CONTACT US AT 703.542.4500
What is Prostitution?
Virginia Code Section 18.2-346(A) defines prostitution as committing or offering to commit "sexual acts" for value and thereafter performing a "substantial act" in furtherance of that offer. Prostitution is a class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500.00 fine.
What is Solicitation of a Prostitute?
Virginia Code Section 18.2-346(B) essentially defines soliciting a prostitute as offering something of value for purposes of engaging in sexual acts and "thereafter doing a substantial act in furtherance" of that offer. Solicitation of a prostitute is a class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500.00 fine. In addition, upon conviction, the defendant is required to take a blood test.
Are There Any Potential Defenses to a Prostitution or Solicitation Charge?
There are several potential defenses a skilled defense attorney can raise when faced with a prostitution or solicitation of a prostitute charge in Virginia. Many of these defenses are fact-specific and generally require an in-depth consultation to determine which defenses may be applicable in your particular matter. A few potential defenses include (1) a potential entrapment defense, (2) a motion to suppress an illegal/improper arrest, or (3) holding the Commonwealth to their burden by arguing facts which raise reasonable doubt as to any of the elements necessary to for a conviction pursuant to the applicable statute.
What is a "Bawdy-Place" and What Charges Can Arise?
Virginia Code Section 18.2-347 forbids keeping or frequenting a "bawdy place", and defines such a place as one used for lewdness, assignation, or prostitution. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to keep, reside, or visit a "bawdy place" for criminal purposes.
To convict a keeper of a "Bawdy Place", the Commonwealth must prove that the owner/operator knew that the place was being used for immoral purposes. To convict a visitor or customer, it is sufficient to convict under this law by proving mere presence, so long as the defendant was present with the intent to engage in a commercial sexual encounter (e.g., solicitation of a prostitute).
So the owner of the property or the person running the "bawdy place" can be convicted upon knowledge that the house was a bawdy place. Whereas, in order to convict a visitor or customer, the prosecution must prove that the visitor or customer intended to engage in a commercial sexual encounter in a house that was in fact a bawdy place.
If the defendant is convicted as either a "keeper of a bawdy place" or as a customer/visitor of the bawdy place, the defendant faces a class 1 misdemeanor violation and a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500.00 fine.
What is Pandering and Pimping?
Virginia Code Section 18.2-356 criminalizes "Pandering", which is when a person receives money from a customer for obtaining a prostitute for the customer. A person could also be found guilty under this code section if they received money from the operator or owner of the "Bawdy Place" for recruiting the prostitute. Virginia Code Section 18.2-357 criminalizes "Pimping" which is when a person receives money or a commission from the earnings of a prostitute.
A violation of either of these code sections is a Class 4 Felony in Virginia. This means that the range of punishment for this offense is a term of imprisonment of a minimum of 2 years to a maximum of 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000.00. It is conceivable that a person could be convicted of both crimes if he was paid by both the customer and the prostitute.
What should I do if I am charged with with a Prostitution-Related Offense in Virginia?
Prostitution-related offenses are very serious offenses and will likely make getting a job, security clearance, and other goals far more difficult to accomplish. These offenses can ruin families and ruin your reputation in your community. It is critical that you have legal representation from the outset of the process.
Mr. Noorishad understands your concerns and the gravity that a prostitution-related charge may have in your life. While results will vary depending on the facts of each individual case, Mr. Noorishad has successfully represented adult and juvenile clients to acquittal or dismissal in multiple counties throughout Northern Virginia for charges such as Rape, Aggravated Sexual Battery, Prostitution-Related offenses and Object Sexual Penetration, among others. Mr. Noorishad's sex-related cases have been publicized by news outlets such as the Washington Post, ABC-7 News, WUSA-9 News, CBS-DC News, The Falls Church Patch, The Fairfax Times, The Falls Church Times, and The Falls Church News Press. If you are facing a sex-related offense, you need to contact an aggressive and reputable attorney to represent you. Please contact us either online or by phone at 703-542-4500 for a free initial consultation with Mr. Noorishad.
