Engaging in or soliciting for prostitution is illegal in the state of Florida. This has been always been the case and will likely be for the foreseeable future. Considering this, it is important to know where you stand legally if you are ever arrested for such an act. It is important to immediately discuss your defense options with a criminal defense attorney who understands the laws pertaining to this offense.
Jacksonville Prostitution Attorney
Dealing with a prostitution allegation can have wide-ranging effects on you social, professional and financial well-being. Due to the potential negative ramifications, having the right criminal defense attorney at your side representing you in the court of law is of paramount importance.
A capable attorney, such as William Roelke, will take all factors of the situation into account in order to develop a defense strategy that put you in a strong position to refute the charges. He will do so using the most productive and efficient tactics available, and will make certain that the accusers will have a difficult time proving the wrong doing. This can be done in many ways, such as proving entrapment, finding investigative mistakes, showing that it was a case of mistaken identity or verifying that Miranda rights were not properly read during the arrest.
William Roelke a versatile and quick-thinking attorney who can effectively represent you no matter what the odds stacked against you are. To schedule a free and confidential consultation to go over the specifics of your case , please call (904) 354-0333 or send an online message. In addition to Jacksonville, William also works with individuals throughout Northeast Florida, including Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Baldwin, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Keystone Heights, and Hilliard, among many others.
Prostitution under Florida Law
According to Florida law, prostitution is defined as “the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire, but excludes sexual activity between spouses.”
Fla. Stat. §796.07 states that it is illegal to do the following:
- To own, establish, maintain, or operate any place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution.
- To offer another, for the purpose of prostitution or for any other lewd or indecent act.
- To receive any person into any place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation, or to permit any person to remain there for such purpose.
- To direct, take, or transport any person to any place, structure, or building, or to any other person, with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that the purpose of such directing, taking, or transporting is prostitution, lewdness, or assignation.
- To offer to commit, or to commit, or to engage in, prostitution, lewdness, or assignation.
- To solicit, induce, entice, or procure another to commit prostitution, lewdness, or assignation.
- To reside in, enter, or remain in, any place, structure, or building, or to enter or remain in any conveyance, for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation.
- To aid, abet, or participate in any of the acts or things enumerated in this subsection.
- To purchase the services of any person engaged in prostitution.
All of these transgression will have the same charge classification of a second degree misdemeanor, if it is the first offense of the accused. This charge, if convicted, will come with a presumptive sentence of up to 60 days in jail and / or fines of up to $500.
If this is a second offense, the accused individual will be charged with a misdemeanor of the first degree, which comes with a possible sentence of up to one year in jail and / or fines of up to $1,000. Third time offenders will be charged with a felony of the third degree. If convicted, this charge comes with a presumptive sentence of up to 5 years in prison and / or up to $5,000 in fines.
Roelke Law, P.A. | Duval County Prostitution Arrest Lawyer
If you have been charged with prostitution, it is vital that you act quickly by working with a criminal defense attorney who can effectively represent you in court. William Roelke is well-versed in Florida law regarding prostitution and will use this knowledge to productively represent you throughout this entire process. With years of experience, you are in good hands at Roelke Law.
To schedule a risk-free consultation to discuss your case with William Roelke, call (904) 354-0333 or send an online message today. Roelke Law proudly represents individuals accused of prostitution throughout Northeastern Florida, including Duval County, St. Johns County, Clay County and Nassau County.