Prostitution Solicitation Defense Lawyer Philadelphia
Prostitution is a very old form of crime, documented in early human drawing and writings. To many, prostitution seems like a victimless crime; one person is willing to pay for sex and another is willing to take money for it. Regardless, being caught for patronizing a prostitute can have serious consequences, including jail time, public shaming, significant fines, and a permanent stain on your record. Whether a person is using a high priced call girl, Craigslist, Tinder, a massage parlor, or finding someone on the street, the consequences remain the same.
What Is Prostitution?
Prostitution is the exchange of goods (money) or services for sex or sexual favors. In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, prostitution and patronizing prostitutes are illegal. A person can be arrested for paying money for sex (a “John”) or for offering sex or sexual favors in exchange for money (a “prostitute”). The penalties can range from a criminal conviction up to five years imprisonment. These penalties may change with the facts of the case.
Penalties for Patronizing Prostitution Are Often Harsher
In many cases, courts will be harder on the “John” who is patronizing the prostitute than they will be on the prostitute. The court’s rationale for this is that while a person prostituting him or herself is often the victim of circumstance, or of others forcing him or her into selling his or her body for sex, “Johns” have a choice whether to patronize a prostitute. As a result, court often impose harsher penalties against the “Johns” who buy sexual services.
In addition to a criminal conviction, a “John” will face significant fines and possibly even supervision by a sexual offense probation or parole department upon release. These criminal convictions can follow a “John” for life, preventing employment, and possibly even labeling him or her as a sexual offender for life.
For many “Johns,” the worst thing about the arrest is the public and private shame which is inflicted upon them. A “John’s” family may find out about the arrest and/or conviction, causing family turmoil. In addition, prosecutors and police departments have employed novel punishments recently, such as public shaming of “Johns” as part of the punishment phase.As a result of the criminal, financial, and public shaming consequences, it is extremely important to address the issue when you are caught. Do not wait until court to speak to an attorney. Call a lawyer today to discuss these issues.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?
Any criminal case can be burdensome for the individuals involved, and can heavily impact you, even send you to jail. By retaining local counsel, you will be utilizing the services of an attorney who is familiar with local prosecutors, courts, and law. Your lawyer can help you navigate your case from start to finish.
More importantly, your lawyer can attempt to help you avoid some of the more onerous penalties which the prostitution laws impose on individuals. The criminal defense attorneys with The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. have more than 50 years combined experience in handling criminal defense matters, fighting, and obtaining favorable results for our clients. Call or email us today to schedule a free consultation, and see how we can help you.