Harris County Prostitution Lawyer

Harris County Prostitution Attorney

A prostitution charge may seem like a simple crime with limited consequences. In Texas, one of the toughest states when it comes to criminal justice, being arrested for and convicted of prostitution and other associated crimes can lead to serious penalties. A seasoned Harris County prostitution lawyer with a deep understanding of Texas’s public indecency laws can be a critical asset as you confront prostitution, solicitation, or compelling prostitution charges.

Greco Neyland, PC, provides quality criminal defense representation to clients battling prostitution charges in Harris County. Named Houston’s top-rated criminal defense firm, our attorneys have a track record of success defending clients against overzealous prosecutors looking to increase conviction rates. Let our knowledgeable team take the fight on your behalf and help you clear your name and reputation.

Aggressive Representation From a Skilled Harris County Prostitution

Texas is known for its tough-on-crime stance, consistently ranking among the states with the highest arrest rates across various categories of crimes. In 2019, for instance, Texas reported the second-highest number of arrests for prostitution and other commercialized vice crimes nationwide, with a total of 2,999 arrests, second to California and only slightly above Nevada.

This high rate of arrests is not simply due to the large population of Texas compared to other states. Law enforcement in Harris County and Texas helps to cement this reputation through activities like a March 2025 prostitution sting that saw 20 men detained and involved female deputies posing as prostitutes.

Unfortunately, in a situation like this, authorities are not always interested in listening to your side of the story—perhaps you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, or you were not aware of any illicit activity taking place.

When a person is arrested for prostitution-related crimes through a sting operation or in other circumstances, it is imperative that they contact an aggressive Harris County prostitution lawyer who can advocate on their behalf.

Our trusted attorneys at Greco Neyland, PC, offer strategic criminal defense representation to clients facing a variety of public indecency crime charges through aggressive negotiation and tactful representation in court. We work tirelessly to get your charges dropped or reduced.

Breaking Down Prostitution Charges in Texas

Under the Texas Penal Code, prostitution charges fall under the umbrella of public indecency.

There are four types of prostitution-related crimes, and they each carry varying degrees of penalties depending on whether the person being charged is a first-time offender and whether the crime involved a minor.

• Prostitution (PENAL § 43.02): Offering to engage in a sexual act for pay or accepting a fee from another to engage in a sexual act.
• Solicitation of Prostitution (PENAL § 43.021): Offering to pay someone to engage in a sexual act with them or with another person.
• Promotion of Prostitution (PENAL §43.03 and §43.04): Rendering prostitution services, including accepting payment on behalf of someone providing these services to another person. Promotion of prostitution can be charged for those found engaging in this act in person and online.
• Compelling Prostitution (PENAL §43.05): Forcing, coercing, threatening, or tricking someone to engage in the act of prostitution.

These charges can be leveled against both men and women, though often, it is women who bear the brunt of prostitution charges while men are arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Potential Consequences of a Prostitution Charge in Harris County

In Texas, crimes are categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies, with the former being less serious than the latter.

The following are the penalties associated with a prostitution conviction:

• For first-time offenders convicted of prostitution, a Class B misdemeanor, the penalties for this crime include up to six months in county jail and a $2,500 fine.
• Second or third-time offenders (a Class A misdemeanor) may face up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine.
• The fourth or subsequent conviction is considered a state jail felony, and it has a maximum penalty of two years in a district facility and up to $10,000 in fines.

• Solicitation of prostitution is a state jail felony for first-time offenders and a third-degree felony (2-10 years in a district facility) if it is a second offense. When the crime involves a minor, the defendant is charged with a second-degree felony (2-20 years in a district facility).
• Promotion of prostitution is a third-degree felony unless it is not a first-time offense or involves a minor (second-degree felony). It becomes a first-degree felony if it involves two or more prostitutes and carries up to 99 years in prison. Compelling prostitution is also a first-degree felony.

