Facing a prostitution or solicitation charge under California Penal Code § 647(b) can upend your life in seconds. Tung & Associates steps in immediately to protect your freedom, your record, and your reputation. We know a first conviction risks up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine, while a second or third conviction carries mandatory jail time. Therefore, every move we take is laser-focused on avoiding those outcomes.
Our team also stays current on reform. We routinely leverage Los Angeles County’s diversion programs to earn outright dismissals and keep records clean.
From the first phone call to the last court date, we take a personal, hands-on approach. You speak directly with Pasadena solicitation lawyer, Antony Tung, not a case manager. We answer your questions at (626) 416-4668, prepare you for each step, and fight aggressively in court while treating you with dignity outside it. If you want both legal firepower and a lawyer who genuinely cares about your future, we are ready to stand beside you.
What Is Considered “Prostitution” or “Solicitation” Under California Penal Code § 647(b)?
California’s prostitution statute casts a wide net. Prostitution is simply performing a sexual act in exchange for money or anything of value. Solicitation means asking for, offering, or agreeing to that act with the intent it will happen. The crime is complete once a person makes the agreement and takes even a small “act in furtherance,” such as driving to an agreed location, withdrawing cash, or sending a confirming text.
The law also covers “lewd acts,” which include touching the genitals, buttocks, or female breast for sexual gratification when payment is involved. Because payment can be cash, gifts, drugs, or favors, the statute applies far beyond stereotypical street corner exchanges.
Why does this matter? Prosecutors don’t need proof that sex actually occurred, only that an intentional agreement was reached and a step toward carrying it out was taken. That low threshold explains why undercover stings often lead to arrests based solely on conversations or quick gestures. Understanding these elements is the first key to attacking the charge: if intent, agreement, or a qualifying act is missing, the case unravels.
Where Do Prostitution Stings Commonly Occur and Why Does Location Matter?
Prostitution stings concentrate in predictable hotspots across Pasadena and Los Angeles. Police pick these areas because community complaints, traffic patterns, and prior arrest data show a steady flow of potential “johns.” Knowing where and how stings happen helps our attorneys challenge whether officers had lawful grounds to stop or arrest you.
- East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena: A 2009 operation along this corridor netted 19 arrests in just a few hours, proving how aggressively Pasadena Police target the area. If you were stopped here, we scrutinize whether officers relied on generalized suspicion rather than specific evidence.
- Western Avenue near USC (110 Freeway): LAPD “trick task forces” routinely use undercover decoys at Western Ave. and 41st Street. The high volume of students and commuters often leads to rushed identifications; we test every claim of an explicit agreement.
- Van Nuys & Sepulveda Boulevards, San Fernando Valley: These wide arterial roads see rolling stings from vice units. Heavy traffic gives police cover to pull over drivers with minimal cause, which lets us probe for Fourth Amendment violations.
- Hollywood nightlife district & LAX hotels: Undercover officers approach patrons in bars or hotel lobbies. Because conversations are brief and rarely recorded, the evidence often rests on a single officer’s notes.
Why highlight these places? If an arrest happened in a sting heavy zone, it may reveal scripted tactics or quota driven stops. Where you were stopped is often the first clue to whether we can get your case reduced or thrown out entirely.
What Happens After a Solicitation Arrest and Why Does Each Step Matter?
After police make a prostitution arrest, the process moves quickly and follows predictable steps. Understanding these milestones lets us intervene early to protect your record and freedom.
Arrest or Citation
In sting operations, officers often issue a citation on the spot instead of booking you into jail. A citation may feel informal, but it still triggers a criminal case that can end in jail time, so calling counsel immediately is critical.
Vehicle Impoundment Risk
If police believe your car facilitated the offense they can hold it for up to 30 days. For first time offenders, we often persuade police or the court that impoundment is unnecessary, saving you hundreds in tow and storage fees.
Arraignment (First Court Date)
Courts usually set arraignments 2-3 months after the citation. At this hearing, the judge reads the charge and asks for your plea. We always enter “not guilty” so we can review evidence, pursue diversion, or negotiate a reduction before any conviction appears on your record.
