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(727) 828-3900 Offering sexual services of any kind in exchange for compensation or consideration is prohibited by law in all US states except Nevada and Maine. In these two states, the trade is permitted through regulated brothels (in certain counties) and is decriminalized without being fully legalized. Different states have varied approaches to prosecuting those charged with prostitution, and not all states impose or even allow the same types of penalties against convicted individuals.
If you have been formally charged with prostitution in Florida or suspect you soon will be, you should prioritize speaking with and retaining a qualified St. Petersburg prostitution lawyer as soon as possible. These kinds of cases can be uniquely tricky on both legal and personal levels, and the support of a compassionate defense attorney with extensive litigation experience can be key to effectively enforcing your rights and securing a favorable case resolution.
According to Florida Statutes § 796.07, someone commits the act of prostitution if they offer, provide, or agree to provide sexual activity for money or anything else of value. In this context, sexual activity includes not only penetrative sexual intercourse, but also oral sex, penetration of the anus or genitals with any object or part of the body other than the genitals, and sexual contact for the purposes of masturbation.
For first-time offenders, prostitution, as defined by this statute, is a second-degree misdemeanor, meaning the maximum penalty a court could impose upon conviction would be a $500 fine and six-month jail term. However, a second conviction for prostitution—regardless of how much time has passed since the first conviction—is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and a year in jail.
Finally, third and subsequent prostitution convictions are treated as third-degree felonies, carrying maximum penalties of $5,000 in fines and five years in prison. It is worth reiterating, though, that these are the maximum possible penalties allowed under state law. If you are facing a sexual services conviction, an attorney from our St. Petersburg firm can help protect your best interests by arguing for more lenient sentences or, in many situations, alternative sanctions.
Support from legal counsel can be even more important if you are facing allegations that you acted as a pimp by offering to provide prostitution services to another person, financially benefiting from someone else’s performance of such services, or directing or transporting someone to provide such services. Depending on what you specifically stand accused of doing and what benefits you allegedly derived from it, you may face sanctions at either the misdemeanor or felony level upon conviction.
However, if you are convicted of facilitating prostitution through coercion, engaging in the prostitution of a minor, or transporting or procuring someone to exploit them by forcing them to act as a prostitute, you will face penalties commensurate with a first-degree felony. You could find yourself facing a maximum fine of $15,000 and a maximum prison term of 30 years or life in prison if you are convicted on this type of charge. A defense lawyer specializing in sex trade offenses in St. Petersburg can explain this further to you.
Local law enforcement authorities and court officials sometimes treat people accused of prostitution as harshly as if they had committed a violent offense. Even without that kind of treatment, going through the court system after being arrested on this kind of charge can be a uniquely intimidating experience, especially if you are on your own.
Fortunately, you can choose a St. Petersburg prostitution lawyer from our firm to support you throughout the legal process. We are not afraid to take on cases that others reject and will support you for the duration of your legal proceedings. Call today to learn more.
