Prostitution is illegal in the State of Florida, and anyone involved with the act, business, or transaction of selling sex for money may be prosecuted under the law. While this includes sex workers and the people who engage them, it also consists of those who solicit prostitution for another person, commonly known as pimping and pandering.
If you are facing charges of pimping and pandering, it is vital that you contact a Florida sex crimes attorney as soon as possible.
Actions That Can Lead to Pimping and Pandering Charges in Florida
Profiting from the illegal sex trade is considered a more severe crime than selling or soliciting sex for oneself. As a result, offenses of pimping and pandering are prosecuted much more aggressively and can potentially result in felony charges. You may be charged with pimping and pandering if you:
- Drove someone to a location where you knew acts of prostitution would occur
- Recruited one or more people to engage in prostitution
- Forced or coerced someone into participating in prostitution
- Profited personally or financially from acts of prostitution
- Owned or operated a business where prostitution occurred
- Knowingly engaged in business with someone involved in prostitution
Penalties for Pimping and Pandering
Pimping and pandering is a third-degree felony. If convicted, you could be ordered to serve up to 5 years in prison and pay fines up to $5,000. There may be increased penalties if you have a previous conviction or the offense involves the prostitution of a minor.
However, depending on the circumstances of your case, this could just be the beginning. The prosecutor could levy additional charges of sexual activity with a minor, child exploitation, indecent exposure, or even human trafficking.
Speak to a Florida Sex Crime Defense Attorney Now
A sex crime conviction will affect the rest of your life. Even after you have served your time in prison, you face mandatory posting on the sex offender registry and permanent damage to your reputation. Call Flaherty & Merrifield at 850-243-6096 for a free, confidential case evaluation and see how we can help protect your future.
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