Frederick Prostitution Lawyer
If you are facing charges of prostitution, a Frederick prostitution lawyer could work with you to gather evidence in your defense and stand up for your rights in and out of court. Depending on the nature of your charges and your criminal history, it may be important to act promptly and have your case evaluated by a skilled criminal defense attorney who could give counsel on options in your best interest.
Types of Behavior Punishable as Prostitution
According to Maryland Code, Criminal Law §11-301, prostitution is defined as “the performance of a sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse for hire.”
It is important to recognize, however, that the statutory definition of prostitution contains many crimes other than the act itself. The following activities are punishable as crimes under the aforementioned statute:
- Engaging in prostitution or assignation—in other words, soliciting prostitution—by any means
- Knowingly owning or operating a building that is used for prostitution or assignment
- Allowing someone to enter a building for the purpose of prostitution or assignment
- Procuring or offering to procure a prostitute
- Threatening violence against another if they do not engage in a sexual act for hire (this may also be a sex crime)
In many instances, it may be unclear whether behavior charged as prostitution or a closely related crime qualifies as a prosecutable offense. The job of a Frederick prostitution attorney is to closely examine the prosecution’s evidence and determine how much of it is admissible, as well as seek out and present exculpatory evidence on the defendant’s behalf.
Penalties for Prostitution & Related Crimes
Prostitution is punished as a misdemeanor in the state of Maryland, as are related crimes such as pimping and pandering (although if a minor is involved, it may be deemed a felony). That does not mean, however, that being convicted of one or more of these crimes has insignificant consequences.
Anyone convicted of prostitution in Maryland may be sentenced with up to one year in jail and/or a maximum fine of $500. Meanwhile, someone convicted of pimping—the act of arranging clients for prostitutes and claiming a share of their earnings)—could spend up to ten years in prison, as well as face a fine of up to $10,000.
The crime of pandering is closely related to but distinct from the crime of pimping. Pandering usually involves the solicitation of customers for prostitution services or recruiting prostitutes for paid sexual activity. A pandering conviction can lead to a 10-year maximum jail sentence and a fine of up to $5,000.
Human Trafficking
Pimping and pandering are closely related to the crime of human trafficking in Maryland. However, if the victims of those crimes are minors, the punishments can be severely enhanced.
An individual convicted of human trafficking involving a victim under the age of 18 can potentially spend up to 25 years in prison and be required to pay up to a $15,000 fine. Anyone accused of this particular offense in Frederick should make it a priority to contact a skilled prostitution lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact a Frederick Prostitution Attorney Today
If you are charged with prostitution or a related crime such as solicitation, pimping, or the human trafficking of a minor, experienced legal counsel may be of significant assistance. If convicted, you potentially face extensive jail time and a large fine, so get in touch with a Frederick prostitution lawyer today for help evaluating your legal options and crafting a defense.