Criminal Solicitation Attorney in Dallas

Board-Certified Defense for Texas Penal Code §15.03 Charges

Criminal solicitation under Texas Penal Code §15.03 isn’t the same charge as solicitation of prostitution. This statute targets a fundamentally different and more serious allegation: that someone, with the intent to see a capital felony or first-degree felony carried out, requested, commanded, or attempted to induce another person to commit it. The underlying crime doesn’t have to be completed for prosecution to proceed. That’s what makes §15.03 charges particularly dangerous and why having an attorney who understands how these cases are built matters from the start.

Attorney James Aulbaugh is a former Chief Felony Prosecutor who has handled more than 10,000 cases across his career. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by only approximately 800 attorneys statewide. We handle criminal solicitation charges in both Dallas County criminal district courts and the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

If you or someone you know is facing a criminal solicitation charge in Dallas, contact us today at (214) 380-3383 to schedule a free consultation.

What Criminal Solicitation Means Under Texas Law

Under Texas Penal Code §15.03(a), a person commits criminal solicitation if, with intent that a capital felony or first-degree felony be committed, they request, command, or attempt to induce another person to engage in conduct that would constitute that felony or make that person a party to it. The charge is classified as an inchoate offense, meaning the State doesn’t need to prove the underlying crime happened. The alleged request or inducement is the offense.

The statute includes an important procedural protection under §15.03(b): a conviction can’t rest on the uncorroborated testimony of the person allegedly solicited. The solicitation must be made under circumstances that strongly corroborate both the act of solicitation and the defendant’s intent that the other person act on it.

Texas law also recognizes a renunciation defense under §15.04. To qualify, a person must voluntarily and completely renounce their criminal objective and countermand the solicitation before the object offense is committed, then take further affirmative action that actually prevented the commission of that offense. Renunciation isn’t considered voluntary if it’s motivated by circumstances that increase the probability of detection or apprehension. Where the facts support it, this affirmative defense can be a meaningful part of the overall strategy.

Common contexts for this charge include alleged murder-for-hire arrangements, but §15.03 applies to any situation where the prosecution claims a person tried to induce another to commit a capital or first-degree felony. This charge is legally distinct from solicitation of prostitution under §43.021 and from online solicitation of a minor under §33.021.

Penalties for Criminal Solicitation in Texas

Texas classifies criminal solicitation one level below the offense solicited. Solicitation to commit capital murder is a first-degree felony, carrying 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Solicitation to commit a first-degree felony is a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years in prison and the same maximum fine.

Probation isn’t available to a judge on a solicitation of capital murder conviction, though deferred adjudication may remain an option depending on circumstances. If the offense solicited would have triggered sex offender registration upon conviction, a criminal solicitation conviction or deferred adjudication for that offense triggers registration as well. There is no statute of limitations for solicitation of murder. The stakes across both tiers are severe enough that waiting to retain counsel is rarely in a defendant’s interest.

How We Approach Criminal Solicitation Defense

Attorney Aulbaugh built criminal solicitation cases as a Chief Felony Prosecutor. He knows how Dallas County prosecutors approach the intent element, how they seek corroboration, and where those constructions can fall short. That prosecutorial perspective shapes every defense strategy we develop.

Intent Challenges
The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended for the capital or first-degree felony to actually be carried out. We examine every communication, relationship, and contextual fact bearing on that element.

Corroboration Attacks
When the case depends heavily on the account of the person allegedly solicited, we analyze whether the corroboration requirement under §15.03(b) has been met. A charge that can’t clear that bar may not withstand pretrial challenge.

Constitutional Suppression
Fourth Amendment challenges targeting unlawfully obtained recordings, device data, or intercepted communications can remove critical evidence before trial. We file suppression motions wherever the record supports them.

Witness Credibility & Statement Inconsistencies
When a charge rests on a single witness’s account, we investigate that witness’s credibility, motive, and the consistency of their statements throughout the investigation.

Renunciation Defense Evaluation
Where the facts support it, we assess whether the statutory renunciation defense under §15.04 is available and how to present it effectively.

When pretrial resolution is appropriate, we pursue negotiation with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office for reduced charges or alternative dispositions. Attorney Aulbaugh has participated in more than 120 jury trials in state and federal court, including in the Northern District of Texas, and is prepared to take a case to trial when that serves the client’s interests.

Why Dallas Clients Choose Aulbaugh Law

Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization isn’t a marketing claim. It requires demonstrated experience, peer evaluation, and a rigorous examination. Attorney Aulbaugh holds that credential, along with more than 10,000 cases and over 120 jury trials across both sides of the courtroom. Prosecution experience with serious felony charges combined with substantial defense trial experience is directly relevant to cases under §15.03.

We’re licensed in Texas state courts throughout the state and in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Texas, so we can handle criminal solicitation charges wherever they’re filed. We serve clients across Dallas and the entire DFW metroplex. We operate on a transparent fee schedule, offer payment plans, and keep clients informed as new developments arise on their cases.

Start with a Free Consultation

Early representation in a criminal solicitation case can affect how the investigation develops, what evidence is preserved, and which options remain open before charges are formalized. We offer free initial consultations with no obligation, and our fee structure is transparent from the first conversation.

Call Aulbaugh Law at (214) 380-3383 to speak with our team about your case.