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Prostitution Offenses

Prostitution offenses generally include the act of providing sexual services in exchange for money or other property. Individuals involved in prostitution are often arrested through various sting operations at or inside of hotels, motels, homes and vehicles. Florida law includes heavy fines and severe criminal penalties, including possible mandatory/minimum sentences of up to 25 years and maximum potential sentences of up to life. Mr. Petruzzi has represented numerous individuals charged with, or under investigation for, prostitution offenses by state authorities. His experience and knowledge serve as an invaluable asset to his clients.

To arrange for a free and confidential consultation with respect to any state prostitution offense, contact our office at (305) 330-3905. For complete details about Mr. Petruzzi’s background, expertise and experience, click here.

Florida prostitution offenses are investigated and prosecuted by various state and local law enforcement agencies. Some common Florida statutes criminalizing prostitution include:

796.07 Prohibiting prostitution, etc.; evidence; penalties; definitions.—

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Prostitution” means the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses.

(b) “Lewdness” means any indecent or obscene act.

(c) “Assignation” means the making of any appointment or engagement for prostitution or lewdness, or any act in furtherance of such appointment or engagement.

(d) “Sexual activity” means oral, anal or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; or the handling or fondling of the sexual organ of another for the purpose of masturbation; however, the term does not include acts done for bona fide medical purposes.

(2) It is unlawful:

(a) To own, establish, maintain or operate any place, structure, building or conveyance for the purpose of lewdness, assignation or prostitution.

(b) To offer, or to offer or agree to secure, another for the purpose of prostitution or for any other lewd or indecent act.

(c) To receive, or to offer or agree to receive, any person into any place, structure, building or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation, or to permit any person to remain there for such purpose.

(d) To direct, take or transport, or to offer or agree to direct, take or transport, any person to any place, structure, or building, or to any other person, with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that the purpose of such directing, taking or transporting is prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

(e) To offer to commit, or to commit, or to engage in, prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

(f) To solicit, induce, entice or procure another to commit prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

(g) To reside in, enter, or remain in, any place, structure, or building, or to enter or remain in any conveyance, for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

(h) To aid, abet or participate in any of the acts or things enumerated in this subsection.

(i) To purchase the services of any person engaged in prostitution.

(3) (a) In the trial of a person charged with a violation of this section, testimony concerning the reputation of any place, structure, building, or conveyance involved in the charge, testimony concerning the reputation of any person residing in, operating, or frequenting such place, structure, building, or conveyance, and testimony concerning the reputation of the defendant is admissible in evidence in support of the charge.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a police officer may testify as an offended party in an action regarding charges filed pursuant to this section.

(4) A person who violates any provision of this section commits:

(a) A misdemeanor of the second degree for a first violation, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) A misdemeanor of the first degree for a second violation, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s. 775.083.

(c) A felony of the third degree for a third or subsequent violation, punishable as provided in s.775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(5) A person who is charged with a third or subsequent violation of this section shall be offered admission to a pretrial intervention program or a substance abuse treatment program as provided in s. 948.08.

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