Prostitution in Minneapolis

Prostitution Lawyer In The Twin Cities

It is said that prostitution is one of the world’s oldest professions, but the act of exchanging sexual services for money or other goods is illegal in Minnesota and most of the United States. If you’re caught selling or procuring sexual services for cash, or you’re grooming women to enter the sex trade, you can face major penalties. You may feel that consenting adults should be able to buy or sell sex and have control over their bodies as they please, but the sex trade can be ripe with danger and exploitation, which is why the government cracks down on it quite seriously.

Whether you were lonely and seeking companionship or simply made a mistake in the heat of the moment, we want to be the firm to help sort out the charges and get your life back on track. We have connections within the community and can not only help you sort out the criminal charges, but we can connect you with resources to ensure you move on from the situation and become the person you aspire to be. Let our team guide you through the process and put a prostitution or solicitation charge behind you for good.

Being charged with crime is a very uncomfortable feeling, I felt embarrassed and didn’t know where to go for help. I had been referred to Appelman Law Firm by one of my best friends. He had a great experience using Avery for his legal assistance, and told me that Avery would put me back on the right track. Not only with legal advice but also life advice. Therefore I trusted him and used Avery without even looking any further. My friend also told me that I would see results from Appelman Law Firm, and that was very accurate. Avery put me at ease and stayed confident, trustworthy, and reliable throughout my entire case. Avery knows how to deliver and I would highly recommend that others reach out to Appelman Law Firm for their legal services.”

We’re confident we can help you sort out a prostitution or solicitation charge, and for more information about penalties, myths and defenses, keep reading below.

Minnesota Prostitution Penalties

Prostitution is an enhanceable offense, meaning that a base charge can be upgraded based on the specifics of the incident. In most instances, a run-of-the-mill prostitution charge will be considered a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. With that said, if the act takes place in a school zone or a public park, or the individual attempts to solicit a minor for sexual services, penalties can jump to a gross misdemeanor or felony offense.

Judges tend to give more favorable sentences to the women involved in the sex trade, especially when they show an interest in putting the mistake in the past, compared to men who engage in solicitation, but no matter the situation, you’ll want an experienced lawyer by your side to sort it all out. Aside from the criminal penalties, the stigma and fallout from a prostitution or solicitation charge can have major ramifications for your professional and personal life, and you’ll want a lawyer by your side to navigate the challenges you’ll face.

Prostitution Defenses In Minnesota

There are three primary options for defending a prostitution or solicitation charge in the state of Minnesota:

1. The Entrapment Defense: Entrapment occurs when a government official (such as a police officer) entices a person to commit a crime that they otherwise would not commit. Proving entrapment is often difficult in prostitution cases because offenders actively seek out prostitutes without knowing that they are undercover police officers. This makes it easy for the prosecution to argue that the offender’s act of prostitution was premeditated and not forced.
2. The Due Process Defense: This is a viable option when, during the course of a prostitution arrest, a government official displays outrageous conduct that would make continuation of the case unconstitutional. For example, if a police officer involved in a prostitution sting is caught engaging in sexual contact during said sting, the due process of law is violated. A judge will be left to determine whether the state acted in conduct that violated the due process rights of the accused.
3. The Lack of Probable Cause Defense: This may be used when a prostitution patron is arrested prior to an agreement to engage in prostitution. An officer must have probable cause to arrest someone for prostitution. This means an explicit offer to engage in sexual contact for hire must be reached and documented. If the prosecution cannot prove that such an agreement occurred, the defendant can use this defense. It will be left up to a judge to determine whether the state has a reasonable belief based on all facts and circumstances that the defendant has committed the act of prostitution. This also requires in-court testimony by the defendant.

There may be other potential defenses to explore, but this will be determined on a case-by-case basis after hearing from you and reviewing the facts. Connect with our legal team to set up a free case review today.