Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and Miami Dade County have many “Escort” and “Pay Date” services available to the public. South Florida also has many massage parlors, strip clubs, and adult novelty stores. Thus, it is no surprise that there is a market for prostitution in these areas. Solicitation of Prostitution is payment or an offer thereof in exchange for sexual activity and Prostitution is the receipt of payment in exchange for sexual activity. To prove the criminal offense of Prostitution, the State Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the criminal suspect offered to commit, or did commit or engage in prostitution, lewdness, or assignation. “Prostitution” is the giving or receiving of the body for sexual intercourse for hire, which includes the giving or receiving of the body for licentious sexual intercourse without hire. “Lewdness” is any indecent or obscene act. The words “lewd,” “lascivious,” and “indecent” mean the same thing and mean a wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual intention on the part of the person doing an act. “Lewdness” is also the unlawful indulgence of lust signifying that form of immorality which has a relation to sexual impurity. It is generally used to indicate gross indecency with respect to sexual relations. “Assignation” includes the making of any appointment or engagement for prostitution or lewdness or any act in furtherance of such appointment or engagement. To prove the criminal offense of Maintaining a House of Prostitution, the State Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the criminal suspect kept, set up, maintained, or operated any place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution. A “structure” is any building of any kind, either temporary or permanent, which has a roof over it and includes any closely adjoining land enclosed by a fence or wall. A “conveyance” means any motor vehicle, ship, vessel, railroad car, trailer, aircraft, or sleeping car. To prove the criminal offense of Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution, the State Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the criminal suspect offered, offered to secure, or agreed to secure another person for the purpose of prostitution or any lewd or indecent act. “Lewd, lascivious, and indecent” are synonyms and connote wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual design on the part of the perpetrator. “Lewd and lascivious” mean an unlawful indulgence in lust, eager for sexual indulgence. It is not necessary that such act defined as lewd be committed in a public place or in the presence of many people. It is sufficient if it is an intentional act of lewdness, offensive to one or more persons present.

To prove the criminal offense of Transporting for the Purpose of Prostitution, the State Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the criminal suspect directed, took, transported, or offered or agreed to take or transport a person to a place, structure, or building, and that the criminal suspect knew or had reasonable cause to believe that such directing, taking, or transporting was for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation. To prove the criminal offense of Receiving for the Purpose of Prostitution, the State Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the criminal suspect received, offered to receive, or agreed to receive a person into a place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation, and that the criminal suspect permitted a person to remain in a place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness, or assignation.

If you have been arrested or criminally charged with Prostitution or Solicitation of Prostitution, it would be advantageous to call a criminal defense attorney to discuss your rights as the defendant in a criminal law case. Criminal Defense Attorney Kenneth P. Hassett of Hassett and Associates, P.A. is an experienced criminal defense lawyer who has been practicing since 1991 in Miami Dade County, Fort Lauderdale, and Broward County. Criminal defense lawyers can represent you against the State Attorney’s criminal charges. Kenneth P. Hassett is a criminal lawyer advocate for you. If you would like an immediate free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale Prostitution Defense Attorney, available 24 hours per day seven days per week, contact Hassett and Associates, P.A.

796.07 Prohibiting prostitution, etc.; evidence; penalties; definitions.

796.04 Forcing, compelling, or coercing another to become a prostitute.

796.045 Sex trafficking; penalties.

Disclaimer

The information on this page does not represent legal advice. Florida Statues obtained from Online Sunshine, www.leg.state.fl.us, the official site of the Florida Legislature. Because the law is continually changing, some of the provisions contained herein may be out of date. It is always wise to seek counsel from an experienced criminal attorney like Kenneth Hassett.

If you have been charged as an Accessory After the Fact or a Principal in the First Degree to a criminal offense in Broward or Miami-Dade County, call Criminal Defense Attorney Kenneth P. Hassett.