Prostitution—or exchanging sex for money—is not uncommon throughout Islip. However, you might be surprised to learn that prosecutors can bring severe criminal charges for prostitution. In addition to exchanging sex for money, criminal consequences exist for anyone who promotes or profits from prostitution.
If you have been charged with prostitution, get in touch with dedicated criminal defense attorney, Mike Schillinger today. Mike can help you defend yourself against these charges, and a good defense is critical in these types of cases. Let an Islip prostitution lawyer serve as your advocate and help you by navigating the criminal proceedings on your behalf.
What Constitutes Prostitution in Islip?
According to state law, prostitution is the act of exchanging a sex act for a fee. While these exchanges usually involve money, valuable items (or fees) could also include services, gifts, or even illicit items like controlled substances.
Prostitution is typically treated as a class B misdemeanor under state law. While all criminal charges are serious, the penalties associated with prostitution offenses are often less than that of other crimes – particularly for the person charged with prostitution. In some cases, a prostitution conviction could lead to jail time, but courts and the District Attorney’s Offices usually offer much more lenient sentences, and oftentimes, may even offer treatment services that help rehabilitate the person accused of prostitution. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be aware of these programs and will speak with the District Attorney’s Office about them when they sit down to negotiate.
It is also important to note that there are affirmative defenses to allegations of prostitution. An affirmative defense prevents the state from securing a conviction, even if an accused person admits to committing a criminal act.
In prostitution cases, a person could establish an affirmative defense if they can show they engaged in prostitution because they were compelled against their will or fell victim to sex trafficking. As in any affirmative defense, the burden is on the accused to prove it, unlike the typical burden in criminal cases that rests solely on the District Attorney.
Prostitution vs. Solicitation
Prostitution and solicitation are essentially two sides of the same coin. Whereas prostitution involves offering sex in exchange for money, solicitation involves exchanging something valuable for sex.
Although both acts are criminal, the state often pursues the “johns” more aggressively than those accused of prostitution. In some cases, prosecutors can even attempt to bring these charges without evidence that a person committed a crime. A skilled criminal defense attorney can review the facts of an arrest to determine what defense strategies are available to a defendant and ensure that they have the best chance of a favorable outcome on their case.
Prostitution and the Entrapment Defense
Sometimes entrapment can be a viable defense in prostitution cases. Entrapment occurs when the cops trick or force an individual to commit a crime that they would not otherwise have committed. For example, many prostitutions arrests arise from “sting” operations conducted by law enforcement.
While a “sting” operation itself is not per se an example of unlawful police conduct, if officers pressure or force a person into offering sex in exchange for money during the operation, an entrapment defense could potentially be viable, particularly in a situation where a person felt threatened. Mike Schillinger is an aggressive criminal defense lawyer in Islip, and can help you build your defense, ensuring that your rights are protected in court.
Call an Islip Prostitution Attorney As Soon As Possible
Prostitution convictions can have a long-lasting impact on your personal and professional life. You have the right to question these charges, and hiring an attorney gives you the ammunition you need to do so.
Let an Islip prostitution lawyer fight for you. Reach out to Mike Schillinger as soon as possible for a confidential consultation.
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