Prostitution
Georgia law (GA Code § 16-6-9) outlaws prostitution which it defines as “a person, 18 years of age or older, commits the offense of prostitution when he or she performs or offers or consents to perform a sexual act, including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse or sodomy, for money or other items of value.” If you are charged with this crime, you will want to avoid conviction to protect your reputation and future. Penalties can include jail time and expensive fines.
What is Prostitution?
This crime means performing any sexual act for some form of payment. It also means offering to perform a sex act for money or something of value as well as consenting to perform a sex act for money or something of value. The payment is often money but can include nearly any way of exchanging value, such as favors or non-monetary items of value, for example, drugs.
People are usually charged with prostitution as the result of police undercover raid operations, where police can catch people in the actions of offering or consenting to perform a sex act or the act itself. However, you can be charged at any time, just like other crimes, if law enforcement finds they have enough evidence to charge you for the crime.
What Should You Do If You Are Charged With Prostitution?
If you are charged with prostitution, the first thing that you should do is get a lawyer. Prostitution cases often hinge on things that are said by the people involved in the case, so you should avoid talking to investigators until your lawyer is present.
Finally, work with your lawyers to build a defense. You can discuss the circumstances and evidence and decide if negotiating a plea deal for lesser charges is prudent or fighting the charges in court. With an effective defense attorney, you may be able to get the charges dropped or reduced. The key is having a defense team that has expertise in prostitution cases like our attorneys.
Penalties for Prostitution
This crime can be a misdemeanor for minor sexual offenses or a felony depending on factors such as repeated offenses or added charges of sex trafficking.
Common penalties in Georgia include:
- Fines up to $100,000
- Mandatory registration on the Sex Offender Registry
- Jail time between 1 and 10 years (less time for misdemeanors)
- Probation
Solicitation
Soliciting prostitution is also a crime. A person could be charged with solicitation if they encourage, bribe, request, or demand a person to engage in sexual acts. So if you try to hire a prostitute, you can also be arrested. Georgia laws on Sexual Offenses include laws on Pandering (solicits a person to perform an act of prostitution) and Pimping which involves procuring a prostitute for another as well as other related actions.
Savannah Criminal Defense Attorneys of Phillips Carson Phillips
If you are charged with prostitution or other criminal offenses, then you need to discuss your case with us as soon as possible. Your best chance of avoiding conviction is to work closely with a trusted attorney from Phillips Carson Phillips who has the experience in defending against serious sex crimes. With Phillips Carson Phillips, we will work to protect your rights, fight for your freedom, and clear your name.