New York Patronizing Prostitution

In New York State, it is a crime to patronize a prostitute. Patronizing a prostitute is paying a fee, per a prior agreement, to another person for having sex, or to ask a person to have sex in return for a fee. As each of our experienced Patronizing Prostitution Lawyers in our office understands that this and any other Sex Crime, including Promoting Prostitution, sodomy, child pornography, sex abuse, and rape are not only very serious but also potentially stigmatizing.

Such crimes are sometimes the focus of police sting operations and can involve internet solicitations, and clearly there are forcefully pursued by the office of the District Attorney in New York City, Westchester County, Suffolk County, and Nassau County. The charge of patronizing prostitution can range from a Misdemeanor to a Felony. While the gender of the individuals involved does not matter (the parties can be of the same gender, and the accused can be a female patronizing a male prostitute), the age of the prostitute involved will affect the seriousness of the charge.

In fact, your Criminal Lawyer will tell you that if the age of the prostitute will largely determine whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Patronizing Prostitution with a prostitute younger than 18, for example, is more serious crime than patronizing a prostitute who is an adult. And it is important to understand that if the prostitute involved is under the age of 17, pleading guilty to or being found guilty of the crime of Patronizing Prostitution will require you to register as a sex offender.

For this reason, it is important that you seek legal help and contact a New York Patronizing Prostitution Lawyer right away if you have been charged with this crime. At Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, we know that people who are defending themselves against a charge of Patronizing Prostitution can potentially use as part of their defense the fact that they were unaware of the age of the person involved. Learn more from our knowledgeable staff by calling 800.696.9529 to schedule a free initial meeting. We’re available to meet with you at any of our New York City offices—in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island—in Westchester County, or on Long Island in either Suffolk County or Nassau County.