In Michigan, Prostitution, Pandering, and Soliciting Sex are all considered to be sex crimes, and are against the law. However, while prostitution is punished as a crime, the related crimes of pandering and solicitation are considered to be far more serious, and are punished accordingly.
Because there is a growing awareness of human trafficking in today’s world, law enforcement is developing a better understanding of the fact that many people involved in prostitution are there against their will. As a result, much of legislation has changed in recent years in order to properly address this issue. Human trafficking is a huge problem in the US with an increased emphasis here in Michigan.
Prostitution
Prostitution is defined as the act of offering, performing, or consenting to sexual conduct for payment. In this light, the term ‘prostitute’ can refer to “streetwalkers”, paid escorts, sex workers in brothels, and “call-girls”.
It means anyone who is available, either voluntarily or against their will, for sex related acts in return for money.
Under Michigan law, prostitution is a misdemeanor, at least for the first and second offenses. This makes it distinct from many of it’s associated crimes, like Pandering, Sharing in the Earnings of a Prostitute, or Maintaining a House for Prostitution, which are all felonies.
It’s important to remember that Payment does not have to be given in the form of money. Payment could also include gifts, favors or any other form of compensation for services rendered. For more information on prostitution crimes in Michigan, including the various charges and penalties, please read this information.
Pandering
Pandering, which is more commonly known as “pimping“, refers to “the procuring of a female prostitute for another person.”
In essence, selling someone to someone else for sexual services. Pandering, unlike prostitution, is a felony in Michigan and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Pandering tends to cover a number of related crimes that pertain to the selling of people to third party customers for sex. These crimes include:
- Transporting a Female For Prostitution,
- Maintaining a House For Prostitution,
- Sharing in the Earnings of a Prostitute, and
- Enticing Someone to Commit Prostitution or Immoral Acts.
Although Michigan law does not specify that the pimping or pandering of male prostitutes is illegal the way it does for female prostitutes, the laws pertaining to solicitation are written to be gender-neutral. Therefore they could apply to either male or female prostitutes.
For more information on Pandering in Michigan, including various charges and penalties, please read this information.
Solicitation for Sex
Soliciting Sex refers to the act of seeking sexual services for hire. Approaching a prostitute on a street corner and offering to pay her for sex, or calling an escort agency and providing a credit card number in return for a prostitute who will be sent to your hotel room would both count as solicitation.
With this charge, both the “John,” which is a term that refers to the man seeking the sexual services, and the prostitute could both face charges. While a charge for engaging in prostitution usually requires that the sexual act has already taken place in order for a charge to be brought, solicitation charges do not require an exchange to have occurred.
Solicitation charges can be bought simply for someone making an arrangement to exchange sex for money, and then taking any other action to pursue this, like withdrawing money from an ATM. For more information on Soliciting Sex in Michigan, and the various charges and penalties, please read this information.
If you have been charged with a Sex Crime
Sex crimes are very serious charges, and are treated accordingly by the various prosecutor’s offices around the state of Michigan.
Not only can the penalties be very severe, in the form of fines and jail time, but being required to register as a sex offender can have a life-long impact.
This is why it’s critical that you have experienced, trusted criminal defense attorneys on your side if you have been charged with a sex crime. But a good attorney is only part of the battle. There are a number of things that YOU can do to ensure that your case has the best chance of being successful!
This include things like remaining silent during a police interview, choosing not to resist arrest, and hiring an attorney as quickly as possible. For a list of very important pointers that everyone should follow if they’ve been arrested for a sex crime, or even just interviewed by the police, please read this. It could make all of the difference to your case!
If you are facing sex crime charges, or a loved one is being accused of prostitution, pandering or any other sex related crime, call us immediately. The attorneys at The Kronzek Firm have decades of combined experience, and have navigated countless successful cases on behalf of their clients over the years. So don’t wait. Call us immediately at 866 766 5245! We can help.