Have you been arrested for prostitution or a related offense in Louisville, KY? When you are facing a Louisville sex crime, time is of the essence. Even though prostitution and solicitation are misdemeanors, a conviction can have a serious impact on your life.
Suhre & Associates, LLC has more than 100 years of combined experience defending clients charged with sex offenses. Contact our law firm at (502) 371-7000 to schedule your free case review with a Louisville prostitution lawyer who will fight for you.
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How Suhre & Associates, LLC Can Help if You’re Arrested for Prostitution in Louisville
Do not assume that a misdemeanor sex offense is a minor issue. If convicted, a prostitution charge can follow you for the rest of your life. It can impact your reputation and your ability to get a job and rent a home. Few criminal charges in Louisville, Kentucky, carry the social stigma of a sex crime.
An experienced Louisville criminal defense attorney at Suhre & Associates, LLC will help you fight for your reputation and freedom. Our legal team includes a former prosecutor and former police officer who offer valuable insight into the state’s tactics against you. We have been admitted to the prestigious National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and recognized with a 2020 AVVO Clients’ Choice Award.
Choose Suhre & Associates, LLC to represent you, and we will:
- Provide the legal advice, guidance, and personal attention you deserve
- Protect your constitutional rights
- Investigate your case for police misconduct and constitutional violations
- Develop a multi-faceted legal defense
- Seek a dismissal or reduction of the charges against you
- Pursue the best possible resolution to your case, such as an acquittal, not guilty verdict, plea bargain, or lenient sentencing
Contact our law office today for a free consultation with a Louisville prostitution lawyer who can help you. We will put our century of combined experience to work on your behalf.
Overview of Prostitution in Kentucky
Kentucky law takes prostitution seriously. Prostitution laws criminalize engaging in, offering, or agreeing to engage in sexual acts for compensation. Many sex crimes are related to prostitution, including solicitation, promoting prostitution, and more. Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 529 covers all types of prostitution offenses.
KRS 529.020 defines prostitution as engaging in, offering to engage in, or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct with someone else for a fee. It is a Class B misdemeanor. “Sexual conduct” can refer to intercourse or any act of sexual gratification involving sex organs.
Loitering for prostitution purposes is a violation for a first offense and a Class B misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. This charge is often made against someone when there is not enough evidence to support a prostitution charge. Loitering for prostitution refers to loitering in a public place for the purpose of agreeing to, engaging in, or offering to prostitute.
Charges Related to Prostitution
Other statutes criminalize the behavior of other parties in prostitution. Criminal solicitation under KRS 506.030 can be charged against a john or someone patronizing a prostitute. For a misdemeanor offense like prostitution, criminal solicitation would be a Class B misdemeanor.
KRS 529.040 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to promote prostitution. This sex crime is charged when someone knowingly profits from or advances prostitution. If the person controlled or owned a house of prostitution, prostitution enterprise, or business involving prostitution, it becomes a Class D felony. This charge can be brought against someone other than a prostitute or patron, such as a pimp.
Human Trafficking
Kentucky law recognizes that prostitution is often related to human trafficking. Someone can be convicted of human trafficking for intentionally subjecting someone to forced labor or services or commercial sexual activity (prostitution). Human trafficking is a Class C felony. It becomes a Class B felony if the trafficked person suffers serious injury. If the victim is under 18, the offense is upgraded to the next level.
Promoting human trafficking is a separate crime under Kentucky’s prostitution laws. This charge is reserved for individuals who benefit financially from knowing participation in human trafficking. It can also be charged for recruiting, harboring, obtaining, or enticing another person knowing they will be subject to trafficking.
What Are the Penalties for Prostitution in Louisville, Kentucky?
If you are convicted of prostitution, you may face a fine of up to $250 and up to 90 days in jail.
Prostitution is treated differently than other sex offenses in Louisville. It is not actually classified as a “sex offense” under Kentucky law. When you are convicted of a sex crime, you may be required to register as a sex offender.
A prostitution conviction does not require sex offender registration in Kentucky. However, some related offenses may, particularly when minors or human trafficking is involved.
The following sex crimes related to prostitution can require registration:
- Promoting a sexual performance of a minor
- Human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity
- Promoting human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity
- Promoting prostitution if the defendant profits from or advances prostitution of a minor
- First-degree unlawful transaction with a minor
While the penalties for a misdemeanor prostitution conviction may not seem serious, a conviction can affect your life in many ways. You may be left with a permanent criminal record that is visible to potential employers and landlords.
What Defenses Are Available for a Prostitution Charge in Louisville, KY?
There are many possible defenses available in prostitution cases in Louisville. Your Louisville defense attorneys will help you craft the strongest legal defense possible.
Defenses may include:
- No agreement for sexual conduct. It’s not uncommon for someone to be charged with criminal solicitation or prostitution due to misunderstanding. Further, escort services are legal in Louisville when there is no agreement for or exchange of money for sexual behavior.
- No intent for sexual conduct. Giving money or something of value to a prostitute does not mean you intended to exchange it for a sexual act.
- No money or items of value changed hands. Prostitution requires exchanging sexual activity for a fee.
- Entrapment. Sometimes police misconduct is a defense to prostitution or solicitation. Perhaps you were enticed to commit a crime you would not have committed otherwise.
- False allegations. You cannot be convicted of prostitution merely on a person’s uncorroborated testimony.
- Lack of evidence. We may use this defense if there is insufficient evidence to support a prostitution or solicitation charge.
- Victim of human trafficking. If you are the victim of human trafficking and coerced or forced to engage in commercial sexual activity, you have an affirmative defense to prostitution charges.
- Minor under 18. Someone who is under 18 cannot be convicted of prostitution.
The following defenses do not excuse prostitution under KRS 529.180:
- The victim was charged with an offense
- The intended victim was a law enforcement officer posing as a minor
- The defendant did not know the minor’s actual age
- The minor consented to engage in prostitution
- The solicitation was not successful
If you are facing criminal charges for prostitution or a related offense, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal counsel as soon as possible.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Louisville Prostitution Lawyer
Sex crimes are taken very seriously in Kentucky. If you are facing a charge for prostitution, solicitation, or promoting prostitution, you deserve a rigorous defense.
Suhre & Associates, LLC will fight for your freedom and good name. Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Louisville prostitution lawyer to discuss how we can help you.
