Dublin

Prostitution Lawyer

Arrests for prostitution and other related offenses are on the rise as law enforcement authorities increasingly use online ads to catch individuals who are offering or soliciting illegal sex work. As a result, some individuals who are accused of prostitution may have been unfairly targeted or been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Fighting back against prostitution charges with the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer can be crucial to protecting yourself from these adverse ramifications. A Dublin prostitution lawyer could help you build a robust and effective defense and mitigate the negative consequences of your charge.

Defining Prostitution in Dublin

California Penal Code § 647(b) defines both prostitution and solicitation, which occur when individuals commit any of the following actions:

• Paying or accepting money, or something else of value, in exchange for sex acts
• Offering to engage in prostitution
• Agreeing to engage in prostitution

Whether individuals are acting as prostitutes or customers of prostitutes, they are subject to the same criminal charges and penalties under this code section. If defendants are third parties who set up prostitution transactions, they could be subject to so-called “pimping” or “pandering” charges rather than prostitution charges.

Conduct does not qualify as prostitution or solicitation unless the parties involved either engage in the act of prostitution or take some action to further the commission of the act of prostitution. For instance, some potential acts that might constitute an act in furtherance of prostitution include:

• Driving to the hotel or other agreed-upon location to engage in prostitution
• Visiting an ATM to withdraw funds to pay for the prostitution
• Giving the agreed-upon payment to the prostitute
• Allowing an escort to enter a vehicle to engage in prostitution

A prostitution lawyer in Dublin may be able to analyze the facts and circumstances surrounding a defendant’s charge and determine whether prostitution charges are appropriate.

Penalties for Dublin Prostitution

Prostitution constitutes a misdemeanor under California law. A first-time offense can result in a jail sentence of up to six months or a fine of $1,000, or both. If the person that individuals solicited was a minor at the time of the offense, and the individuals knew or should have known that the person was a minor, they will face a required minimum jail sentence of two days and a maximum jail sentence of one year. They also can face a maximum of $10,000 in fines.

Convictions for second and subsequent prostitution offenses can include longer jail sentences and higher fines. Individuals will also have a permanent criminal conviction on their backgrounds that will show up on background checks conducted by employers, landlords, and others. A prostitution conviction could even result in job loss or an inability to pursue specific careers.

Other potential penalties for being an escort may include probation, mandatory community service hours, HIV testing, and counseling. Furthermore, if prostitution occurred within 1,000 feet of a private residence and with the use of a vehicle, the court can suspend the driving privileges of individuals for no more than 30 days.

Contact a Dublin Prostitution Attorney for Advice

Various defenses may exist in prostitution cases. In some cases, the police may be too overzealous in setting up prostitution stings, or overly forward in convincing you to engage in acts that you otherwise would not have considered. As a result, taking the time to retain the advice of a Dublin prostitution lawyer may be highly beneficial to you.

Legal counsel could evaluate the strength of the evidence against you and determine whether seeking a reduction or dismissal of the charges is appropriate. If a case must proceed to trial, then you may be able to mount a sufficient defense to overcome the charges against you.