Prostitution, colloquially known as the “oldest profession,” is an interconnected activity that implicates crimes on both the person soliciting and offering sex. Prostitution is a nuanced activity that does not necessarily conform to its portrayal in the media. Prostitution is done on the street, in a “massage parlor,” or on the Internet. The opportunities for the oldest profession to expand are limited only by the creativity of the people offering or seeking it.
The first thing that you need to know is that prostitution is illegal in every state, except for some heavily regulated parts of Nevada.
The mere act of trying to give money is often sufficient to charge the crime. Solicitation, the act of requesting sex in exchange for money, is a unique crime that is complete even if sex or the exchange of money never happens.
This is how police are able to catch so-called “Johns” in “sting” operations. It is also why you can be charged even though you may not have actually given the money to the prostitute. But acts of soliciting prostitution and acts of prostitution are typically punished under separate state statutes.
If you are facing charges for solicitation, then you might want to speak to a criminal defense attorney. Sex crimes can carry serious consequences, including a felony record and possible placement on the sex offender list. It is important to confront these charges head-on and begin crafting your criminal litigation plan immediately.
The fact is, both solicitation of prostitution and prostitution charges can have a profound effect on a person’s life. As such, having discreet legal counsel could prove of great benefit in building the best defense for your particular set of circumstances.