Is Prostitution and Solicitation the Same Thing in Pasadena?

Facing a prostitution or solicitation charge can feel isolating, but at Tung & Associates you are never alone. We deliver swift, nonjudgmental help backed by Attorney Antony Tung’s near-17 years of courtroom experience. That experience lets me spot weak evidence, anticipate the government’s tactics, and design a strategy aimed at dismissal or a recordsaving diversion.

We keep the phone on day and night because a crisis rarely happens during business hours. In every call and meeting we speak plainly, respect your story, and guide you step by step through the process, whether that means challenging a sting, negotiating “John School” diversion, or fighting the case at trial. Our goal is simple: protect your freedom, your record, and your future with compassionate, effective advocacy.

What’s the legal difference?

Prostitution and solicitation fall under California Penal Code § 647(b), yet each targets a distinct step in a commercial sex transaction. Recognizing the gap helps us craft a focused case.

• Prostitution = performing the sexual act for payment.
• Solicitation = asking, offering, or agreeing to pay (or be paid) for that act even if no sex occurs.

Why it Matters

Prosecutors must prove an overt sexual act for prostitution, but only an agreement plus intent for solicitation. If the State lacks that key element, we can press for dismissal or diversion. Our attorneys use this distinction to challenge shaky stings and to pursue the outcome that protects your future.

What does California law actually say about prostitution and solicitation?

California defines and punishes prostitution-related offenses in a single statute. Knowing its wording and its recent updates lets us spot weaknesses in the State’s case and push for dismissals or diversion.

Penal Code § 647(b) makes it a misdemeanor to (1) engage in paid sexual activity, (2) solicit or request it, or (3) agree to do so and perform an overt act toward completion. The statute covers both the person offering sex and the person offering payment, so police often arrest buyers and sellers together. Minors involved in prostitution are treated as exploited victims, but adults face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for a first conviction.

What must prosecutors prove to convict in a Pasadena prostitution related case?

To convict in any Pasadena prostitution case, prosecutors must prove each element of Penal Code § 647(b) beyond a reasonable doubt. That means demonstrating either a completed sexual act for money, a clear request or offer for paid sex with intent, or an agreement followed by an overt step such as driving to a meeting spot.

For a straight “engaging” charge, they need hard evidence.  Think recorded intercourse in a motel after cash changes hands. A solicitation case, by contrast, hinges on words and intent; a vague flirtation in a sting will not suffice. When prosecutors allege the “agreeing & acting” prong, they must show both a deal and an act that actually furthers it; merely texting an address or sitting in a parked car may fall short.

If any link is weak, we seize on that gap to negotiate diversion, push for reduction, or secure outright dismissal. Our job is to expose reasonable doubt so the State cannot clear its evidentiary hurdles.

What penalties could you face for prostitution or solicitation in LA county?

A first conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Judges often grant informal probation, but the jail term is always on the table.

• Second offense. California imposes a mandatory 45-day jail term.  The judge cannot waive it.
• Third or later offense. The minimum jumps to 90 days, with the same six-month maximum still in play. We push hard for diversion or charge reductions to break this cycle before it starts.

If police say you solicited from a vehicle, the court may suspend your driver’s license for 30 days or issue a six-month restricted license.

If the alleged act occurred within 1,000 feet of a residence, prosecutors can request sentencing enhancements aimed at “protecting neighborhoods.” We argue proportionality and seek dismissal of location add-ons whenever the evidence is thin.

How Do Police Build Cases and How Can We Dismantle Them?

Pasadena police assemble these cases through undercover operations designed to capture requests for paid sex on record. We study every step of their playbook to expose errors and entrapment.

Street and hotel stings
Undercover officers pose as sex workers or as customers to prompt an explicit offer. When decoys coax or pressure a target, we argue entrapment and ask the judge to throw the case out.

Online reverse stings
Investigators post ads on websites and messaging apps, lure users into private chats, then arrest them at a meeting spot. We comb the transcripts for missing price terms, vague language, or ambiguous emojis that undercut the “clear agreement” the State must show.

Recording and text evidence
Police rely on hidden microphones, bodycam video, and phone screenshots. We demand chain of custody records, confirm device time stamps, and question whether editing or gaps make the evidence unreliable, often persuading prosecutors to drop or reduce charges.

The entire prosecution hinges on these sting details. By uncovering procedural mistakes, pushing entrapment defenses, or suppressing shaky recordings, we create the leverage needed to seek dismissal, diversion, or a plea that protects your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you have to register as a sex offender?
No  PC 647(b) does not require sex offender registration. That fact helps us negotiate favorable pleas and quell immigration or employment fears.

What about classes and testing?
Courts often order STD/HIV testing and a one day “John School” or AIDS education program as probation terms. Completing these requirements can satisfy the court and support our motion to seal or expunge the record later.

Why contact us quickly?
Our attorneys act fast to position you for diversion, dismissal, or reduced charges, avoiding the escalating jail ladder and collateral damage. Let us start that work today.

What unexpected life impacts can follow a prostitution-related conviction?
A misdemeanor under PC 647(b) can quietly erode opportunities long after court is over. These collateral consequences often hurt more than the fine or short jail risk.

Could your job or professional license be at stake?
Many employers run background checks; even a dismissed case may appear until sealed. Nurses, real estate agents, teachers, and other license holders must report convictions to state boards that can suspend or revoke credentials. We work to secure dismissals or record-sealing so a single lapse does not derail a career.

Will immigration status be affected?
Federal law treats crimes “involving moral turpitude” harshly. A prostitution conviction can trigger visa denials, green card delays, or removal proceedings. By fighting for dismissal, diversion, or a plea to a non-moral turpitude offense, we help non-citizens protect their right to stay in the U.S.

Can a conviction follow you in housing and schooling?
Landlords in high-demand neighborhoods often reject applicants with any criminal record. Colleges and scholarship boards may also question applications that list a prostitution-related conviction. Clearing or reducing the charge shields future housing and education plans.

Are there financial penalties beyond court fines?
Courts may order asset forfeiture of a vehicle used in the alleged offense.  Probation fees, classes, and testing can top $2,000. We challenge vehicle forfeiture by scrutinizing whether the car truly furthered the crime, limiting unnecessary financial loss.

Why address these issues early?
The sooner we intervene, the more leverage we have to keep your record clean, reducing ripple effects on work, immigration, housing, and finances. Our team makes collateral damage a priority, not an afterthought.

Get Immediate Help from Tung & Associates

Our attorneys stand ready to step in the moment an arrest happens. Quick legal action often means the difference between a clean record and life altering consequences.

Call (626) 416-4668 day or night, or arrange to visit us at our Pasadena office. We respond within minutes because an emergency rarely follows business hours.

We will review the arrest report, explain likely penalties, and map a strategy, whether that is entrapment, lack of evidence, or pushing for a diversion. You leave the meeting knowing the exact next steps.

We combine former prosecutor insight, local court relationships, and a non-judgmental approach that focuses on protecting futures, not passing judgment. Many first-time clients secure dismissals or sealed records through our advocacy.

Every hour without counsel gives prosecutors an advantage. Contact Tung & Associates and let us start clearing a path toward dismissal, reduced charges, or a record-saving diversion.