Orange County (714) 676-5451 | Los Angeles (213) 290-5451

Whether you are a "John" (customer) or a provider (escort), California law makes it illegal to solicit, pander, loiter or engage in the act of prostitution. The criminal charges range from misdemeanors to felonies in the State of California and the penalties are quite severe.

• Solicitation: Under California Penal Code §647(b), Solicitation (or Solicitation for Prostitution) is the act of directing or asking someone to exchange money for sexual activity.
• Prostitution: Under California Penal Code §653.20(a),Prostitution is the act of exchanging sexual activity for money.
• Pandering: Under California Penal Code §266(i), Pandering is best known as the crime committed by a "pimp". Pandering includes the following:
  • Recruiting prostitutes for hire
  • Soliciting customers for a prostitute
• Loitering: Under California Penal Code §653.22, Loitering is the act of lingering on public property without a lawful purpose. When loitering is for the purpose of Soliciting Prostitution, it constitutes a more serious crime, punishable by California law.

PROSTITUTION PENALTIES

The penalties and consequences for these types of sexual offenses can be serious and include:

• Jail
• Probation
• Fines & Fees
• AIDS Testing
• Community Service
• Cal Trans (community service)
• Registration as a sex offender
• Public humiliation
• Loss of employment

Other factors that may affect your case:

• Prior criminal history
• Prior convictions
• Probation/parole

Because your best defense against a charge of solicitation, prostitution, pandering or loitering is obtaining a skilled and experience criminal defense attorney, contact The Law Office of Jimmy Cha to discuss the facts of your case, potential defenses, and what other alternatives are available to your independent case.