy.

Penalties for Solicitation

Punishment for solicitation depends on the severity of the crime. Solicitation for prostitution is a second-degree misdemeanor, which is a penalty of a maximum of 60-day jail and a $500 fine. If the offense is third degree felony theft, the penalty for attempt, solicitation or conspiracy will be a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison. On the charge of second-degree murder, a first-degree felony, the crime of attempt, solicitation or conspiracy is a second-degree felony carrying a maximum 15-year prison sentence and in some cases, it can carry a maximum prison term of 30 years.

Contact The Criminal Defense Attorneys at The AP Law Group

It is extremely important to consult with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you discover that you are under investigation for a state or federal criminal charge. Once a case is charged, the consequences can become very serious. Contact federal crimes lawyers Alavi and Pozzuto at 352-732-9191.