What is Patronizing a Prostitute?

Patronizing a prostitute is essentially paying a prostitute or attempting to pay a prostitute to engage in sexual activity. The exchange doesn’t have to include traditional cash money, but something of value has to be exchanged or used as tender in order for it to be a case of patronizing a prostitute. Any time a person is paid for some type of sexual activity, it’s possible to get charged with patronizing prostitution. If the sexual act didn’t take place, but you agreed to pay for it, and there was a clear transaction or agreement, you could possibly face patronizing prostitution charges.

Soliciting a Prostitute

Soliciting a prostitute is essentially the same as patronizing a prostitute. If you solicit or in any way request to engage in sexual activity in return for money or something else of value, that’s solicitation of a prostitute. Depending upon the circumstances of your individual case, you could be facing a variety of other changes too. Any case involving one person trying to pay for sex or some type of sexual activity with another person can be considered solicitation or patronizing a prostitute.

Sex For Money or Something Else of Value

In most cases, patronizing prostitution or solicitation involves cash, but that’s not always the case. Anything of value that’s being traded for sex or sexual activity can be considered ‘tender’ in a patronizing prostitution case. It’s not uncommon to see illegal and legal prescription drugs used as tender in patronizing prostitution cases. Jewelry and just about any item of value can be used in a transaction involving solicitation of a prostitute. Just because there wasn’t any cash involved doesn’t mean that you might not still face patronizing prostitution charges.

Shame and Embarrassment of Patronizing Charge

Unfortunately, in cases involving prostitution, there is a huge amount of shame and embarrassment that goes along with an arrest and potential conviction. Especially in cases where the accused are prominent members of the community, a patronizing prostitution charge can be devastating, embarrassing and incredibly shameful. After any type of charge involving prostitution, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on your defense. Not only do you want to avoid fines and possible jail time, but you also want to attempt to restore your good name after a shameful charge like patronizing prostitution.

Know Your Rights

As with any arrest, it’s important for the accused to know and exercise their rights. You have the right to remain silent, and that’s not just in popular crime television shows. You have the protected right against self-incrimination. That means you don’t have to talk to interrogators or investigators until your lawyer is present. Many people fall into the trap of wanting to be helpful in order to prove their innocence. There is absolutely nothing wrong with politely declining to answer any questions until your attorney is present. In fact, that’s your best shot at a favorable outcome in your case.