Prostitution

The legal definition of prostitution in Sandy Springs, Georgia covers more than just the classic meaning. While the act of trading sex for money is, of course, illegal, the law in Sandy Springs expands the illegal activity to cover any action that aids, abets, or forces others into prostitution. Furthermore, depending upon the specific facts of the case, prostitution can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

A dedicated and skilled attorney could represent you in court for any kind of prostitution-related charge levied by the state of Georgia, working to achieve a positive outcome in your case and protect your reputation in your community. Contact a Sandy Springs prostitution lawyer today.

Georgia Code 16-6-9 is the state statute dealing with the classic definition of prostitution. It defines prostitution as an exchange of sex, or any sex act, for anything of value. In addition, the mere offering of this exchange is illegal.

Other statutes name additional activities related to prostitution that are illegal in Sandy Springs. They include:

• Georgia Code 16-6-10: Maintaining any location for the purpose of aiding prostitution
• Georgia Code 16-6-11: Serving as a pimp to aid in the commission of prostitution
• Georgia Code 16-6-12: Hiring a prostitute or arranging for an exchange to be made

Thanks to these statutes, the legal definition of prostitution in Sandy Springs extends far beyond potential punishments for the person selling sex. It includes all people involved in the exchange, even those who do not commit or receive the sex acts. Speak with a Sandy Springs prostitution lawyer to learn more about how the court system defines prostitution.

Perhaps counterintuitively, Georgia punishes the classic definition of prostitution the most leniently among all related offenses. Prostitution is considered a misdemeanor, which means that according to Georgia Code 17-10-3, a conviction is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

However, aggravating factors may make the potential punishments worse. For example, if the offense was committed within 1,000 feet of a school, playground, or place of worship, the fine can be increased to $2,500. More serious are convictions for pandering, pimping, or abetting prostitution. These are treated as misdemeanors of a “high and aggravated” nature, increasing the potential fine to $5,000. The most serious charges involve a situation where a person is pandering or pimping a person under the age of 18. A conviction on this specific charge is always a felony and carries a minimum prison sentence of five years.

Prostitution is also a prime example of a case where a person’s property may be seized using the doctrine of civil forfeiture. The prosecutor may argue that the car—or even the house or building—where the incident took place was property used to aid in the commission of a crime. It is extremely difficult, but not impossible, to successfully contest a civil forfeiture case. Contact a Sandy Springs prostitution lawyer for more information about how prostitution is punished.

Any allegation that a person has committed a crime is a serious matter. Even in misdemeanor cases where the maximum penalty is a short jail sentence or a fine, a conviction can still change a person’s life, since that person would then have a criminal record that could bar them from certain jobs and housing opportunities.

Additionally, a person’s reputation in the community may suffer, either as the person selling sex or as the person buying it. With knowledgeable tactics and hard work, though, a Sandy Springs prostitution lawyer may be able to prevent that from happening.

The stakes are high in any prostitution case, so do not hesitate to get the help you need with yours. Contact a prostitution attorney in Sandy Springs today.