Prostitution Offenses
Under most circumstances, engaging in or promoting prostitution is classified as a disorderly persons offense. “Promoting prostitution” is defined as controlling or supervising a prostitution business, encouraging or causing another individual to become or remain a prostitute, soliciting a person to patronize a prostitute, or procuring a prostitute for a patron. A conviction for disorderly-persons prostitution is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If, however, you have a prior conviction for promoting or engaging in prostitution, the new offense becomes a 4th degree (indictable) crime, punishable by up to 18 months incarceration and a fine up to $10,000.
Prostitution also becomes a much more serious offense if a minor is involved. Under those circumstances, it is could either be a 2nd or 3rd degree felony. Second-degree prostitution is punishable by 5 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. Third-degree prostitution is punishable by 3 to 5 years imprisonment and a fine up to $15,000. Be advised that it is NOT a defense to mistakenly believe that the other person (prostitute) was over 18 years old – even if that mistaken belief was reasonable.
Loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution is also a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey. One can be convicted of this offense by wandering or remaining in a public place for the purpose of either engaging in or promoting prostitution. It is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Our firm’s representation includes advocating for either a diversionary program, such as PTI, or non-custodial probation. Other public indecency crimes in New Jersey include promoting or exhibiting obscene material, public communication of obscenity, and displaying obscene material. These acts range from petty disorderly persons offenses to 3rd degree felonies, depending on the particular offense and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. There can be many types of defenses available to these types of offenses. To be sure, our firm will investigate and aggressively pursue each and every such defense.
