Grand Canyon Law Group
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Providing, offering, or soliciting sexual services in exchange for anything of value is illegal in the state of Arizona. Regardless of whether there is consent between all involved parties, a person suspected of engaging in prostitution in Phoenix may face serious criminal sanctions based on their alleged violation of not only state law, but also the City Code.
There are ways to effectively fight these charges but doing so without a skilled defense attorney’s assistance may lead to low odds of achieving a positive case resolution. Assistance from a Phoenix prostitution lawyer can be crucial, not only to protect your personal freedom and reputation, but also to minimizing the risk of damaging long-term consequences. Our skilled defense attorneys at Grand Canyon Law Group have extensive experience in the courtroom and will fight vigorously to defend your rights.
Arizona Revised Statute §13-3214 is the section of Arizona law that prohibits state residents from knowingly engaging in prostitution. ARS §13-3211 defines prostitution as the engagement, agreement, or offer to engage in any form of sexual contact or intercourse for money or any other valuable consideration. Phoenix City Code §23-52 prohibits any city resident from offering, agreeing to, or committing the act of prostitution. It also prohibits soliciting or hiring someone to commit an act of prostitution.
Both state and municipal law categorize prostitution as a Class 1 misdemeanor offense. A first-time prostitution conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 15 consecutive days and a fine of up to $2,500. Second and third convictions for this offense carry mandatory minimum jail sentences of 30 days and 60 days respectively.
Anyone convicted of prostitution who has a history of three or more past convictions for the same offense must serve a minimum of 180 days in jail and may face maximum penalties commensurate with a Class 5 felony offense. A Phoenix prostitution attorney can explain possible penalties associated with a specific prostitution charge in more detail during a confidential consultation.
Because the penalties for prostitution charges can be so severe, it is crucial to effectively fight these charges when they arise. In practice, this generally means providing evidence that the alleged encounter or conduct does not meet the state’s definition of prostitution.
For example, if someone engaged in sexual intercourse with another and was then offered compensation for the act, without having solicited or accepted it, they would not be guilty of prostitution as defined under applicable laws. Additionally, if someone only engaged in prostitution because they were induced to do so by an undercover police officer, they may be able to establish a defense based on entrapment. A prostitution lawyer in Phoenix can provide more specific information about possible approaches to this type of case during a private initial meeting.
Each criminal case is unique, and those based on accusations of prostitution are no exception. Without guidance from a legal professional who has previously handled various cases like this successfully, you may have a difficult time adjusting your defense to your specific circumstances and effectively achieving a favorable outcome.
Speaking with a Phoenix prostitution lawyer should be a priority for anyone facing charges of this nature. Contact us at Grand Canyon Law Group today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Grand Canyon Law Group
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