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Prostitution is a crime in every state in the U.S. except for Nevada, where it is heavily regulated. Arizona’s laws punish the people who solicit a prostitute, the person who performs sexual acts for money (prostitute), and those who operate or control a prostitution house. Even a basic prostitution charge can have devastating consequences upon conviction. At The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer, we represent those charged with prostitution and those charged with the solicitation of a prostitute. If you need an experienced Glendale prostitution defense attorney, contact our office as soon as possible at (623) 847-7117.
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In Arizona, sex work is broadly defined as the exchange of sexual services for money or other valuable items. This includes activities such as prostitution, solicitation, and running a brothel. Sex work extends beyond physical acts. Even advertising, coordinating, or otherwise facilitating exchanging sexual services is a form of sex work subject to legal consequences. Both the person selling sexual services and the person buying them are violating the law. Solicitation, seeking or offering to engage in sexual acts for money, is also against the law.
Sexual contact does not need to occur for a conviction of criminal prostitution or solicitation. To be found guilty, the state must prove three elements:
In Glendale, Arizona, as in the rest of the state, prostitution is indeed illegal. Engaging in any form of prostitution, including soliciting, offering, or accepting sexual services in exchange for money or goods, is a crime.
Individuals charged with prostitution and/or solicitation may face penalties such as fines, jail time, community service, and a criminal record. Many courts require a minimum of 15 days in jail, even for a first offense. It is the goal of our Glendale criminal defense lawyer to aggressively defend you whether this is your first offense or you have prior convictions.
There are numerous types of prostitution charges, including:
No matter your charge, contact our Glendale prostitution defense lawyer for legal help. A defense attorney will be able to represent you during court appearances, explain your charges, and develop a defense strategy to reach the best possible outcome. A prostitution charge can have serious consequences, just like in any other criminal case, having an experienced lawyer by your side can make the difference. Call a Glendale prostitution defense attorney from The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer for a free initial case review at (623) 847-7117.
Here’s an overview of some key Arizona prostitution laws:
Phoenix City Code §23-52 (Solicitation of Prostitution): In addition to state laws, Arizona cities may have their own ordinances to address prostitution-related offenses. In Phoenix, for example, soliciting or engaging in prostitution is prohibited under city code §23-52.
Arizona Revised Statute 13-1002 defines solicitation as commanding, encouraging, requesting or soliciting another person into committing illegal acts or conduct with the intent to promote the commission of the crime, in a way that would establish that person’s complicity in the commission of the crime. While, technically, solicitation can refer to enticing or demanding someone to engage in any type of criminal activity, the most common use of this charge is solicitation for prostitution.
In Arizona, someone does not have to commit the actual crime of being solicited to be guilty of solicitation. Convincing another person to steal something, for example, meets the crime of solicitation even without being the one to do the stealing. In another example, going through with an act of prostitution is not a prerequisite for a solicitation for a prostitution charge. It is enough to try to solicit someone into doing something illegal, even if the illegal act never actually takes place.
To convict a defendant of solicitation in Arizona, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant commanded, encouraged, requested, or solicited another person into committing an illegal act, such as prostitution. In a case involving solicitation of prostitution, both the person offering money for sex and the person offering sex acts for money could be guilty of the crime. Both parties are soliciting the other to commit illegal acts. In most cases, the crime of solicitation must also involve the intent to engage in the criminal act with the person solicited.
Arizona’s solicitation for prostitution penalties are some of the harshest in the country. Solicitation is always illegal, with varying consequences depending on the nature of the crime. A conviction for solicitation of prostitution is generally a misdemeanor, not a felony. Prostitution is a Class 1 misdemeanor, while solicitation of prostitution is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Soliciting someone for a more serious crime, such as a Class 6 felony, however, could lead to more serious charges, such as a Class 2 misdemeanor. Solicitation may lead to felony charges is if it was solicitation of a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 felony crime.
A misdemeanor will still, however, end up on your permanent record, unless your prostitution defense lawyer can talk the courts into reducing the charge to an infraction. Infractions do not go on a person’s criminal record or lead to jail time. If you receive a misdemeanor or felony conviction for solicitation, on the other hand, you could end up with 15 days to 6 months behind bars for a first offense, along with a $2,500 fine and 3 years of probation. These penalties can vary according to the circumstances and the county where the arrest took place. The crime will also go on your permanent record.
Escort services are legal in Arizona as long as they focus on providing companionship and social interaction instead of sexual services. Escorts are paid for their time and company—they do not offer or engage in sex for money. These services generally involve attending events, social outings, or just hanging out together for a specified period of time. If any sexual activities occur between consenting adults during these encounters, as long as money is not exchanged, legally, it would be considered a private matter.
On the other hand, prostitution involves the exchange of sexual services for money or compensation (gifts, favors). Any kind of sexual activity could fall under the umbrella of prostitution: intercourse, oral sex, or other sexual acts. Again, prostitution is illegal in the state of Arizona and comes with strict penalties.
