In Weld County, Colorado, you will need a leading criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with Prostitution, C.R.S. 18-7-201 – exchanging sexual acts or intercourse for money or other goods. In El Paso County, Colorado, a massage parlor owner was recently found guilty of Prostitution one year after undercover police investigated her business by setting up an adult entertainment party. The massage parlor owner, Shirley King, had brought four women with her to the party for them to exchange sexual favors for money. When King, her boyfriend, and the four women arrived, a vice detective in attendance arrested King. She was charged and found guilty of Prostitution, Pimping, Keeping a Place of Prostitution, and Pandering.
Definition of Prostitution, C.R.S. 18-7-201 in Greeley and Severance, Colorado
Severance, Greeley, and Weld County as a whole define Prostitution, C.R.S. 18-7-201, as:
Simply put, Prostitution is charged when someone provides any kind of sexual act – not limited to intercourse – for money or an item of value (such as a car).
What Distinguishes Prostitution from Other Sex Crimes in Windsor and Severance, Colorado?
In Windsor and Severance, Colorado, Prostitution shares similarities with numerous other crimes. However, Prostitution is in and of itself distinct. Below is a table that outlines Prostitution and other similar charges:
| Similar Charge | Defining Factors |
| Prostitution, C.R.S. 18-7-201 | · Performing or offering sexual favors in exchange for monetary gain
· No victim(s) involved |
| Pandering, C.R.S. 18-7-203 | · Arranging for another person to engage in Prostitution, whether the person did so voluntarily or by coercion
· May involve victim(s) |
| Pandering of a Child, C.R.S. 18-7-403 | · Arranging for a child to engage in Prostitution
· Involves victim(s) |
| Keeping a Place of Prostitution, C.R.S. 18-7-204 | · Maintaining a location designed to encourage the practice of Prostitution
· May involve victim(s) |
| Patronizing a Prostitute, C.R.S. 18-7-205 | · Engaging in sexual relations with a prostitute
· May involve victim(s) |
| Pimping, C.R.S. 18-7-206 | · Receiving money by receiving all or a portion of earnings from one or more other people performing sexual favors for monetary gain
· May involve victim(s) |
The number of charges and their severity are determined by the level of involvement of the accused. Prostitution is only charged when a person offers for him or herself to engage in sexual acts or intercourse for monetary gain. If the person chooses to involve other people by offering them for sexual favors for money, they can be charged with one or more of the additional crimes above. Shirley King was convicted of Prostitution for offering to perform sexual favors herself, but she also incurred other charges such as Pimping for offering others to perform sexual favors.
Penalties for Prostitution in Weld County, Colorado
In Weld County, Prostitution is charged as a petty offense under C.R.S. 18-7-201. Compared to misdemeanor and felony crimes, Prostitution is less severe, and the maximum penalty is $300 in fines and 10 days in the Weld County Jail. However, this does not mean that it should be taken lightly or that you can fight a Prostitution case alone. Prostitution can be stacked on top of other charges, as with Shirley King in the above story. In addition, C.R.S. 18-7-201 designates Prostitution as a crime of moral turpitude, meaning that it is considered to be particularly offensive to society. This can have severe consequences for certain fields of work under C.R.S. 24-5-101 and immigration status for foreign nationals under 8 U.S.C. § 1227.
Why Hire an Experienced Prostitution Attorney in Weld County and Eaton, Colorado?
If you have been charged with Prostitution in Weld County and Eaton, Colorado, it is crucial to have an experienced criminal defense attorney who can examine each angle of your case and create solid strategies. Do not underestimate the gravity of the charges you are facing. On its own, Prostitution is a petty offense, but it can be charged alongside a number of other charges. If you are an immigrant, repercussions for Prostitution charges can be especially devastating. Because it is a crime of moral turpitude, you could face deportation if you are convicted.