Prostitution in Florida
Once relegated to the shadows of seedy sections of Central Florida, prostitution related crimes are increasingly common due to internet sites that provide "Escort" listings, such as CityVibe, CraigsList, and Eros.com to name a few.
Importantly, in Florida, the term Prostitution encompasses a broad category of crimes that can be committed by either the Prostitute, the "John", or the Pimp or Madame.
If accused of a Prostitution related crime, you need to know the:
Definition of Prostitution
Prostitution in Florida is legally defined as the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire. In simpler terms, it is engaging in sex for money.
Prostitution Related Crimes
Florida criminalizes eight separate acts related to prostitution. These acts can be committed by either the prostitute, the "John", or the pimp or madame. These eight acts are:
- Owning or Operating a Building for Purposes of Prostitution
- Offering up Another Person to Engage in Prostitution
- Offering a Place for Prostitution to Occur
- Directing or Transporting a Person to a Place of Prostitution
- Offering to Engage in Prostitution
- Solicitation of Another to Commit Prostitution
- Entering or Remaining in a Place for Prostitution
- Hiring a Person Engaged in Prostitution
Penalties for Prostitution
The penalties for prostitution related crimes increase based upon the frequency a person is convicted of the offenses.
In addition to the penalties outlined below, any person convicted of Solicitation of Another to Commit Prostitution must pay a minimum fine of $500 in addition to any other penalties imposed.
All persons convicted of engaging in prostitution (the Prostitute) or soliciting a person to engage in prostitution (the "John") must undergo screening for sexually transmissible diseases.
First Time Offender
The commission of a Prostitution related crime as a first time offender is classified as a Second Degree Misdemeanor. If convicted of a Prostitution related crime as a first time offender, a judge can impose any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to sixty (60) days in jail.
- Up to six (6) months of probation.
- Up to $500 in fines.
Second Time Offender
The commission of a Prostitution related crime as a second time offender is classified as a First Degree Misdemeanor. If convicted of a Prostitution related crime as a second time offender, a judge can impose any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to 365 days in jail.
- Up to 12 months of probation.
- Up to $1,000 in fines.
Third Time Offender
The commission of a Prostitution related crime as a third time offender is classified as a Third Degree Felony and is assigned a Level 1 offense severity ranking under Florida's Criminal Punishment Code.
If convicted of a Prostitution related crime for the third time or more, a judge can impose any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to 5 years in prison.
- Up to 5 years of probation.
- Up to $5,000 in fines.
Defenses to Prostitution
In addition to the general pretrial and trial defenses that can be raised in any criminal case, the primary defense to the crime of Prostitution is to assert that consensual sex occurred.
Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby
If you have been arrested or charged with a Prostitution related crime in Orlando or the Central Florida area, please contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby today.
The initial consultation is free and I am always available to advise you of the proper course of action that can be taken.