Pre-Trial Hearings and Motions
Once arraignment is complete, the case moves into discovery and negotiation. We request bodycam footage, dispatch logs, and undercover transcripts, then file motions to suppress weak evidence or claim entrapment. Early pressure often convinces prosecutors to offer diversion or a plea to a lesser offense.
Trial (Rare but Possible)
If talks break down, the matter may proceed to trial, where the prosecution must prove intent, agreement, and an “act in furtherance” beyond a reasonable doubt. Because many stings rely solely on an officer’s word, reasonable doubt is common; knowing this, we often secure favorable deals long before a jury is empaneled.
Why Act Fast? Each stage offers a unique chance to limit damage. Dismissal before charges are filed, vehicle release, diversion instead of jail, or suppression of tainted evidence, are just some of the issues to consider. By calling us at (626) 416-4668 right after an arrest, you give our Pasadena prostitution attorneys maximum leverage to steer the process toward the best possible outcome.
What Penalties and Sentencing Do California Prostitution Charges Carry?
A conviction under Penal Code § 647(b) is always a misdemeanor but the consequences escalate quickly with repeat offenses.
- First offense: Up to 6 months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Courts often suspend jail for clean records.
- Second offense: State law imposes a mandatory 45-day jail minimum; judges cannot waive it.
- Third offense: The floor jumps to 90 days in jail, making an aggressive strategy essential to avoid repeat convictions.
Probation
Most first timers receive 1 to 3 years of informal probation with conditions such as HIV testing, a “John School” class, and staying out of known hot zones.
Driver’s license suspension
If the act involves a vehicle within 1,000 feet of a residence, courts may suspend your license for up to 30 days.
Vehicle impound
Prior offenses let police hold a car for 30 days as a “public nuisance,” adding towing and storage fees.
Sex offender registration
Not required for standard § 647(b) convictions.
Why does this matter? Knowing the statutory minimums and collateral risks lets our Pasadena attorneys target diversion or charge reductions that eliminate mandatory jail, protect driving privileges, and keep your record clean.
Can I Avoid Jail or Conviction Through a Diversion Program?
Yes. For many first-time offenders, Los Angeles County offers alternatives that spare them both jail and a lifelong record. The City Attorney routinely steers eligible clients into a Prostitution Diversion Program (PDP), sometimes called “John School.” If you complete a one-day class, submit to HIV/AIDS testing, and remain arrest-free for a year, prosecutors will dismiss the case outright, leaving you with no conviction to disclose.
Even if PDP isn’t offered, we push for other off-ramps: Deferred Entry of Judgment, which erases the charge after conditions are met, or a plea to a lesser non-sex related offense such as disturbing the peace (PC 415). Why is that important? Lesser pleas avoid mandatory jail for repeat § 647(b) convictions and carry far less stigma with employers, licensing boards, and immigration officials. We analyze every fact to secure the exit ramp that keeps your name, license, and livelihood intact.
Why Should You Trust Pasadena Lawyer Antony Tung With Your Future?
Choosing the right attorney is the single most important decision you can make after an arrest. We blend proven courtroom skill with genuine compassion, focusing every effort on keeping you out of jail and off public record.
What Sets Us Apart?
- Track record of success: We have secured outright dismissals through diversion and reduced many solicitation charges to non-sex related infractions.
- Up to date strategies: By leveraging recent reforms like SB 233 and SB 357, we raise defenses other firms miss.
- Relentless advocacy: Whether cross-examining undercover officers or filing motions to suppress shaky evidence, we push hard at every stage.
- Client first access: You speak directly with me, Antony Tung. Because rapid answers calm fears and prevent missteps.
- Confidential, judgment-free counsel: We protect your privacy and dignity while fighting to safeguard your livelihood and reputation.
Ready for help? Call (626) 416-4668 now or contact Tung & Associates through our confidential online form. A compassionate Pasadena prostitution attorney will review your case, explain your best options, and start protecting your future today.