Virginia Code Section 18.2-346(A) defines prostitution as committing or offering to commit "sexual acts" for value and thereafter performing a "substantial act" in furtherance of that offer. Prostitution is a class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500.00 fine.
What is Solicitation of a Prostitute?
Virginia Code Section 18.2-346(B) essentially defines soliciting a prostitute as offering something of value for purposes of engaging in sexual acts and "thereafter doing a substantial act in furtherance" of that offer. Solicitation of a prostitute is a class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500.00 fine. In addition, upon conviction, the defendant is required to take a blood test.
Are There Any Potential Defenses to a Prostitution or Solicitation Charge?
There are several potential defenses a skilled defense attorney can raise when faced with a prostitution or solicitation of a prostitute charge in Virginia. Many of these defenses are fact-specific and generally require an in-depth consultation to determine which defenses may be applicable in your particular matter. A few potential defenses include (1) a potential entrapment defense, (2) a motion to suppress an illegal/improper arrest, or (3) holding the Commonwealth to their burden by arguing facts which raise reasonable doubt as to any of the elements necessary to for a conviction pursuant to the applicable statute.
What is a "Bawdy-Place" and What Charges Can Arise?
Virginia Code Section 18.2-347 forbids keeping or frequenting a "bawdy place", and defines such a place as one used for lewdness, assignation, or prostitution. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to keep, reside, or visit a "bawdy place" for criminal purposes.
To convict a keeper of a "Bawdy Place", the Commonwealth must prove that the owner/operator knew that the place was being used for immoral purposes. To convict a visitor or customer, it is sufficient to convict under this law by proving mere presence, so long as the defendant was present with the intent to engage in a commercial sexual encounter (e.g., solicitation of a prostitute).
So the owner of the property or the person running the "bawdy place" can be convicted upon knowledge that the house was a bawdy place. Whereas, in order to convict a visitor or customer, the prosecution must prove that the visitor or customer intended to engage in a commercial sexual encounter in a house that was in fact a bawdy place.
If the defendant is convicted as either a "keeper of a bawdy place" or as a customer/visitor of the bawdy place, the defendant faces a class 1 misdemeanor violation and a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500.00 fine.
What is Pandering and Pimping?
Virginia Code Section 18.2-356 criminalizes "Pandering", which is when a person receives money from a customer for obtaining a prostitute for the customer. A person could also be found guilty under this code section if they received money from the operator or owner of the "Bawdy Place" for recruiting the prostitute. Virginia Code Section 18.2-357 criminalizes "Pimping" which is when a person receives money or a commission from the earnings of a prostitute.
A violation of either of these code sections is a Class 4 Felony in Virginia. This means that the range of punishment for this offense is a term of imprisonment of a minimum of 2 years to a maximum of 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000.00. It is conceivable that a person could be convicted of both crimes if he was paid by both the customer and the prostitute.
What should I do if I am charged with with a Prostitution-Related Offense in Virginia?
Prostitution-related offenses are very serious offenses and will likely make getting a job, security clearance, and other goals far more difficult to accomplish. These offenses can ruin families and ruin your reputation in your community. It is critical that you have legal representation from the outset of the process.
Mr. Noorishad understands your concerns and the gravity that a prostitution-related charge may have in your life. While results will vary depending on the facts of each individual case, Mr. Noorishad has successfully represented adult and juvenile clients to acquittal or dismissal in multiple counties throughout Northern Virginia for charges such as Rape, Aggravated Sexual Battery, Prostitution-Related offenses and Object Sexual Penetration, among others. Mr. Noorishad's sex-related cases have been publicized by news outlets such as the Washington Post, ABC-7 News, WUSA-9 News, CBS-DC News, The Falls Church Patch, The Fairfax Times, The Falls Church Times, and The Falls Church News Press. If you are facing a sex-related offense, you need to contact an aggressive and reputable attorney to represent you. Please contact us either online or by phone at 703-542-4500 for a free initial consultation with Mr. Noorishad.