Being arrested for prostitution can lead to these and other serious consequences, especially if there are aggravating circumstances. Beyond jail time and fines, an arrest and conviction for prostitution crimes can tarnish the reputation of the most respected member of the Harris County community. News reports recounting details of prostitution stings may inadvertently expose those who are innocent until proven guilty.

Additionally, a prostitution-related arrest can lead to serious accusations, including human trafficking or racketeering, especially if the person is suspected of compelling or promoting prostitution

According to the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force 2024 report, there were a total of 1,706 arrests for solicitation of prostitution in Texas in Fiscal Year 2023. These charges should be contested from the get-go and with confidence to not only prevent a conviction for serious crimes but also to avoid the continued tarnishing of an innocent person’s reputation.

Defense Strategies for Prostitution Charges in Harris County, Texas

Those arrested for prostitution, solicitation, and other related public indecency charges may feel hopeless in the face of potential years in prison and hefty fines. However, there are several defense strategies that a skilled Harris County prostitution lawyer can leverage to help minimize the consequences of a conviction or have the charges dropped in certain circumstances.

Entrapment is a common defense in solicitation of prostitution cases. If law enforcement arrests a person during an undercover prostitution sting, they may be able to prove that they were pressured into committing an offense.

For those who have been charged with prostitution, a quality attorney can help demonstrate that they were a victim of human trafficking or compelled prostitution, which affords them protection from prosecution under Texas law. A Sam Houston State University 2021 publication revealed that in 2016, there were approximately 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas.

Another strategy to beat a prostitution charge can include highlighting procedural errors and violations, including unlawful search, law enforcement failure to read a defendant their Miranda Rights during an arrest, or mishandling of evidence.

Contacting a knowledgeable prostitution lawyer in Harris County as soon as you are arrested can help increase the chances of success in your defense and minimize any mistakes you may make when talking to law enforcement.

FAQs About Harris County, TX Prostitution Laws

Q: How Long Do You Go to Jail for Prostitution in Texas?

A: How long you go to jail for prostitution in Texas depends on the offense. A crime of prostitution is considered a Class B misdemeanor if it is a first-time offense, and it typically carries up to six months in county jail. Solicitation of prostitution is charged as a state jail felony, and the convicted person may face six months to two years in jail. Compelling prostitution can lead to up to 99 years in prison.

Q: What Is the New Law on Prostitution in Texas?

A: The new law on prostitution in Texas is related to the penalties associated with a conviction for solicitation of prostitution. Effective September 1, 2021, this crime is charged as a state jail felony under PENAL § 43.021. Before this, the charge was considered a misdemeanor, carrying a more lenient jail time sentence.

Q: How Do You Beat a Solicitation Charge in Texas?

A: To beat a solicitation charge in Texas, it is recommended that you work with a highly skilled criminal defense attorney. Solicitation of prostitution is a felony and can carry serious consequences. A seasoned attorney can help undermine the prosecutor’s evidence against a defendant by showing the arrest involved entrapment or that they were engaging in the act against their will, for example.

Q: Can a Prostitution Charge Be Expunged in Texas?

A: It is possible to have a prostitution charge expunged in Texas. Texas law allows for the expunction of prostitution charges if the charges were dismissed, the defendant receives an acquittal following a trial, and if the defendant is not convicted of other crimes resulting from the incident that led to a prostitution-related charge.

High-Quality Representation for Those Seeking a Harris County Prostitution Lawyer

Prostitution-related charges can be tough to beat in Texas, especially solicitation of prostitution. If you or someone you know has been arrested for prostitution or any other public indecency crime, you are highly advised to seek the assistance of a quality Harris County prostitution attorney who can build a strong defense.

At Greco Neyland, PC, we have assisted thousands of clients fighting criminal charges in Harris County. Our highly trained criminal defense lawyers look at each case and devise unique legal strategies suitable to each client. Let us help you wipe the slate clean. Contact our office today for a free consultation.