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Suffolk County Promoting Prostitution Defense

Being accused of soliciting a prostitute or being charged with prostitution can have a negative impact on your reputation in the short term but it can also carry negative impacts over the long term for various aspects of your life. Deprivation of your freedom and a destroyed reputation are just some of the negative consequences typically associated with a conviction of promoting prostitution. You need an aggressive prostitution defense attorney in Suffolk County who is dedicated to working as hard as possible on your behalf to help you fight off these charges effectively.

The right Suffolk County prostitution defense lawyer can help you when you’ve been accused of any sex crime.

What You Need to Know About New York Prostitution Charges

The New York penal law 230 outlines various prostitution charges. There are five primary categories for prostitution charges which all carry different levels of criminal grading, penalties and definitions. Prostitution is outlined under statute 230.00 and is a Class B misdemeanor. A prostitution defense lawyer in Suffolk County is a crucial asset for your future.

This refers to someone who is working as a prostitute and is accused of this crime. If you have been charged with prostituting in a school zone, this could be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor. Patronizing a prostitute is outlined under New York statute 230.04 through 230.07. This could be charged as a Class A misdemeanor or a Class E through D felony and this refers to someone who is purchasing a prostitute's services.

If the suspect is older than 18 at the time of the crime and prostitute was younger than 14, the charge is a Class E felony. Anyone accused of being with a prostitute younger than 11 years old faces a Class D felony charge. Promoting prostitution, which means the suspect is profiting from the crime, is another common charge assessed in New York that can be charged as a Class E through C felony or a Class A misdemeanor. This charge may also include allegations of distributing obscene material or coercing and intimidating victims aged 16 or older into prostitution.

A related charge of compelling prostitution is a Class B felony which refers to intimidating or forcing a victim younger than 16 into prostitution. A Class B misdemeanor charge of permitting prostitution may apply if someone knows that prostitution is taking place on their property but fails to take any reasonable measures to stop it. The fines and sentencing are based on the type of crime alleged. While felonies may lead to harsher consequences than misdemeanors, both can trigger long sentences and expensive fines. If you are found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, you could be fined up to $500 and spend three months in jail. Conviction of a Class a misdemeanor can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and a year in jail. All New York felonies can be fined as double the amount earned through committing the crime or $ 5000. The judge orders whichever of these fines is higher. The prison sentence for felonies in New York are as follows:

  • Class B felony: Up to 25 years
  • Class C felony: Probation, no jail and up to 15 years
  • Class D felony: Probation and jail up to 7 years
  • Probation or jail up to 4 years

In addition to restitution and jail, the majority of felony and misdemeanor convictions will also lead to the establishment of a criminal record that can be viewed by any potential or current employer, lending agency or landlord. Although former felons are protected from hiring discrimination, many people who have a criminal record will struggle to find employment or even be able to rent a place to live.

The appropriate defenses should be developed by your knowledgeable Suffolk County prostitution defense attorney as soon as possible. Waiting too long to get help from an experienced lawyer could comprise your case and decrease your chances of being able to minimize these charges or have them dismissed entirely. Don’t let your case get to trial without having a lawyer look into all of your options first. Take the care to find an attorney you can entrust with such a personal issue.

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I was in need of legal assistance for a very sensitive matter for a family member. I contacted the law offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC and was met with staff whose demeanor was supportive, compassionate and professional. The lawyer handling our case had many years of experience and treated us as if we were his own family. Our experience was so good, and we became so close to all of the staff and all of the attorneys who assisted us, that we consider them our extended family and continue to send them our home baked gifts for the holidays. P.A.K.
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