It may be possible to beat a solicitation charge or lessen the penalties with help from a criminal defense attorney. An attorney can review your case and create a custom strategy for combatting the charges against you. Possible defenses can include the wrong defendant, lack of intent to solicit, and insufficient evidence. Lack of intent is one of the most common defenses, in which the defendant asserts he or she was not planning on actually going through with the crime in question. Challenging the evidence obtained is also a frequent strategy used to combat solicitation charges.
Entrapment may also be a usable defense if a law enforcement officer induced you to commit the crime of solicitation. Using this defense proves that you would not have committed the crime in question were it not for the actions the law enforcement officer took. This is a difficult legal defense to use but could work if an undercover police officer took extreme measures to trick you into soliciting a crime, such as threatening you. In most cases, the idea of committing the crime must have come from the police officer, not from you, for an entrapment defense. Work with a Glendale prostitution defense attorney to discuss possible defense strategies in your unique case.
If a man or woman exposes his or her genitals, or a woman exposes her areola or nipple to another person in a public place, it can be considered indecent exposure and face criminal charges. A conviction for public sexual indecency can lead to an individual’s registration as a sex offender. A criminal record and inclusion on the sex offender registry can severely limit job or housing opportunities. You need skilled criminal defense attorneys on your side from the very start. We will fight to get your sex crime charges reduced or defend you in court if negotiations with the prosecutor fall through.
If you would like to discuss options on your case and how we can provide legal help, contact The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer today and connect with one of our highly experienced Glendale criminal defense attorneys.
Prostitution laws in Arizona are outlined in ARS 13-3214, which defines the penalties and consequences for each related crime. In Arizona, prostitution is the most serious type of misdemeanor (class one). For a first prostitution conviction in Arizona, there is a mandatory 15 days of jail time. Repeat offenses carry more severe penalties.
A second prostitution conviction can lead to 30 days of jail time. A third conviction for prostitution can result in a 60-day incarceration. Be aware that if you have prior felony convictions unrelated to prostitution those can lead to even steeper penalties.
In addition to incarceration, the judge can impose additional penalties like doing a mandatory education or drug and alcohol treatment program. Probation may be required. These penalties are intended to address the underlying issues that often result in prostitution, such as poverty, addiction, and having no support system. To learn about the options for your specific case, don’t hesitate to contact a Peoria criminal defense lawyer.
Furthermore, prostitution charges do affect your criminal record. A conviction for four or more prostitution offenses can result in a felony, which carries more severe consequences. In such cases, you will be incarcerated for at least 180 consecutive days. Remember that related crimes, like pimping, enticement, and procurement, are felonies with even harsher penalties.
Additionally, Arizona has strict laws against child prostitution. If someone under 18 is involved in prostitution, they will be charged with the more serious crime of child prostitution. These charges are applicable even if the minor involved in the prostitution activity is not a willing participant.
Child prostitution and taking a child for the purpose of prostitution are both punishable by 13 to 27 years’ imprisonment. If the defendant has a prior conviction for a sex offense or a violent crime against a child, the prison term can be as long as 37 years. Finally, towns in Arizona can have their own city ordinances against prostitution. These local laws will have penalties that are equally as severe as state laws.
The penalty for soliciting prostitution in Arizona varies depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Engaging in solicitation, or offering/agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for some form of compensation, is a misdemeanor under Arizona law. If convicted, individuals face fines, probation, mandatory STD testing, and court-ordered counseling.
If you are convicted of soliciting prostitution in the city of Phoenix, you may be sentenced to a minimum of 15 days in jail on your first offense. A second conviction in Phoenix will get you a minimum of 30 days in jail. Expect to spend at least 60 days in jail for a third solicitation offense.
If you have questions regarding prostitution, solicitation, and public sexual indecency, schedule a free consultation at The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer. Our criminal defense attorney can be reached by calling (623) 847-7117 or by completing our online contact form. Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend appointments are available based on the needs of our clients.
At The Law Offices of John Phebus, we are committed to serving as your Glendale Prostitution Defense Lawyer. Our firm is dedicated to defending individuals accused of prostitution, offering confidential and aggressive legal support in the heart of Glendale. Located at 17505 N 79th Ave #314, Glendale, AZ 85308, our office is ideally positioned to provide effective assistance to clients throughout the region. For easy directions, refer to these GeoCoordinates: 33.6434281,-112.2301586,15z. Visit us to utilize our extensive experience in prostitution defense law.
John Phebus is a seasoned attorney specializing in personal injury and criminal defense law. With a focus on DUI defense, vehicular crimes, and serious injury cases, John has been fiercely advocating for his clients, ensuring they receive the representation and compensation they deserve. His expertise and dedication have led to numerous successful outcomes. If you’re seeking a knowledgeable and passionate attorney who will fight for your rights, John Phebus is here to help.
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