Prostitution Defense Lawyer

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Although generally prosecuted as a misdemeanor offense, people who are convicted of working as, or soliciting a prostitute face extremely harsh penalties.  Aside from the embarrassment of being arrested and the risk to personal relationships and professional licenses, a conviction for Prostitution involves mandatory jail terms. 

Given the beautiful golf courses, quality restaurants and night clubs and different events which occur throughout the year, the City of Scottsdale has become a very popular tourist destination.  Consequently, police and prosecutors have taken a very aggressive approach to arrest and prosecute individuals who are working as, or patronizing a prostitute.

The Definition of Prostitution

The way in which prostitution is defined in Arizona is often misunderstood by people who are arrested and charged with this type of offense.  Rather than actually engaging in some type of sexual activity for payment, a person can be convicted of prostitution by simply agreeing or offering to involve themselves in sexual conduct in exchange for payment.  Simply put, you can be arrested for prostitution for merely agreeing to participate in this type of transaction.

How Are Prostitution Investigations Conducted?

Most people think of prostitution as something which occurs on a street corner or alleyway in a dangerous part of town.  Although this is still true in some cases, many people are arrested in Scottsdale, Chandler and surrounding cities in Maricopa County during police sting operations.  During these "stings," police will rent a hotel room or home, post an ad on a website which is associated with illegal activity and try to attract customers.  Undercover officers will also contact individuals who place ads of their own.

Once an individual responds to officers, police will usually communicate with them by text message or through another application.  The undercover officers will obtain a description of their suspect and the vehicle they might be driving, provide a location to meet and then negotiate sexual activity for a price.  Once the individual arrives at a pre-determined location, they will be arrested, interviewed and booked into jail.

Penalties for Prostitution Convictions in Arizona

Although many states have started to "look the other way" regarding prostitution, Arizona continues to punish people charged with prostitution very severely.  In some cities, diversion programs might be available for first time offenders. However, this is not usually the case.  

Punishments for Prostitution Include:

1. 15 days jail for a first offense
2. 30 days jail for a second offense
3. 60 days jail for a third offense

You should also be aware that the entire sentence must be served.  Additionally, any person who is arrested for prostitution four or more times can be charged with a Class 5 felony and sentenced to prison.

Can Prostitution Charges be Defended?

If you have been arrested for prostitution, you should immediately contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who regularly defends people against these types of allegations.  An experienced attorney can thoroughly investigate all aspects of your case, negotiate a reduction of the charges and penalties and if necessary, represent you during trial.  

Some Possible Defenses to a Prostitution Charge Include:

• That an individual is a victim of sex trafficking
• No actual agreement for prostitution took place
• Violation of Miranda Warnings
• No probable cause to arrest

Call (480) 833-8613 for a Free Initial Consultation

Attorney Raymond Kimble has unique experience in that he is a former police detective and felony prosecutor who has defended people charged with Prostitution for over twenty years. Ray Kimble has a complete understanding of both sides of the law and will provide an aggressive and hard-hitting defense.

With a seasoned  criminal defense lawyer on your case, you will have your rights protected as your attorney fights to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf. Attorney Raymond Kimble has successfully represented numerous individuals throughout Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler and Mesa over the last twenty years who have been charged with Prostitution.

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