If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime related to prostitution, it's tempting to simply plead guilty to the charges in order to avoid jail time or embarrassment. Unfortunately, pleading guilty means you will never be able to seal the conviction and will have a permanent record. Here at Sawyer Legal Group, our best criminal defense attorneys understand these charges are often the result of police stings and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fight to protect your future if you or a loved one has been accused of, or charged with, a prostitution-related crime in Denver, Arapahoe, or Jefferson County, Colorado.
Pleading guilty means you won't ever be able to seal the conviction – contact a lawyer to fight the charges against you.
Prostitution-Related Crimes in Colorado
Prostitution
C.R.S. 18-7-201
A person will be charged with prostitution if they agree to perform a sexual act with another person not his or her spouse, in exchange for money or another thing of value. Prostitution is charged as a petty offense in Colorado.
Pandering
C.R.S. 18-7-203
A person will be charged with pandering if they induce another person (using intimidation or menacing) or knowingly arrange a situation for a person to commit prostitution. Pandering is charged as either a class 2 misdemeanor or a class 5 felony.
Pimping
C.R.S. 18-7-206
A person will be charged with pimping if they are supported either in whole or in part by money or any other thing of value which is earned through the act of Prostitution. Pimping is charged as a class 3 felony in Douglas, Arapahoe, and El Paso County.
Soliciting for Prostitution
C.R.S. 18-7-202
A person will be charged with solicitation in Colorado if they solicit sexual acts from another person, arranges a meeting or directs another person to a place for the purpose of prostitution. Soliciting for prostitution is charged as a petty offense.
Patronizing a Prostitute
C.R.S. 18-7-205
A person will be charged with patronizing a prostitute if they engage in sexual acts (or enter a place with this intent) with a prostitute. This crime is a petty offense in Colorado, but additional penalties can be added if one person is infected with AIDS.
What are the Consequences of a Prostitution Conviction?
The consequences for prostitution related crimes in Colorado depends on the circumstances of each individual case. Some prostitution crimes are charged as petty offenses, while others can carry harsher consequences. Whatever the situation, it is important to fight the charges against you. A prostitution related conviction won't look good on your record, and could result in difficulty finding a job or housing. Here is a simple table so you can see the consequences for each conviction:
Crime |
Classification |
Possible Sentence |
| Prostitution | Petty Offense | Up to 10 Days in Jail |
| Soliciting a Prostitute | Petty Offense | Up to 10 Days in Jail |
| Patronizing a Prostitute | Petty Offense | Up to 10 Days in Jail |
| Pandering | Class 2 Misdemeanor or Class 5 Felony |
Up to 4 Months in Jail or 1 – 3 Years in Prison |
| Pimping | Class 3 Felony | 4 – 12 Years in Prison |
Are Prostitution – Related Crimes Sex Offenses?
Prostitution, Solicitation, Patronizing a Prostitute, Pandering, and Pimping are not considered sexual offenses in the state of Colorado. But, if a person has sexual acts with a person under the age of 18, it is charged as Patronizing a Prostituted Child – C.R.S. 18-7-406. This crime is considered to be a sex offense, and is subject to indeterminate sentencing.
If you've been charged with a Prostitution-related crime, contact one of our experienced lawyers to begin your defense.
Sting Operations: Common for Prostitution – Related Crimes
Sting operations are common for Prostitution related crimes. The police in cities like Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood, Colorado, often run these sting operations to catch people at the moment the crime is committed – or even before it is committed. Stages are set, and the police lie in wait, ready to arrest anyone who takes the bait. There are many different scenarios, but a common one is for a female police officer to pretend to be a prostitute. When unsuspecting “Johns” (code-name for people soliciting for prostitution) approach the undercover officer, they are arrested and charged with soliciting for prostitution or patronizing a prostitute. The undercover cop is usually wearing a wire or video (body camera), and everything that is said is recorded. There can be misunderstandings and false arrests, so it is important to contact one of our skilled criminal defense lawyers to examine your case. Entrapment is a viable affirmative defense to charges as a result of sting operations – talk to a knowledgeable criminal lawyer to learn if it applies in your case.
Why You Need an Aggressive Prostitution Defense Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been charged with a prostitution related crime, don't hesitate to contact one of the best criminal defense lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC. Ignoring the charges against you won't help. You need to take the offensive and fight against overblown charges. The experienced criminal attorneys at our office have decades of combined experience, and we focus on helping people who have been charged with prostitution crimes or sex offenses. We work hard to get the charges against you dismissed or get an acquittal or a “not guilty” verdict at trial. There is a stigma with prostitution related crimes. Don't stand alone in the courtroom – work with an aggressive advocate who will defend your future in court.