Solicitation Criminal Attorney in Midland

Felony-Level Defense for Solicitation Charges in West Texas

A solicitation of prostitution charge in Midland, Texas is no longer a citation-level offense. Since September 2021, it’s a felony. That shift changes everything about how the case is handled, what’s at stake, and why the attorney you choose matters. At Eckman Law Firm, PLLC, we bring 20 years of combined criminal defense experience, a former prosecutor’s insight into how the state builds its cases, and a record of grand jury no-bills on serious felony charges.

We’re based in Midland with a second office in Lubbock, so clients across West Texas work directly with the same legal team. We don’t apply a generic strategy. We work closely with each client to shape the defense together, and we bring in private investigators when the facts of a case require a deeper look.

If you’re facing a solicitation charge in Midland, call us now at (432) 223-9427 for a free initial consultation.

What Texas Law Says About Solicitation of Prostitution

Under Texas Penal Code 43.021, a person commits the offense by knowingly offering or agreeing to pay a fee to another person for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct. The offense doesn’t require that money actually change hands or that any sexual act take place. The offer or agreement itself is enough to trigger a charge.

Before September 1, 2021, this was a Class B misdemeanor. House Bill 1540 changed that. The offense is now a state jail felony for a first conviction, and the degree escalates from there:

• State jail felony: First offense
• Third-degree felony: Second conviction
• Second-degree felony: When the other person is younger than 18, is represented as being younger than 18, or is believed by the actor to be younger than 18, regardless of actual knowledge of age

A conviction at the second-degree felony tier carries a mandatory requirement to register as a sex offender, a consequence that follows a person long after any sentence is served.

How a Felony Solicitation Case Moves Through Midland County

Because solicitation of prostitution is now a felony in Texas, a grand jury generally must review the evidence and vote on whether to indict before the case can proceed to trial. A no-bill means the panel found insufficient probable cause to move forward. Felony-level solicitation cases in Midland are heard in the county’s State District Courts: the 142nd, 238th, 385th, and 441st District Courts.

We have secured grand jury no-bills on serious felony charges. That experience at the indictment stage can matter when your case is at its earliest and most critical point.

How These Charges Often Begin & What They Can Cost You

Solicitation charges frequently arise from online communications or contact with undercover officers. In many cases, no in-person meeting took place and no payment was made. That doesn’t make the charge disappear on its own. What matters at each stage, including grand jury review, is whether the evidence actually supports the offense as charged.

Beyond the courtroom, a felony-level conviction carries consequences well past any sentence. Employment, professional licensing, and personal reputation can all be affected by a charge that, before 2021, many people would have resolved with a fine.

Why Midland Clients Work With Eckman Law Firm, PLLC

Aaron E. Eckman started his legal career as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Bexar County, then clerked for a U.S. Magistrate Judge. That path gives him a direct understanding of how prosecutors think, how they build cases, and where those cases can be challenged. Victoria Eckman brings a different strength: a background as a public school teacher that shapes how she walks clients through a complicated legal process in plain language, without unnecessary jargon.

Our results include dismissals on charges as serious as aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, and felony theft. Victoria serves on the Criminal Justice Act defense panel and represents indigent clients with the same commitment we bring to retained cases.

Start With a Free Consultation

If you or someone you know is facing a solicitation charge in Midland, TX, the time to act is before the grand jury meets, not after. We offer a free initial consultation so you can understand your situation and your options without any upfront commitment.

Call Eckman Law Firm, PLLC today at (432) 223-9427 to schedule your free consultation.