Prostitution has been an institution that the government has been trying to regulate since the late 1800’s. If you have been arrested for patronizing prostitution, prostitution, promoting prostitution, or solicitation for prostitution you need an Indiana criminal defense lawyer that can help defend against Indiana prostitution and solicitation arrests. Call Indiana prostitution defense lawyer, Jesse K. Sanchez today at (317) 721-9858 today.
In Indiana, prostitutes are known by several names which include:
- Indiana escorts
- Indiana hookers
- Indiana prostitutes
Often prostitutes in Indiana can be found working at brothels in Indiana. Both running and owning a brothel in Indiana is against the law.
Being Charged as a Prostitute in Indiana? Call (317) 721-9858 Today.
What is Prostitution?
Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. Prostitution is also sometimes described as:
- Sexual services
- Commercial sex
- Hooking
- Sexual escorting
Prostitution laws differ worldwide. However, in the United States, all states except Nevada have banned prostitution since 1971. Our state, Indiana, has some very specific laws discussing how the crime of prostitution in Indiana is treated.
Is Prostitution Legal in Indiana
Solicitation for prostitution is a crime in Indiana. Most often, prostitution is usually charged as a misdemeanor. Ind. Code § 35-45-4-2 defines prostitution as knowingly or intentionally, for money or other property:
- Performing, or offering or agreeing to perform, sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct
- Fondling, or offering or agreeing to fondle, the genitals of another person
Again, in Indiana, prostitution is considered a Class A misdemeanor, UNLESS the offender has two prior convictions for prostitution, which at that point, the crime of prostitution is considered a Level 6 felony.
Is Patronizing or Promoting Prostitution Legal in Indiana?
According to Ind. Code § 35-45-4-3, a person is guilty of patronizing a prostitute if he or she knowingly or intentionally pays, or offers or agrees to pay, money or other property to another person:
- For past or future engagement in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with the paying person or any other person; or
- For having fondled, or on the understanding that the other person will fondle, the genitals of a paying person or any other person.
The crime of patronizing prostitution is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the offender has two prior convictions for the same offense.
Also, under Ind. Code § 35-45-4-4, the state prohibits individuals from any conduct that seeks to promote prostitution. This covers:
- Enticing or compelling another person to become a prostitute;
- Procuring or offering or agreeing to procure a person for another for the purpose of prostitution;
- Having control over the use of a place and permitting another person to use the place for prostitution;
- Receiving money or other property from a prostitute without lawful consideration, knowing it was earned in whole or in part from prostitution; or
- Conducting or directing another person to a place for the purpose of prostitution.
Indiana has some stiff penalties for promoting prostitution. In Indiana, the penalties surrounding prostitution are the following:
- A conviction for promoting prostitution is a Level 5 felony punishable by a possible prison term of between one and six years, and a fine not exceeding $10,000, as provided by Ind. Code.
- If the individual enticed or compelled to perform an act of prostitution is less than eighteen years old, it is a Level 4 felony punishable by a prison term lasting between two and twelve years and a fine not exceeding $10,000, as provided by Ind. Code.
It should also be known that federal law prohibits transporting a person across state lines with intent to engage in prostitution or any other criminal sexual activity. It’s important to make sure you have a top prostitution defense lawyer on your side, The Law Office of Jesse K. Sanchez.
Indiana Truck Stop Prostitution
Truck stops are in a way perfect place for prostitution activity. The term lot lizard presents a person that goes from truck to truck like a lizard that goes from rock to rock. The term lot lizard is used synonymously with the word prostitute because prostitutes have been known for going truck to truck.
While truck stop prostitution is definitely not a myth, just because you have been arrested for prostitution in a truck stop doesn’t necessarily mean that you are guilty. Though prostitution at truck stops are common, being accused of solicitation for prostitution is just that, an accusation. You are always presumed innocent before guilty.
Indiana Truck Stop Prostitution Penalties
While prostitution activity is often at increased levels at truck stops, there is no current special legislation that increases the sentence at conviction. It’s best just not to get arrested for prostitution in Indianapolis or to be arrested for prostitution in Indiana as a general matter of speaking.
An Indiana Prostitution Arrest is Very Serious
A conviction or even an arrest for soliciting a prostitute or for prostitution carries with it a great deal of stigma, embarrassment, cost and is a seriously life changing event. Don’t let an arrest for prostitution let you search for a “prostitution lawyer near me” when one of the top Indianapolis criminal defense law firms, The Law Office of Jesse K. Sanchez is here to help you navigate the complicated and potentially frightening legal process. Call (317) 721-9858 for help today!
