There are serious consequences both in court and out of court for charges stemming from prostitution. Police in Collin County and other surrounding counties will often set up sting operations to entice and trap people engaging in criminal conduct that they would not otherwise normally engage in. Therefore, it is essential to present the best defense possible in order to avoid the serious penalties and consequences you may face.
Prostitution Texas Penal Code Definition
In Texas, a person may be charged with prostitution if he or she knowingly offers to engage, agrees to engage, or engages in sexual conduct for a fee or solicits another in a public place to engage with him or her in sexual conduct for hire. An offense occurs whether the actor is to receive or pay a fee and whether the actor solicits a person to hire him or her or offers to hire the person solicited.
Is Prostitution a Felony in Texas?
People often ask, is prostitution a misdemeanor or a felony? Prostitution is generally charged as a Class B Misdemeanor in Texas. However, there are several enhancements in the Texas prostitution laws that can elevate the charges against you all the way up to a 1st Degree Felony.
Promoting Prostitution
A person commits promotion of prostitution if, acting other than as a prostitute receiving compensation for personally rendered prostitution services, he or she knowingly receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement to participate in the proceeds of prostitution or solicits another to engage in sexual conduct with another person for compensation.
Compelling Prostitution
A person can be charged with compelling prostitution if the person knowingly causes another by force, threat, or fraud to commit prostitution or causes by any means a child younger than 18 years old to commit prostitution, regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child at the time of the offense.
Defending Prostitution in Collin County, Texas
A conviction for prostitution not only results in criminal penalties, but it can also tarnish your good name and reputation among your family, friends, and your community. Arrests for prostitution almost always stem from undercover and deceptive actions taken by the police. Understanding how undercover prostitution investigations work and Texas prostitution laws is an important part of defending against prostitution charges. That is why it is imperative that you retain an experienced prostitution lawyer who will aggressively defend you, protect your legal rights, and your image.