Are Florida Escorts Legal
Florida has some of the harshest laws regarding prostitution and related activities. Convictions of these crimes can lead to jail time and fines. In addition, a person found guilty of prostitution-related charges cannot obtain certain jobs in the public sector. In addition, law enforcement officials conduct sting operations to catch sex workers and their patrons red-handed. Consequently, anyone arrested in this area should consult with a criminal attorney as soon as possible.
Solicitation of a Prostitute
The law in Florida defines prostitution as hiring someone to engage in sexual acts for money. Prostitution is also considered a form of human trafficking. A person can be charged with solicitation of a prostitute if they encourage, entice or bribe another person to commit prostitution. A first-time offense of this crime is a misdemeanor. However, subsequent offenses are felonies.
If convicted of this crime, a person faces fines up to several thousand dollars, jail time, community service and probation. Those who are convicted of soliciting a prostitute also have to undergo an HIV/STD test and attend a human sex offender class. Furthermore, the conviction can cause their name and mugshot to appear in the state’s Prostitution Solicitation Public Database. The best way to avoid these penalties is to hire a seasoned criminal defense attorney early on in the case. A lawyer can often intervene with the prosecutor and convince them to file less serious charges.
Are Florida Escorts Legal and Regulated?
According to the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, the state punishes child prostitution and related crimes with severe penalties. It is a felony for a person to sell or give a minor into prostitution, as well as for a parent to allow their child to engage in prostitution and sex trafficking. Those convicted must register as sex offenders.
The law also forbids solicitation, or encouraging, bribing or requesting a prostitute to perform sexual acts. It also criminalizes the operation of a service for prostitution and lewdness and owning or maintaining a place for assignation, lewdness or prostitution.
Many services marketed as escorts actually cross the line into a form of prostitution, despite what they claim on their websites and in advertisements. Whether or not a crime is committed, it’s vital to contact an experienced lawyer immediately. If convicted, individuals face hefty fines and jail time that can have lasting effects on their personal and professional lives.
Florida law prohibits all prostitution-related activity – including hiring anyone engaged in prostitution, as well as enticing, procuring or soliciting another person to engage in prostitution. This is why many individuals who run Florida Escorts services that cross over into prostitution are charged with this offense. The law states that it is illegal to exchange money for sex, even if it is agreed upon beforehand that this is a strictly platonic transaction and no sexual contact will occur.
Conviction for this crime can have serious consequences, ranging from jail time to fines. It is important for anyone who has been accused of this offense to seek an experienced attorney right away. A lawyer may be able to mount a strong defense strategy that reduces or eliminates criminal charges related to the sale and purchase of sex for profit. This is a very thorny area of the law and should not be taken lightly. A strong defense can mean the difference between freedom and imprisonment.
In Florida, it is illegal to offer sex for money. However, hiring an escort to provide companionship does not constitute prostitution. It also does not matter whether sex actually takes place between the escort and the person soliciting her. A person who is charged with this crime could face jail time, steep fines or both.
In addition, a criminal record for solicitation of sex or any other prostitution-related offense may have significant consequences on someone’s ability to get a job, rent an apartment or maintain personal relationships. That is why it is important to have solid legal counsel available if you are facing these charges.
Many people who are arrested for this crime come from places in the world where prostitution is legal. They are unaware of Florida’s laws when they get involved with sex work and end up in trouble. Some of these people are charged with a misdemeanor while others are charged with a felony based on the specific circumstances of their case.