Columbia Prostitution Lawyer

Being charged with or convicted of a crime in South Carolina, including prostitution, can disrupt every aspect of your personal and professional life. Moreover, prostitution and other related crimes may be deemed sex offenses, and you may be required to register as a sex offender upon conviction.

If you have been charged with prostitution, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side representing you. A knowledgeable Columbia prostitution lawyer can listen to your version of events and may be able to help you obtain a dismissal of your charge or a favorable plea deal with the prosecution.

Defining Prostitution in Columbia

Prostitution is a type of sex crime. “Sex crimes” is a very general term under South Carolina law and essentially refers to any charge involving sexual activity, including the following:

• Rape / Criminal Sexual Conduct
• Child sexual abuse / Criminal Solicitation of a minor
• Child molestation / Lewd Act
• Prostitution
• Indecent exposure
• Related sexual offenses

South Carolina defines prostitution as exchanging sex for money or other items of value and includes the following:

• Indecently exposing oneself for the purpose of prostitution or some other form of indecency.
• Residing in, entering, or remaining in any place, structure, building, vehicle, trailer, or conveyance, for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution.

Potential Penalties Upon Conviction

A prostitution conviction can subject a criminal defendant to a fine of up to $200, up to 30 days in jail, or both, for a first offense. These potential penalties increase to a fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both, for a second offense. The potential penalties for third and subsequent offenses may include a fine of up to $3,000, one or more years in prison, or both making it imperative that a Columbia prostitution attorney is contacted.

Lifelong Impacts of a Sex Crime Conviction

A sex crime conviction, including a prostitution conviction, can limit a person’s reputation, liberty, associations, and living arrangements. Additionally, as a Columbia prostitution attorney can tell those charged, these charges and convictions appear on a person’s criminal record and are available for viewing by the general public at any time.

Moreover, in this age of frequent criminal background checks and easy access to online information, a sex crime conviction can make it difficult – if not impossible – to find a decent place to life, obtain and keep a good job, or attend school at a college or university.

National and State Sex Offender Registries

A person who is convicted of a sex crime like prostitution – and in particular where the defendant is alleged to have promoted the prostitution of a child under the age of 18 – the defendant may be required to register as a sex offender on the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect.

This also requires that the defendant’s picture be posted online. Since this is a lifetime registry, the criminal defendant’s sex offender profile could remain online forever.

Contact a Columbia Prostitution Attorney Today for an Initial Consultation

Criminal defendants in prostitution cases should always consult with a lawyer before speaking with police officers or investigators about their cases or answering any questions. Anything that a criminal defendant says to a police officer or detective may potentially be used against the defendant in a negative way at trial or elsewhere during the proceedings.

If you have been charged with prostitution in South Carolina, a Columbia prostitution lawyer may be able to help. Call us today to learn more.