Criminal Defense Attorney Fighting Prostitution Charges In New Jersey
With more than 30 years of experience working in the criminal justice system, I have come to know and understand that people can succumb to their circumstances. I founded The Law Office of Jill R. Cohen to defend the rights of those people. I have helped countless individuals overcome prostitution charges and secure their right to privacy during legal proceedings in Camden County and the surrounding communities. If you or someone you know is facing a criminal charge of prostitution, promoting prostitution, or human trafficking in New Jersey, I can help. I aggressively defend my clients and do everything possible to build a defense strategy designed to help clients avoid jail time, monetary fines, probation and a permanent criminal charge on their records.
New Jersey Prostitution And Solicitation Crimes And Consequences
Prostitution crimes are among the most common sex crimes charged in New Jersey and can encompass a wide range of sexual exploitation. Prostitution charges may be levied when New Jersey law enforcement believes there was “an offer or acceptance to engage in sexual activity in exchange for money or property of economic value.”
Loitering For The Purpose Of Prostitution
It is illegal in New Jersey to wander, remain or prowl in a public place for the purpose of engaging in or promoting prostitution. A public place is defined as any place to which the public has access, such as streets, parking lots, sidewalks, parks, public libraries or a motor vehicle in any such place.
Disorderly Persons Offense
Additionally, a person could be charged with a disorderly persons offense if they engaged in conduct that could be seen as an attempt to engage in prostitution, such as approaching someone in a bar or hotel or repeatedly beckoning, stopping or attempting to stop pedestrians or motorists in a public place.
Promoting Prostitution In New Jersey
Under New Jersey law, promoting prostitution includes owning, managing or otherwise maintaining or keeping a house where prostitution occurs. Even just knowing or leasing a place to be regularly used for prostitution is considered promotion of prostitution, as is failing to make a reasonable effort to deter such use (by kicking out the tenant or notifying law enforcement authorities). It also includes encouraging or otherwise purposely causing another to become or remain a prostitute. In addition, transporting a person into or within the state for the purpose of engaging in prostitution can also be considered promoting prosecution.
Examples of those who could be convicted of promoting prostitution include:
- An individual who takes a portion of the prostitute’s earnings
- A hotel employee who arranges for a prostitute to visit a guest
- A landlord who rents a trailer or another residence to someone, knowing that the tenant will engage in or encourage prostitution
Additionally, if a person other than the prostitute or the prostitute’s dependent child is supported by money earned from prostitution, then that person can be charged with promoting prostitution.
The Involvement Of Minors And Children Who Are Exposed To Prostitution
When a child is involved or exposed to prostitution, additional charges like child abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child can be included. If a caregiver or parent is involved, a DCPP investigation could also be initiated.
Regardless of whether this is your first prostitution offense or a subsequent charge, if a minor is involved, you could be charged with a first-degree crime and face jail time of between 10 and 20 years. In New Jersey, there is no defense arguing that the defendant “mistakenly believed that the child was 18 years of age or over.”
Ensure An Aggressive Defense To Prostitution Charges And Sex Crime Allegations
I am one of the few lawyers in New Jersey who has been certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a criminal trial attorney. I am also a former Camden County assistant prosecutor. In that position, I worked closely with many prosecutors who routinely looked to convict people charged with prostitution. As your criminal defense attorney, I know how my former colleagues think and work and I will use that knowledge to fight tirelessly on your behalf.
A charge of prostitution in New Jersey can be a difficult and humiliating experience. When facing charges of prostitution or solicitation, consider a Camden County criminal lawyer with the experience and skills necessary to minimize the impact of sex crime charges.
Free Consultations And Case Evaluations For Sex Crime Accusations: Call Now.
I offer free case evaluations to consult with you about the charges you are facing. Call me today at 856-754-5501 or reach out through my online form to schedule yours today. I will put my decades of experience to work for you and help you fight the accusations against you.