Ohio universally prohibits providing and soliciting sexual services of any kind in exchange for compensation—or, as it is phrased in the Ohio Revised Code, engaging in “sexual activity for hire.” Whatever the terminology, being accused of unlawfully acting as a prostitute can instantly change the course of your life, especially if it is the first time you have faced any sort of criminal allegation.
Fortunately, you have support from a seasoned defense attorney like myself who knows how to handle cases like this proactively and effectively. From constructing the strongest possible defense strategy to negotiating with law enforcement and court authorities on your behalf, as a Lancaster prostitution lawyer, I could provide irreplaceable assistance from start to finish of your legal proceedings. Call Andrew H. Stevenson, Attorney at Law, LLC, for more information.
Most charges of prostitution are filed under Ohio Revised Code § 2907.25, which defines the act of providing sexual services for compensation as a misdemeanor of the third degree. This carries a maximum sentence of a 60-day jail term and a $500 fine for a first-time offense.
Notably, soliciting payment from someone in exchange for sexual services is also considered a third-degree misdemeanor equivalent to actually providing such services, as is loitering in public with the intention of soliciting such an exchange.
Anyone who provides sexual services for hire after having tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has committed a third-degree felony, meaning that a conviction for even a first-time offense could carry maximum penalties of a $10,000 fine and a definite prison term ranging from nine to 36 months in length.
During a private initial consultation as your Lancaster prostitution attorney, I could answer questions about what sanctions may be associated with a particular charge based on a defendant’s criminal history.
To reiterate, providing sexual services or accepting money in exchange for such services is not necessary for someone to be arrested and convicted of prostitution in Ohio. The only legal requirements for this offense are knowledge and intent to act as a prostitute for compensation.
Effective defense strategies against charges of this nature often focus not on proving that no sexual activity occurred but on demonstrating that the defendant’s actions do not fulfill the legal definition of prostitution beyond a reasonable doubt.
For example, if someone engages in sexual activity with another person and then receives money from them for an unrelated reason, it may be possible to successfully argue in court that there is no causal link between the two accepted facts. Each case will be different, just like each defendant, so it is always worth discussing options with a prostitution defense lawyer in Lancaster, like myself, before committing to any single course of action.
An accusation of prostitution alone can severely damage your personal and professional reputation, to say nothing of how consequential an ensuing criminal conviction could be.
Fortunately, you still have rights as a defendant facing this kind of allegation, and effectively enforcing those could be vital to protecting your best interests now and well into the future.
Working closely with me, a Lancaster prostitution lawyer, will significantly improve your chances of securing a favorable case result and minimizing the long-term repercussions of your charge. Call Andrew H. Stevenson, Attorney at Law, LLC, today to schedule a confidential meeting.