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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ESCORT & PROSTITUTION?

 

• Escort Service: paying someone to be your date or to spend time with you is legal

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• Prostitution - California Penal Code ("PC") §647(b): paying (the "johns") or accepting money or other consideration (the "prostitute") in exchange for a sexual act is illegal

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• Solicitation - PC §647(b): offering to engage in a act of  prostitution is illegal

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WHEN IS AN ESCORT SERVICE BECOME ILLEGAL?

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• Some counties or cities may make escorting illegal without a valid escort license

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• Example, escort service is illegal in Los Angeles without a valid escort license - LAMC §103.107

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PROSTITUTION PER PENAL CODE §647(b)

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• Paying (the "johns") or accepting money or other consideration (the "prostitute") in exchange for a sexual act

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• Offering to engage in a act of  prostitution

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• Agreeing to engage in an act of prostitution

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PROSTITUTION IS A "PRIORABLE" CRIME

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• PC §647(b) is a "priorable" offense. This means that the punishment increases with each subsequent conviction

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• Second offense: a mandatory minimum of forty-five (45) days in a county jail

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• Third or subsequent offense: a mandatory minimum of ninety (90) days in a county jail

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ADDITIONAL PENALTY IF PROSTITUTION IS COMMITTED IN A CAR

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• Additional penalties may apply if you committed an act of prostitution while using  a car within 1,000 feet of a residence

 

• In addition to a jail sentence and/or a fine, the court may suspend the defendant's driver's license for up to thirty (30) days

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• In addition to a jail sentence and/or a fine, the court may Issue the defendant a restricted license for up to six (6) months

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8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A LAWYER FOR AN ESCORT OR PROSTITUTION CASE

 

• The complexity of modern escort and prostitution laws​​

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• The harshness of today's escrort and prostitution penalties​

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• Prosecutors are more likely to listen to an experienced escort and prostitution defense attorney than you

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• An experienced escort and prostitution attorney can assess whether you have legal defenses

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• An experienced escort and prostitution attorney can assess whether law enforcement had probable cause to arrest you

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• An experienced escort and prostitution attorney can assess whether law enforcement properly charged you

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• An experienced escort and prostitution attorney can provide creative and alternative options to serving jail time​

 

• If you hire an attorney, you may not have to appear at court. This allows you to not miss work, saving you money

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