Bethesda Prostitution Lawyer
The term “prostitution” describes a profession in which one performs sex acts for money. Prostitution is illegal throughout most of the United States. Even soliciting prostitution, often called pandering, can be a crime. Since the scope of what may be considered prostitution is broad, individuals could be facing charges without knowing they committed a crime.
If you are facing accusations of prostitution, you could benefit from speaking with a Bethesda prostitution lawyer. You could discuss the facts of your case and the accusations you are facing with a skilled criminal defense attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer may be able to explain what legal rights you have and how you may potentially defend yourself against these claims.
Types of Illegal Sex Charges
Under Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law §11-301, prostitution is defined as any sexual act or contact in exchange for money. One can be held guilty for this act when they knowingly do any of the following:
- Engage in prostitution
- Run a building or area for prostitution
- Own a building where prostitution is run, and allow it to happen
- Allow a person into a building for prostitution
- Procure or solicit, also knowing as pimping, another for prostitution
The key to this statute is that it must be proven that one of the above factually happened and that the defendant knew it was happening. Under Md. Code Ann. §7-102(b), “knowingly” is defined as the defendant being aware that their conduct or circumstance would give rise to the crime. A dedicated Bethesda attorney could look over the facts of a case to determine whether a defendant was aware that prostitution was taking place.
What Acts Qualify as Prostitution?
Some of the primary defenses to a prostitution charge come from denying that all the necessary elements were present for the charge. To better understand this, it is helpful to be aware of the nuances of the terms of prostitution charges such as “sexual contact,” “sexual act,” and “vaginal intercourse.”
- Sexual contact — Intentional touching of another’s genitals for sexual pleasure (Md. Code Ann §3-301(f))
- Sexual act — Refers to vaginal and anal intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus, penetration (Md. Code Ann §3-301(e)
- Vaginal intercourse — Any degree of penetration (Md. Code Ann §3-301(f)
Understanding the elements that make up a prostitution charge is vital for defending a claim. A prostitution attorney in Bethesda could argue that the defendant may not have solicited a prostitute, known the individual was a prostitute, or the above sexual acts were absent.
Legal Consequences
Under Maryland law, prostitution is a misdemeanor crime. This means that, while not a felony, the accused could still face up to one year in prison, a $500 fine, or both. If the act involved a minor, the consequences could escalate greatly.
Consult with a Bethesda Prostitution Attorney Today
If you are facing prostitution charges, you should contact a Bethesda prostitution lawyer right away. Every case is unique, and after discussing yours with an experienced attorney, you may come to understand potential defenses available to you. To begin building your case, call an attorney today, and schedule a consultation.