Tyler & WIlson, LLP PROFESSIONAL - PRACTICAL - PERSONAL
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| Arthur Khachatourians Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney 5455 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1925, Los Angeles, California 90036 Firm: (323) 655-7180 Direct: (818) 590-8294 Fax: (323) 655-7122 ak@tyler-law.com Mr. Khachatourians represents clients throughout Southern California (CA) including, but not limited to, the following courthouses: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Alhambra Courthouse, Airport Courthouse, Antelope Valley - Antonovich Courthouse, Bauchet - Central Arraignment Court, Bellflower Courthouse, Beverly Hills Courthouse, Burbank Courthouse, Chatsworth Courthouse, Compton Courthouse, Downey Courthouse, El Monte Courthouse, East Los Angeles Courthouse, Glendale Courthouse Felony and Misdemeanor, Hollywood Courthouse, Inglewood Courthouse, Long Beach Courthouse, Malibu Courthouse, Metropolitan Courthouse, Norwalk Courthouse, Pasadena Courthouse, Pomona Courthouse, San Fernando Courthouse, Santa Clarita Courthouse, Santa Monica Courthouse, Torrance Courthouse, Van Nuys Courthouse, West Covina Courthouse, West Los Angeles Courthouse, Whittier Courthouse, Lancaster Juvenile Courthouse, Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center, Delinquency & Dependency Court,Eastlake Juvenile Courthouse, Inglewood Juvenile Courthouse, Kenyon Juvenile Justice Center - Delinquency Court, Los Padrinos Juvenile Courthouse, Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse, Long Beach Juvenile and other criminal courthouses located in Orange County, San Bernardino, and Riverside. |
LOS ANGELES PROSTITUTION CHARGES - PENAL CODE SECTION 647(b)
Charges for Engaging in an Act of Prostitution in California
When the defendant is charged with engaging in an act of prostitution, the People must prove
that:
1. The defendant agreed to engage in an act of prostitution with someone else;
2. The defendant intended to engage in an act of prostitution with that person; and
3. In addition to agreeing, the defendant did something to further the commission of an act of prostitution.
When a prostitute and a customer engage in sexual intercourse or lewd acts, both of them can be charged for
engaging in an act of prostitution. A lewd act means touching the genitals, buttocks, or female breast of either
the prostitute or customer with some part of the other person's body for the purpose of sexual arousal or
gratification of either person. Someone commits an act willfully when he or she does it willingly or on
purpose.
Charges for Soliciting Another Person to Engage in Prostitution in California
When the defendant is charged with soliciting another person to engage in an act of
prostitution, the People must prove that:
1. The defendant requested that another person engage in an act of prostitution;
2. The defendant intended to engage in an act of prostitution with the other person; and
3. The other person received the communication containing the request.
Loitering: For Prostitution, California Penal Code §653.22(a)
When the defendant is charged with loitering with the intent to commit prostitution,the People must prove that:
1. The defendant delayed or lingered in a public place;
2. When the defendant did so, they did not have a lawful purpose for being there; and
3. When the defendant did so, they intended to commit prostitution.
As used here, a public place is an area open to the public. The intent to commit prostitution may be shown
by a person acting in a manner and under circumstances that openly demonstrate the intent to induce, entice,
or solicit prostitution or to procure someone else to commit prostitution. In deciding whether the defendant
acted with intent to commit prostitution, the jury may consider whether the Defendant:
Repeatedly beckoned to, stopped, engaged in conversations with, or attempted to stop or engage in
conversations with passersby in a way that indicated the solicitation of prostitution. Repeatedly stopped or
attempted to stop vehicles by hailing, waving, or gesturing, or engaged or attempted to engage drivers or
passengers in conversation, in a way that indicated the solicitation of prostitution. Circled an area in a vehicle
and repeatedly beckoned to, contacted, or attempted to contact or stop pedestrians or other motorists in a
way that indicated the solicitation of prostitution. Has engaged in any behavior indicative of prostitution
activity within the six months before their arrest in this case. Has been convicted of this crime or of any other
crime relating to or involving prostitution within five years of their arrest in this case.
Charges for Engaging in an Act of Prostitution in California
When the defendant is charged with engaging in an act of prostitution, the People must prove
that:
1. The defendant agreed to engage in an act of prostitution with someone else;
2. The defendant intended to engage in an act of prostitution with that person; and
3. In addition to agreeing, the defendant did something to further the commission of an act of prostitution.
When a prostitute and a customer engage in sexual intercourse or lewd acts, both of them can be charged for
engaging in an act of prostitution. A lewd act means touching the genitals, buttocks, or female breast of either
the prostitute or customer with some part of the other person's body for the purpose of sexual arousal or
gratification of either person. Someone commits an act willfully when he or she does it willingly or on
purpose.
Charges for Soliciting Another Person to Engage in Prostitution in California
When the defendant is charged with soliciting another person to engage in an act of
prostitution, the People must prove that:
1. The defendant requested that another person engage in an act of prostitution;
2. The defendant intended to engage in an act of prostitution with the other person; and
3. The other person received the communication containing the request.
Loitering: For Prostitution, California Penal Code §653.22(a)
When the defendant is charged with loitering with the intent to commit prostitution,the People must prove that:
1. The defendant delayed or lingered in a public place;
2. When the defendant did so, they did not have a lawful purpose for being there; and
3. When the defendant did so, they intended to commit prostitution.
As used here, a public place is an area open to the public. The intent to commit prostitution may be shown
by a person acting in a manner and under circumstances that openly demonstrate the intent to induce, entice,
or solicit prostitution or to procure someone else to commit prostitution. In deciding whether the defendant
acted with intent to commit prostitution, the jury may consider whether the Defendant:
Repeatedly beckoned to, stopped, engaged in conversations with, or attempted to stop or engage in
conversations with passersby in a way that indicated the solicitation of prostitution. Repeatedly stopped or
attempted to stop vehicles by hailing, waving, or gesturing, or engaged or attempted to engage drivers or
passengers in conversation, in a way that indicated the solicitation of prostitution. Circled an area in a vehicle
and repeatedly beckoned to, contacted, or attempted to contact or stop pedestrians or other motorists in a
way that indicated the solicitation of prostitution. Has engaged in any behavior indicative of prostitution
activity within the six months before their arrest in this case. Has been convicted of this crime or of any other
crime relating to or involving prostitution within five years of their arrest in this case.
| Sting Operations are very common in the cities of Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Van Nuys. A male police officer acts as a customer and befriends the alleged prostitute to engage in sex for money or a female officer poses as a street prostitute or a private escort to lure a man ("the John") to the "take down room." In California, both the alleged prostitute and the "John" are aggressively prosecuted for solicitation and intent to engage in prostitution. The alleged prostitute may also be charged with escorting without a license. Penalties can range from community service, county jail, probation, AIDS testing, fines, counseling, Cal Trans, and jail enhancements. Advertisements for erotic services, escorts, and massages, are routinely targeted by law enforcement. With the increase in Internet usage, law enforcement officers are routinely reviewing websites and erotic profiles. Escort websites that state "ROSES," "FLOWERS," "DONATION" or "KISSES" are NOT a defense but circumstantial evidence of your intent to engage in sex for money. If you have been arrested for solicitation or prostitution, call the law firm of Tyler & Wilson, LLP for a free Los Angeles Criminal Defense Consultation. |