What constitutes prostitution in our state? As a tenacious criminal defense attorney could explain, under Section 609.321 of the Minnesota Statutes, this serious sex crime offense is defined as:
“Hiring, offering to hire, or agreeing to hire another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact, or being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to be hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.”
In general, the law defines “sexual penetration” and “sexual contact” quite broadly, and it’s important to remember that a sexual act need not occur in order to be guilty of prostitution. In other words, merely agreeing or offering to hire (or agreeing or offering to be hired) can result in a prostitution charge. A Mankato prostitution lawyer from our firm could help you understand your available legal options during a consultation meeting.
As our attorneys have seen, Southern Minnesota law enforcement is cracking down on prostitution, and numerous residents of Mankato, Rochester, New Ulm, St. Peter, and other surrounding Minnesota areas are being charged with serious criminal offenses. Sting operations are specifically targeting males who are soliciting young female prostitutes. As part of the prostitution stings, law enforcement officers are using the internet to their advantage, posing as prostitutes and arresting suspects.
Being arrested for prostitution or solicitation in Minnesota can be an embarrassing and life-altering experience. Given the recent emphasis on prostitution stings in southern Minnesota, it’s important to remember that the consequences of a prostitution arrest and conviction can be dire, ultimately impacting your ability to obtain gainful employment and leaving a felony offense on your record.
If you were arrested for prostitution or solicitation, it’s extremely important to contact an experienced prostitution arrest attorney about your case. Numerous defense strategies exist to win your case, and you will need experienced counsel on your side.
If you’re charged with prostitution, you can face serious criminal penalties, ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony offense. First-time offenders typically face a misdemeanor charge with a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. With each additional conviction, the level of the offense can increase, which results in steeper fines and jail time. If you are convicted, you will have to deal with serious and life-altering consequences, including but not limited to:
In addition to being unable to work in your chosen profession, as a skilled lawyer could explain, prostitution conviction can also make it extremely difficult to secure employment in Mankato. For these reasons, it is critical that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
A single prostitution conviction can radically harm your reputation and severely impact your future. If you were arrested in a prostitution sting and charged with a sex crime, it’s essential to have the best defense available. Get in touch with a Mankato prostitution lawyer immediately to begin clearing your name.
At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our dedicated solicitation attorneys have more than 30 combined years of experience assisting southern Minnesota residents who have been charged with criminal offenses, and we will advocate tirelessly on your behalf. Call us today or contact us online.
“This law firm is very experienced, very effective, and yet very personable when interacting with me throughout my nerve-wracking legal process. I’m completely satisfied with the outcome of my case. I would hire the Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office again without hesitation. And, I have since recommended them to several friends and acquaintances.”
– TOM W., CLIENT
