Frederick County Prostitution Lawyer
Prostitution is a crime in the State of Maryland, and a conviction can directly affect your future. In addition to having a criminal record and facing serious legal penalties and fines, there are also social consequences to consider. If you have been charged with prostitution or a related crime, an attorney could help. Kush Arora is an experienced Frederick County prostitution lawyer with the skill and legal insight to defend you.
What Are Prostitution Charges?
The charge of prostitution applies to the act of exchanging money or something of value for a sex act, sexual intercourse, or sexual contact. Knowingly engaging in prostitution is a criminal offense that is charged as a misdemeanor.
Assignation
Arranging to hire a prostitute or taking any action that furthers the hiring of a prostitute is the crime of assignation. The charge applies whether the hiring ultimately leads to sex or not. Assignation is also a misdemeanor charge.
Legal Fines and Penalties
A conviction for either prostitution or assignation carries up to a year in jail, along with fines of up to $500. It is important to note that Maryland, unlike most other states, imposes no statute of limitations on prostitution and assignation charges. As a Frederick County attorney could explain, there is therefore no time limit for bringing a charge against you, and the state can charge you with prostitution even years later.
Charges Related to Prostitution
A range of criminal charges are related to prostitution.
Using a Building for Prostitution
It is against the law to allow a building, vehicle, or structure under one’s control to be used for prostitution or assignation, or to maintain it for this purpose. Those convicted of doing so face up to a year in jail and fines of up to $500.
Soliciting or Procuring
It is illegal to engage in prostitution, and it is also illegal to solicit or procure sex for money. The crime of intentionally soliciting or procuring prostitution or assignation or of offering to do so is a misdemeanor. A conviction can result in up to a year in jail and fines of up to $500.
Pimping
Pimping is the crime of intentionally profiting from the act of prostitution or of hiding the origin of money gained from prostitution, a brothel, or human trafficking. While pimping is a misdemeanor, the related penalties are considerably harsher. A conviction can carry up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000, so contact a prostitution lawyer if you are facing pimping charges in Frederick County.
The Charge Against You
While it is true that a misdemeanor charge is less serious than a felony, this is only relatively speaking. Spending time in jail for any charge related to prostitution could derail your career and have drastic implications for you and your family.
Criminal records are public information, which makes hiding the fact of a conviction difficult. Under some circumstances, expungement of a prostitution charge is a possibility, and working closely with a seasoned Frederick County defense attorney is advised.
Finally, while prostitution does not necessarily lead to inclusion on the sex offender registry, it can. If a minor was involved or the act was motivated by sexual compulsion, the court can require registration.
The Social Consequences
Crimes that involve sex, including prostitution and assignation, tend to evoke a more serious response from the community.
Consider the following social consequences:
- Difficulty finding work
- Difficulty renting a place to live or obtaining a home loan
- An overall decline in social standing
- Losses related to professional licensure
- Losses related to higher education, including having difficulty obtaining federal financial aid, gaining acceptance to the school of your choice, or living on campus
A lawyer could work to clear your name if you are facing the social stigma of prostitution allegations in Frederick County.
Discuss Your Prostitution Charges With An Experienced Frederick County Attorney
Kush Arora is a dedicated Frederick County prostitution lawyer who appreciates just how difficult your situation is and dedicates his imposing practice to helping clients like you prevail with optimal outcomes. If you are facing a criminal charge that relates to prostitution, contact Kush Arora today for more information about what we could do to help you.