Prostitution, or providing sexual services in exchange for money, is strictly prohibited in Arizona. A conviction can have serious consequences, including lasting reputation damage and lengthy prison sentences. If you were recently accused of participating in prostitution by either obtaining or selling sexual services, do not hesitate to call our Mesa prostitution lawyers for your defense.
At Grand Canyon Law Group, our proactive attorneys can ensure your constitutional rights are upheld and protect against coercion, bullying, or misinterpretation of your statements. With the right defense, you could get the charges dismissed or reduced and move forward with your life without the damaging effect on your permanent record. We will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and fight for the best outcome.
David Lish, partner at Grand Canyon Law Group, is one of the premier attorneys in the State for prostitution and other sex offenses. He is a former Deputy County Attorney in the Sex Crimes Bureau and has a long track record of obtaining excellent results for our clients.
According to Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3211, prostitution is engaging in, agreeing to, or offering to engage in sexual conduct for monetary reasons. This could include the exchange of other valuable items as well as money. A conviction for prostitution charges must entail three necessary elements:
It is important to note that sexual acts do not need to actually occur for someone to be convicted of these crimes. Sex solicitation is a separate charge that can be added on to accusations of prostitution. Those facing either or both charges should take these allegations seriously and reach out to an experienced prostitution attorney in their area.
At Grand Canyon Law, our experienced and aggressive legal team regularly defends Mesa residents against prostitution accusations using several strategies. One potential defense is to cite entrapment, which is when police officers harass or otherwise coerce individuals into committing crimes. Undercover officers dressed as prostitutes are a common example of sex-related entrapment.
A skilled lawyer could also argue for sex trafficking victimization, which means that the defendant did not willingly commit prostitution but was forced to perform sexual acts in exchange for money that went to the person overseeing the trafficking. Another potential defense is mistaken belief, if the defendant thought they were engaging in consensual sex that did not include a money exchange. There are various defenses available to those facing sex solicitation charges in Mesa, so it is important to reach out to the right prostitution attorney who can tailor an effective strategy for the specific incident.
In Arizona, prostitution is categorized as either a Class 1 misdemeanor or a Class 5 felony, depending on if there are prior convictions. For a first offense, defendants face a minimum of 15 days in jail and are not eligible for sentence suspension or probation.
If the crime is a second or third offense, the defendant will receive a sentence of 30 or 60 days in prison respectively, without a chance of probation or sentence suspension. Significantly, any subsequent offenses are Class 5 felonies that include at least 180 days in jail, if not state prison.
It is important to understand that any prostitution-related conviction will go on the defendant’s permanent record. This could create future problems for finding employment, obtaining housing, voting, winning a child custody case, or getting a license to work as a doctor, pilot, teacher, or other job requiring special documentation. While certain convictions can be “set aside” from criminal records in the state, those of a sexual nature are not eligible. As such, it is critical in prostitution cases to work with a persistent local attorney who can protect one’s future prospects and way of life.
If you face sex-related charges, speak with a Mesa prostitution lawyer as soon as possible to start working on an airtight defense. The legal team at Grand Canyon Law is experienced in relentlessly defending these types of cases, and we are here to help ensure a misunderstanding or mistake does not affect the rest of your life moving forward. Call our firm today to find out how we can help protect your freedom and reputation.