Police regularly conduct stings to crack down on prostitution, whether they are engaging in prostitution, soliciting prostitution, or patronizing a prostitute. These stings can involve persistent officers who try to induce others to engage in prostitution, solely to catch them in illegal activity. As a result, consulting a Brush prostitution lawyer when you are charged with prostitution or a related crime may be advantageous.
Various defenses to prostitution, pimping, and pandering offenses may exist under state law. These defenses can be crucial to avoiding an embarrassing stain on your criminal record. Getting legal advice to prevent a criminal conviction or minimize the consequences of the charges against you may necessitate the help of a local criminal lawyer. Reach out to the Colorado Lawyer Team to discuss your case.
C.R.S. § 18-7-201 prohibits prostitution, which it defines as performing, offering to perform, or agreeing to perform different sexual acts in exchange for money or something of value. A closely related offense is soliciting prostitution under C.R.S. § 18-7-202. Individuals commit this offense if they take any of the following actions:
Both prostitution and soliciting prostitution are Class 3 misdemeanor offenses under state law. Under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501, the penalties for a Class 3 misdemeanor conviction can include up to six months in jail, a fine ranging from $50 to $750. However, a conviction for soliciting prostitution can result in a $5,000 fine in addition to the potential penalties for a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Patronizing a prostitute is a separate crime under C.R.S. § 18-7-205. Individuals commit this crime when they engage in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual conduct with a prostitute or go into or remain in a place of prostitution where they intend to engage in sex acts. Patronizing a prostitute is a Class 1 misdemeanor, leading to a sentence of incarceration of six to 18 months, a fine of $500 to $5,000, or both.
Various other criminal offenses that involve prostitution also exist under state law. Each of these offenses can result in separate criminal charges and punishments. A prostitution lawyer in Brush can be vital in representing individuals who are facing this type of criminal charge.
Pandering occurs under C.R.S. § 18-7-203 when individuals use threats or intimidation to force others to engage in prostitution or intentionally arranging or offering to arrange a situation to allow others to practice prostitution. Individuals can face Class 3 misdemeanor or Class 5 felony charges for pandering, depending on the type of pandering involved.
Under C.R.S. § 18-7-204, individuals commit the offense of keeping a place of prostitution if they have or exercise control over the use of any place used for prostitution and allow others to use it for prostitution if they know or reasonably should know that prostitution is occurring. Keeping a place of prostitution is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Individuals commit pimping, a Class 3 felony offense under C.R.S. § 18-7-206 when they knowingly live on or are supported by money or other things of value that are the proceeds of prostitution.
C.R.S. § 18-7-207 makes it a Class 1 petty offense to commit the crime of prostitute making display. This offense occurs when people try to further prostitution in any public place or within public view, whether by word, gesture, or action.
A prostitution-related conviction can have a whole host of unwanted and unanticipated consequences. You cannot only end up with a criminal conviction, but you could lose your job or your standing in your community. The potential embarrassment and stress of a prostitution charge may lead you to consult a Brush prostitution lawyer for guidance.
The potential ramifications from law enforcement officers accusing you of involvement in prostitution can be grave. Taking the charges seriously and taking the initiative to build a strong legal defense to these charges may be critical to a favorable outcome in your case. Seek help from the Colorado Lawyer Team today.