Sex Trafficking, Prostitution and Escort Services
Sex Trafficking, Prostitution and Escort Services Defense Attorney Serving all South Florida
Facing criminal charges for any acts related to sex trafficking, prostitution, or escort services in South Florida can be daunting. The potential consequences of trafficking or prostitution crimes are serious.
If you learn that you’re under investigation for a sex-trafficking crime, a prostitution crime, or a crime involving escort services in Florida, we’re here to help.
These sex-crime-related charges are prevalent in Florida, especially in South Florida. It’s essential that you find a trusted criminal defense attorney immediately to ensure your rights are protected. We’ve helped many other people in the same situation you are in right now.
What is a Sex Trafficking Crime in South Florida?
Sex trafficking is a commercial sex act that involves force, fraud, or coercion. Both sex trafficking and labor trafficking fall under the umbrella of human trafficking. Florida is the third-highest state for sex trafficking cases and second-highest for labor trafficking.
In 2019, a Florida sheriff’s department reported about 900 human trafficking cases in Florida. The number continues to grow each year.
Florida law defines human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery. The consequences are serious. Sex trafficking involves people – young children, teens, and adults – who are trafficked within Florida or across state or international borders into Florida. Sex trafficking in Florida is defined as victims facing force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
What is a Prostitution Crime in South Florida?
Florida law defines prostitution as “giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire.” Sexual activity in Florida’s prostitution statute includes oral, anal or vaginal penetration by another person or object; or the handling or fondling of the sexual organ of another for the purposes of masturbation.
In Florida, it is illegal to:
- Maintain any businesses or building for the purposes of prostitution
- To offer another person for the purpose of prostitution
- To secure or purchase another person for the purpose of prostitution
- For a person over 18 years old to offer to engage in prostitution
- To enter or stay in any place for the purpose of prostitution
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What is an Escort Service Crime in South Florida?
In Florida, escort services are actually legal and licensed. It is entirely legal to provide women, who are typically independent contractors, for dates or companionship. However, sex cannot be part of the equation.
If any sexual act is part of the equation, an escort service can become a prostitution crime. When it comes to a prostitution crime, as explained above, both the person offering the service and the person buying the service (often called a “John”) commit a crime. Charging the buyer with a crime is a way the state hopes to curb the commercial sex industry because it often is used to conceal sex trafficking crimes.
In Florida, it’s illegal to purchase the services of any person engaged in prostitution. Encouraging another person to commit prostitution is also considered a solicitation crime.
Examples of Sex Trafficking, Prostitution and Escorts Service Charges in South Florida
Attorney Glenn Roderman and his team represent clients facing any sex trafficking, prostitution, or escort service-related charges in South Florida.
Some of the most common sex trafficking crimes in Florida include forcing victims to work in prostitution or the sexual entertainment industry, whether in live venues or for the production of pornography.
Prostitution crimes are often facilitated by or committed in adult entertainment venues. Escort services typically lead to crimes of solicitation.
Consequences and Penalties for Sex Trafficking, Prostitution and Escort Service Crimes in Florida
Penalties for Sex Trafficking Crimes in South Florida
Some penalties for sex trafficking crimes in South Florida include:
- Coercing an adult who is an “unauthorized alien” for commercial sexual activity commits a first-degree felony in Florida.
- Transporting any child or person believed to be under 18 years old into Florida from another state for coerced commercial sexual activity commits a first-degree felony. This is punishable by up to life in prison if convicted.
- Transporting an adult into Florida from another state for coerced commercial sexual activity commits a first-degree felony.
- If a parent, legal guardian, or another person in custody of a minor sells or transfers them to another for the purposes of sex trafficking or human trafficking, the person commits a life felony in Florida.
- If a person permanently brands a victim of sex trafficking, they face a second-degree felony.
Penalties for Prostitution Crimes in South Florida
Some penalties for prostitution crimes in South Florida include:
- A second-degree or first-degree misdemeanor for a first-time violation in Florida
- A first-degree misdemeanor or third-degree felony for a second violation in Florida
- A third-degree or second-degree felony for a third violation in Florida
Penalties for Escort Service Crimes in South Florida?
While escort services themselves are legal, escort services can sometimes cover for prostitution crimes or lead to solicitation crimes. Penalties for solicitation crimes in South Florida include:
- If convicted of soliciting a prostitute:
- You’ll need to go to prostitution and human trafficking awareness courses
- Complete 100 hours of community training
- Get STD tests
- Pay a $5,000 fine
- A first-time solicitation conviction is a first-degree misdemeanor. You can be in jail for up to 1 year, be on probation for up to 1 year, and be required to pay a $1,000 fine.
- A second-time solicitation conviction is a third-degree felony. You can face up to 5 years in prison, five years of probation, and up to $5,000 in fines.
- A third-time solicitation conviction is a second-degree felony. You can face up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and up to $10,000 in fines.
As you can see from the consequences outlined above, the consequences are serious if you’re facing sex trafficking, prostitution, escort, or solicitation charges in Florida.
Hiring a skilled Florida sex crime criminal defense attorney is very important to protecting your rights and future.
Sex Trafficking, Prostitution, and Escort Service Defense Attorney in Fort Lauderdale & Boca Raton, Florida
Being charged with any type of crime can be overwhelming, especially when it involves your future and livelihood and comes with strict penalties. If you or a loved one are facing a sex crime charge in South Florida, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge for a Florida sex crime, our criminal defense attorneys have the skills and expertise you need to fight for the best possible result for your case.
Attorney Glenn Roderman and Attorney Philip Johnston have helped many people successfully overcome serious sex crime charges in South Florida. When you hire the Glenn Roderman Law Firm, you get a skilled and compassionate team on your side to defend and fight for your rights.
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