It is a common scenario. Someone responded to an online ad. There is a little texting back and forth. The individual heads to a hotel. The person is told to head to a particular hotel room number. The person walks up to the door. The next thing they know there is a group of vice detectives snaring you, accusing you of prostitution. If this sounds even remotely familiar, you need help and our firm has proven success with these matters.
As a former prosecutor who has dealt with hundreds of solicitation cases in San Diego, there is no doubt that there has been a shift in how to handle a San Diego Solicitation case.
Why? In our profession, we must adapt our strategies to the changing the laws, and the negotiation stances of the prosecution. In this case, the leadership in San Diego has taken a zero-tolerance stance on solicitation. I added an article below that helps illustrate their stance.
Previously, there you angled a client to either get the case dismissed or have them be eligible for a diversion program. A diversion program is usually when you plea to the charge but it does not become official until a later date. A person then completes some tasks in the interim. If the person has stayed out of trouble and completed the tasks (such as Aids education, solicitation education, etc) then the case would be reduced (usually to disturbing the peace).
If you speak to an attorney who talks about this right off the bat, be careful, because the prosecution has changed their policies. Contact the Law Offices of Mark Deniz to get started at 858-751-4384.
Fire with fire
The prosecution has a zero-tolerance policy with no more diversion offers. Therefore, when taking on a case there has to be a strategy formed when the other side is going to not want to negotiate. So, what does someone do? Do you go in a plead? That answer is no. You want to come in and challenge the charge and put the prosecution to the task of proving a case.
Sometimes, the prosecution’s case has issues and yet they believe that due to the stigma and sensitivity of the charge that someone would not fight it. BS. You are your own first line of defense. Stand up for yourself and your rights and make the prosecution prove their case. The next step is an attorney who knows how to fight this kind of case. As a former prosecutor of almost ten years, I have handled this kind of case. My firm knows how to examine these charges and find arguments. Contact the Law Offices of Mark Deniz to get started at 858-751-4384.
A little about Prostitution & Solicitation here in San Diego County
Prostitution is alive and well here in San Diego. The people who used to head to Tijuana for this kind of service do not go there as much. This resulted in a demand here on the US side for folks to provide. This is a military town, a tourist town, and there is a demand. On the provider side, there can be money made. San Diego Police do enforce the laws and providers and customers can be seen having to go to court. They face a variety of charges. The charges can be serious but with some maneuvering they can be handled. As a former Deputy City Attorney & Deputy District Attorney, our firm can navigate you through the process. Call (858) 7512-4384 for a free consultation.
San Diego has one of the largest concentrations of escort providers in the United States. It is a service that has high demand when considering the population of the city, tourism, military presence, and the overall demand for such services.
San Diego also has a large number of massage & wellness parlors that are intended to help supply the demand.
The various law enforcement agencies of San Diego, usually through their “vice” divisions, carry out various stings.
In this modern world, the term “escort” and “services” can mean a number of things. It can range from a private dancer
to simple companionship. Massage & wellness has evolved over the years to include a variety of practices.
Law enforcement takes all these types of services and lumps them into one: Prostitution
We defend San Diego prostitution cases. We are especially skilled and experienced in defending Backpage, Craigslist, Eros, and MyRedBook cases. We know how to defend against massage parlor sting operations. You may be eligible for a diversion program that can prevent a conviction of prostitution charges. Mark Deniz has seen the other side as a prosecutor and can navigate someone through the process.
I take pride in knowing the majority of clients who get caught up in trial obtain a favorable resolution of their issue. You have done the internet search and see there are not many private attorneys who are well versed on the issue. Our firm is different.
The first step is to ensure the police can prove their case. When dealing with prostitution there is a fine line of what is and what is not legal. Can the prosecution prove BEYOND a reasonable doubt the elements of the crime. I was a prosecutor for almost 10 years and handled prostitution cases and jury trials.
If this sounds like what you need it is best to get started as soon as possible. Contact our firm now at 858-751-4384 for a free case evaluation.
The Most Common Prostitution Related Offenses Charged In San Diego
Agreeing to Engage in an Act of Prostitution
Penal Code section 647(b)Agreeing to a sexual act in exchange for money or something of value. The prosecution must prove that there was an agreement to a sexual act, that the defendant agreed to engage in that act, and that the defendant “did something to further the act of prostitution.” This means that an agreement to exchange sex for money is not enough to prove the charge, the prosecutor must prove that there was an additional act beyond the agreement that was in furtherance of committing an act of prostitution.
Escorting Without A Permit
If the police try to set you up for a prostitution charge but can’t do it, they may charge you with “escorting without a permit” which is a violation of a San Diego Municipal Code. They may also charge this along with a prostitution charge. Escorting without a permit is a misdemeanor that can carry up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
YOU CAN BEAT AN INTERNET BASED STING
The SDPD Vice unit’s latest tactic is to troll internet classifieds looking for escorts, and yes, law enforcement has figured out to look in the “therapeutic Services” section of Craigslist now that the “Adult Services” section is gone. Often these escorts, massage therapists, or dancers are from out of town and advertise that they are in town for the weekend. The police will lure an escort, massage therapist or dancer to a hotel, and then – no matter what happens, even if no illegal activity occurs – the person is arrested and soon finds herself in a room with dozens of others who fell into the same trap. If this or something similar happened to you, call us right away to obtain a San Diego attorney who knows how to defend these cases. As a former prosecutor I have handled hundreds of these cases. I have seen the cases that have issues. Even if you think you may have violated the law, we can help you fight this charge. We have experience successfully fighting these cases.
Call the Law Offices of Mark Deniz for a free case evaluation at 858-751-4384.
You need to examine the case to see if the government can prove its case. At the same time, we are working on obtaining a resolution for you to reduce your charges.
Call now.
