Consequences of Being Arrested in a Prostitution Sting
- Posted on: May 29 2023
A prostitution sting is an organized effort by law enforcement to crack down on prostitution and human trafficking. Not only is being arrested in a prostitution sting a humiliating experience, but a conviction carries serious consequences. In this article, we discuss the consequences of being arrested in a prostitution sting in Virginia.
What is Prostitution?
Prostitution is the act of offering to perform sex acts for money. Once a person offers to perform a sex act for money, or the other person agrees to pay money in exchange for a sex act, a crime has been committed.
Penalties for Prostitution in Virginia
Prostitution in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A person who is convicted of this crime faces up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,500. In addition, repeat offenders may face steeper penalties.
Common Defenses to Prostitution Charges
Depending on the circumstances, a defendant who is charged with prostitution may have several defenses available, including:
Insufficient evidence: To convict a defendant of prostitution, the prosecution must have ample evidence that the crime was committed. As noted above, the crime of prostitution takes place once an agreement is reached between the prostitute and customer. Often, this conversation is not recorded. Therefore, a defendant in a prostitution case can argue that no such agreement was reached.
No request or offer for sex: People often use irony, sarcasm, and humor when interacting with others. Therefore, people’s words are often misinterpreted or taken out of context. Following a prostitution arrest, a defendant may be able to argue that his or her words or actions were taken out of context, and that no agreement for sex was reached.
Entrapment: Finally, a defendant in a prostitution case may be able to assert that he or she was entrapped by law enforcement. Entrapment occurs when the authorities lure a person into committing a crime that he or she wouldn’t have otherwise committed. However, entrapment is often difficult to prove in court, particularly in a prostitution sting arrest. That being said, entrapment does sometimes occur in prostitution sting scenarios. Therefore, depending on the circumstances surrounding the prostitution sting, it may be possible for a defendant’s attorney to successfully argue that his or her client was entrapped by the authorities.
Contact a Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested for the crime of prostitution in the state of Virginia, you need a criminal defense attorney in your corner. At Walker Jones, PC, our criminal defense attorneys will provide you with a strong defense against your criminal charges. When you come to us for legal representation, we will do everything in our power to obtain a successful result in your prostitution case. Please contact us to arrange an initial consultation with a talented and knowledgeable Virginia criminal defense attorney.
Posted in: Criminal Defense, Prostitution
