Prostitution Charges in Oakland
Let an Experienced East Bay Criminal Attorney Fight for You!
Undercover police officers pose as prostitutes all the time, hoping to
catch unsuspecting johns in the act. They also pose as johns, looking
to bust prostitutes and their
pimps. These undercover sting operations also unfortunately snare innocent men
and women with frequency. When this occurs, you need an experienced
Oakland sex crime lawyer on your side. We proudly help clients in Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond,
Concord, and the surrounding areas!
California Penal Code 647b is also known as California's prostitution law.
It makes it illegal for anyone to engage in the act of prostitution or
to offer to engage in the act of prostitution. Both the prostitute and
the customer (also known as a john) can be arrested and charged with a
prostitution crime. Additionally, a pimp or a Madame can also be arrested,
but they will face charges of pimping and pandering instead.
Prostitution rings are very common. Illegal immigrants and children are often coerced into this lifestyle and offered very little choice. When this occurs, more serious child prostitution or sex trafficking charges can be levied instead of prostitution.
Prostitution in California
The act of prostitution involves performing sexual acts or allowing someone to perform sexual acts for money. This can involve sexual intercourse, erotic fondling, or oral sex. Even if money does not ever change hands, simply offering to pay for sex or soliciting another person for sex is against the law.
It is also important to note that the sexual acts do not have to be performed in order to be charged with prostitution or soliciting a prostitute. Simply agreeing to pay or agreeing to perform the sexual acts in question are enough to arrest you and charge you with a prostitution crime.
Example:
Sandy is walking on the street in a provocative dress. An undercover agent
posing as a john approaches her and offers to pay her $200 for a blowjob.
She agrees and leads him to an alley. Sandy would then be arrested for
agreeing to engage in the act of prostitution, even though she did not
receive any money or perform the sexual act.
Penalties for Prostitution in California
In the State of California, prostitution crimes are not penalized as severely as other sex crimes. Penalties include:
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- A misdemeanor charge
- 2nd offenses require a minimum of 45 days in county jail
- 3rd offenses require a minimum of 90 days in county jail
- Possible restrictions on driver’s license
- Possible seizure and forfeiture of your vehicle
Damage to your reputation is perhaps the worst penalty for being arrested and charged with a prostitution crime. Johns may face serious repercussions at home and at work. Charges of prostitution can damage your marriage, relationships, friendships, career, and reputation in the community. Therefore, you need these charges to be dismissed as quickly and as quietly as possible.
At the Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed, we understand your desire to keep these charges private and we work quickly to have them dismissed. We also know the damage that a prostitution charge can cause and will help you protect your reputation and your standing in the community throughout the legal process.
Contact Us
Our defense law firm serves clients in Oakland, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, and throughout the East Bay. With over ten years of experience, our founding attorney has an accomplished record of results. Contact the Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed today at (510) 907-6600 for a free review of you case. If you are already detained, we are also available for phone consultations and jail interviews. You can also fill out a confidential contact form.
