Prostitution charges, like other sex crime charges, carry a negative social stigma and, as such, can be extremely ruinous to a person’s family, career and reputation. According to Colorado laws (C.R.S. 18-7-201), prostitution is officially defined as the act of engaging in, offering or entering into an agreement to offer any sexual act (i.e., vaginal or anal intercourse, oral sex and/or masturbation) with a non-marital partner in exchange for some valuable item (such as money).
Given that prostitution charges can result in jail — or even prison time — and that simply being charged with prostitution can have devastating impacts on a person’s professional and private life, it’s crucial that the accused work with the experienced Denver prostitution defense lawyers at Flesch Law to ensure that their rights are fully protected and that they have the best chances of resolving their cases as favorably and expeditiously as possible.
Types Of Prostitution Charges And Penalties
The specific type of prostitution charges filed in a case will depend on the circumstances of the incident, as well as whether an individual has a criminal record with previous prostitution convictions. Some of the types of prostitution charges that can be filed may include:
- Prostitution, which is a class 3 misdemeanor that can be punishable by up to six months in jail and fines of up to $750 upon conviction. Those charged with prostitution will be required to undergo HIV testing at their own expense; if the results of this testing come back positive, the individual could be charged with a more serious offense (i.e., prostitution with the knowledge of being HIV infected).
- Soliciting, which is a class 3 misdemeanor. While soliciting charges can be filed against someone accused of soliciting a person for prostitution, they can also be filed if a person is accused of facilitating the meeting of two people for the purposes of prostitution.
- If a person has at least two prior convictions for soliciting, he or she can be charged with a class 6 felony, which can be punishable by up to 18 months in prison and fines of up to $100,000.
- Pandering prostitution, which can be filed as a class 3 misdemeanor or a class 5 felony, depending on the circumstances of the case. Pandering prostitution involves the use of force or threats to coerce a person into prostitution.
- Pimping, which is a class 3 felony that can be punishable by up to 24 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000. Pimping is defined as receiving any items of value that have been earned through prostitution.
Denver Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys At Flesch Law
While our trusted Denver sex crimes attorneys are skilled at aggressively defending the rights of the accused both inside and outside of the courtroom, we are also fiercely committed to helping our clients achieve the best possible resolution to their cases. To set up a free initial consultation, call us at (303) 806-8886.
