Bakersfield Prostitution Attorney

What Is Considered Prostitution in Bakersfield? 

Prostitution in Bakersfield encompasses a spectrum of activities, including any exchange of sexual acts for money or other forms of compensation. This can involve solicitation, engagement in sexual acts, or performing lewd conduct. California Penal Code specifies offenses tied to prostitution, which law enforcement in Bakersfield actively enforces. These charges may arise from street-level activity, online transactions, or connections to brothels or escort services.

It’s essential to understand the legal definition. Prostitution is not limited to physical acts but extends to any agreement or offer for sexual activity in exchange for payment. Convictions can lead to severe consequences like fines, jail time, and lasting criminal records. Humphrey & Thompson navigates these intricate cases with a defense tailored to the specifics of each situation.

Prostitution-Related Offenses in California

California law lays out several crimes associated with prostitution, each carrying distinct legal repercussions. 

These include:

• Solicitation. Offering or agreeing to engage in sexual acts for payment. This offense focuses on proposing, accepting, or attempting an exchange without requiring that the act ultimately take place. 
• Engaging in prostitution. Participating in sexual acts in exchange for compensation, covering the act of providing services for payment. 
• Pimping. Controlling or profiting from another person’s prostitution activities, such as acting as their manager or recruiter. 
• Pandering. Persuading or coercing someone to engage in prostitution, often through manipulation or threats. 
• Keeping a house of prostitution. Managing or maintaining a property where prostitution takes place. 
• Patronizing a prostitute. Paying or offering to pay for sexual services, focusing on penalizing the demand side of prostitution.

Each of these offenses comes with severe penalties. 

Potential Penalties for Prostitution Convictions

Facing a prostitution conviction can lead to both immediate legal consequences and long-term impacts on your personal and professional life. Understanding the potential penalties is essential when navigating these serious charges.

• Fines: Convictions often come with financial penalties, which can vary significantly based on the severity of the offense and whether it's a first-time or repeat violation; aggravating factors such as involvement of a minor or organized activity may increase the amount substantially.
• Incarceration: Depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances of the case, jail or prison time is a possibility, especially for repeat offenders or felony-level charges. Sentence length is often left to the judge’s discretion.
• Probation: Instead of or in addition to jail time, courts may impose probation with strict terms, such as regular meetings with an officer, travel restrictions, and mandatory compliance with court orders, with violations leading to further legal consequences.
• Mandatory Programs: Many convictions require enrollment in court-ordered counseling, rehabilitation, or education programs aimed at addressing underlying issues or increasing awareness of human trafficking and exploitation.
• Community Service: Judges may assign a set number of community service hours, which can disrupt personal schedules and add further burdens to those already navigating the legal system.
• Criminal Record: A prostitution conviction becomes part of your permanent criminal record, creating obstacles in securing employment, qualifying for housing, or gaining admission to specific educational programs.
• Reputation and Relationships: The stigma attached to a prostitution charge can damage personal relationships, harm your standing in the community, and result in lasting emotional and psychological stress.

At Humphrey & Thompson, we understand how deeply these penalties can affect every area of your life. As former prosecutors, we bring valuable insight into the legal process. We work tirelessly to challenge the charges, protect your rights, and seek outcomes that limit or eliminate long-term damage.

Defenses to Prostitution Charges

Defending against prostitution charges starts with identifying the best legal avenues for each unique situation. 

Viable defenses may include:

• Lack of intent or action. Arguing that no agreement or actual act of prostitution occurred. 
• Entrapment. Challenging situations where law enforcement may have induced actions through coercion or overreach. 
• Mistaken identity. Questioning the accuracy of accusations and the methods used to identify suspects, especially in situations involving online activities. 
• Unlawful search and seizure. Contesting evidence obtained through improper actions by law enforcement that violate constitutional protections. 
• Coerced confessions or rights violations. Excluding statements taken through improper interrogation or without respect for Miranda protections.

At Humphrey & Thompson, we thoroughly investigate every angle of your case, identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and advancing comprehensive defense strategies to achieve favorable outcomes. 

Don’t let a prostitution charge define your future. Contact a trusted Bakersfield prostitution attorney at Humphrey & Thompson for an aggressive, informed defense today.