The lawyers at Ashbach Law Offices, LLC provide aggressive, strong defense for those charged with Patronizing a Prostitute allegations throughout Skagit, Snohomish, King and Whatcom Counties. Our goal is to aggressively protect you, your family and your interests from the prosecution, saving jail time, licenses, occupations and reputations. With offices in Marysville and Mill Creek, Washington, we are available to meet you discuss your case. We help good people in bad situations. Let us help you.
General Considerations
There are three methods by which the Patronizing a Prostitute statute can be alleged to have been violated. All three are Simple Misdemeanors, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1000 fine. There is a mandatory 50-dollar fee upon any sort of conviction or diversionary agreement. Additionally, anyone convicted of a Patronizing a Prostitute charge is required to submit a biological sample for purposes of DNA identification.
Many courts also require a person convicted of this offense to have an HIV/AIDS test. Courts also routinely issue SOAP Orders (Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution), the alleged violation of which is a separate criminal offense. SOAP Orders are geographical in nature, but may relate to specified days and times. Being present at a restricted location during restricted hours triggers a possible arrest and criminal charge.
In addition to criminal penalties and civil issues is the real-world stigma that comes with such a charge and/or conviction.
Patronizing a Prostitute Methods of Charging
Patronizing a Prostitute can be alleged three ways by stating the person charged:
1) pursuant to a prior understanding, paid a fee to another person as payment for that person or a third person having engaged in sexual conduct with him or her, or
2) agreed to pay a fee to another person in exchange for that person’s agreement to engage in sexual conduct, or
3) solicited or requested another to engage in sexual conduct with him or her in exchange for a fee
Definitions
“Sexual conduct” means “sexual intercourse” or “sexual contact.”
“Sexual contact” means any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either party or a third party.
“Sexual intercourse” has its ordinary meaning.
RCW 9A.88.110 provides that a person is guilty of patronizing a prostitute if:
- a) Pursuant to a prior understanding, he or she pays a fee to another person as compensation for such person or a third person having engaged in sexual conduct with him or her; or
- b) He or she pays or agrees to pay a fee to another person pursuant to an understanding that in return therefor such person will engage in sexual conduct with him or her; or
- c) He or she solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual conduct with him or her in return for a fee.
Ashbach Law Offices, LLC, aggressively represents clients throughout the Washington I-5 corridor, covering Skagit, Snohomish, King and Whatcom Counties. Regular courts of practice include, but are not limited to, Anacortes, Arlington, Bellevue, Bellingham, Blaine, Burlington, Edmonds, Everett, Issaquah, Lynnwood, Marysville, Monroe, Mount Vernon, Mountlake Terrance, Redmond, Seattle, Sedro Woolley and Shoreline.