In Louisiana, prostitution and other crimes involving profiting from sexual acts are taken seriously in a court of law. If you are being accused of prostitution or have been convicted of crimes such as these, whether minor or complex, it can negatively affect your record. Often, prostitution is viewed as an act committed by one individual who seeks a profit from performing sexual acts.
While this may be the case at times, multiple parties such as “pimps” or “johns” may also be involved and charged upon investigating these schemes. If you are facing charges or are accused of prostitution, our skilled criminal lawyers in Shreveport at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm may help you better understand the laws for these crimes and your rights in any case.
Understanding Prostitution in Louisiana
Prostitution is often portrayed and understood as an individual seeking profit for sexual acts. While this is the main component, a person may also be charged with breaking the law if they are found to be soliciting a person and seeking to engage in these acts knowingly.
In Louisiana, statute RS 14:82 defines prostitution as:
“The practice by a person of indiscriminate sexual intercourse with others for compensation…The solicitation by one person of another with the intent to engage in indiscriminate sexual intercourse with the latter for compensation.”
Prostitution and solicitation are both criminal offenses, and those convicted may face financial penalties and jail time. Committing these crimes or being accused of prostitution and solicitation may affect your daily life and negatively impact your record. An attorney with extensive knowledge of the legal impact of sex crimes may be able to help you evaluate your case and defend you against the prosecution’s claims.
What Are Louisiana’s Prostitution Laws?
If you are arrested for a suspected sex crime such as prostitution, it’s essential to understand the laws and the rights you may have in any case. In Lousiana, common offenses and adjacent prostitution laws include:
Pandering
Pandering is commonly referred to as “pimping.” In these cases, a person may be arrested for enticing, persuading, encouraging, or causing entry for a person to engage in prostitution. Typically, pimping involves using force, threats, or false promises to get an individual to perform prostitution as a means of profit. If you have been accused or arrested for pandering, consulting with an attorney may help you discover the next best steps in your case.
Solicitation
Since prostitution is illegal in Louisiana, soliciting sexual acts for payment is illegal. If discovered, you may face financial penalties or jail time. Additionally, soliciting an underage prostitute, whether online, through sex trafficking, or other means, is illegal. Sex crimes involving minors carry severe penalties and may change various aspects of your life if you are convicted.
Promoting Prostitution and Letting Premises
Louisiana defines promoting prostitution as knowingly and willfully controlling, supervising, or managing any enterprise that provides prostitution services for a cost. If a person or business permits prostitution in their establishments, they may be fined and charged. Motels, hotels, or similar establishments may be a part of prostitution cases if an investigation uncovers many individuals are employed by the establishment and committing illegal sexual acts.
Entrapment and Online Sex Workers
Sting operations are common ways people get arrested for prostituting or soliciting a prostitute. In these cases, an officer may pose as a customer for solicitation or as a prostitute to discover potential customers. Additionally, prostitution does not only occur on the streets of Louisiana. Law enforcement regularly discovers sex workers offering their services online and agreeing to meet with a customer in person. This is also considered a form of prostitution and solicitation.
Attorney Eric G. Johnson May Help You by Building a Strong Defense in a Prostitution Case
Being accused of a crime and being charged with criminal offenses can cause many hardships for the individuals convicted. Especially in the case of prostitution, it is crucial to understand your rights and how a criminal defense attorney may help you resolve a case. Depending on the situation surrounding your arrest, whether you were a victim or played a more significant role in a scheme, hiring an attorney may help you refute the prosecution’s claims and lessen or drop charges in a sex crimes case.
At John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, our team brings years of experience in providing skilled legal representation for clients within Louisiana’s communities. To consult with our understanding team and take the steps toward a strong defense for your case, complete our online contact form or call us at (318) 377-1555.