If you have recently been arrested and charged with prostitution or a related offense, you may be worried about what the future might hold. With a criminal conviction of this nature on your record, the collateral fallout could be enough to destroy your reputation and future opportunities. The best way to control the narrative is by clearing your name of the allegations against you.
Working with an experienced Goodyear prostitution defense lawyer from Suzuki Law Group could be the solution you have been looking for. Instead of trusting an overworked public defender with your defense, hire a private Goodyear sex crimes lawyer with our firm to craft a compelling defense strategy and secure the most favorable outcome based on the circumstances of your case.
Contact our legal team to request a confidential consultation today and learn more about the extent of the prostitution charges you are facing, whether the prosecutor is willing to allow you to enter a plea agreement, and which defenses are most likely to protect your future.
Prostitution Charges Continue to Cause Distress
Despite the fact that there are over 1 million prostitutes in the United States, the law recognizes prostitution as an illegal offense; individuals in sex work and solicitors often face criminal charges.
As much as 60% of all prostitution arrests across the United States occur in Las Vegas, New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, according to data from the Prostitution Statistics Market Report by Gitnux. However, Arizona sees its fair share of prostitution charges, with over 650 arrests in 2023, according to Arizona’s Crime Overview.
Prostitution is considered a wobbler offense. This is because it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. If you have multiple prostitution offenses on your record, a child was involved, or other aggravating factors are present, it is more likely your charges will be elevated to the felony level.
Your compassionate prostitution defense lawyer in Goodyear from Suzuki Law Group recognizes that you may have been forced, coerced, or threatened into engaging in sexual activity for money against your will.
When you are a victim of sex trafficking or pimping and pandering, we may be able to get the prosecutor to dismiss the charges against you and get you the help you need. Find out more about what legal options may be available to you when you contact our criminal defense lawyer in Goodyear for a confidential consultation.
Arizona’s Prostitution Statute
Prostitution is defined as agreeing to participate in, offer, or engage in sexual conduct with another with the agreement that you will be paid or compensated. Knowingly participating in prostitution is unlawful per Arizona Revised Statute §13–3214. It can include any type of sexual contact involving intercourse, sadomasochistic abuse, direct or indirect fondling of the anus, genitals, or female breasts, or oral sexual contact.
If the elements of the offense have not been met, the prosecutor’s case against you may not be as strong as they intended. This creates an opportunity for your prostitution defense attorney in Goodyear to get your charges dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense. However, there are other similar offenses you could also be charged with in relation to the prostitution allegations in question:
Crimes Related to Prostitution in Goodyear
Prostitution can include a variety of criminal acts. This does not only include offering or engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. It can also include transporting an individual for the purpose of prostitution, enticing another for the purpose of prostitution, solicitation, sex trafficking under Arizona Revised Statute §13-1307, or dangerous crimes against children under Arizona Revised Statute §13-705.
Child Prostitution
One of the most serious types of prostitution offenses is those involving children. According to Arizona Revised Statute §13-3212, there are three primary types of child prostitution. These include:
- Prostitution of a minor aged 15, 16, or 17
- Prostitution of a minor under the age of 15
- Prostitution with a minor age 15, 16, or 17, knowing the minor’s age
Anyone arrested on suspicion of child prostitution will likely face felony-level charges. The age of the minor will determine the extent of the penalties you face. However, the worst possible punishment for a child prostitution conviction could include up to 27 years in an Arizona state prison.
Pimping & Pandering
Pimping and pandering are designed to punish third parties who benefit from, make money from, facilitate, or promote prostitution. Under Arizona Revised Statute §13-3209, pimping and pandering is generally tried as a Class 5 or 6 felony, and if convicted, you could spend up to two years in an Arizona state prison. Some of the most common instances where individuals are charged with pimping or pandering include:
- Receiving money for putting someone in a house of prostitution
- Receiving any percentage of a prostitute’s earnings
- Procuring someone else to engage in prostitution through fraudulent activity or promises
- Forcing your spouse to become a prostitute
- Enticing or compelling someone else to become a prostitute
- Maintaining a residence or place of business with the intent of offering prostitution services
The Fallout of a Prostitution Conviction May Be Devastating
According to Arizona Revised Statute §13-3214, prostitution offenses carry mandatory minimum jail terms. This means even if you are a sympathetic defendant, the judge will be required to sentence you to a minimum amount of time in jail depending on the circumstances of your case. These mandatory minimum sentences include:
- 15 days in jail for first-time offenders
- 30 days in jail for second-time offenders
- 60 days in jail for third-time offenders
- 180 days in jail for fourth-time offenders
Generally, prostitution is considered a class one misdemeanor offense. You could spend up to three years on probation, six months in jail, and pay as much as $2,500 in fines. However, if you have several prostitution convictions on your record, your charges could be elevated to a class five felony. If convicted, you could spend 2 1/2 years in an Arizona state prison, pay fines up to $150,000, and spend up to three years on probation.
Put Your Trust in a Leading Goodyear Prostitution Defense Lawyer
While some may argue prostitution is a victimless crime, the fact remains that when people or children are forced into prostitution, their lives are forever changed. If you have been accused of enticing a minor, pimping, pandering, solicitation, or prostitution, it is crucial to dodge a conviction. A guilty verdict could result in devastating criminal penalties and collateral consequences.
Do not let one mistake or legal error define your life. Get help navigating the complex criminal justice system by turning to an experienced Goodyear prostitution defense attorney from Suzuki Law Group. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today by completing our online contact form or calling our office.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form