What You Should Do If You Are Arrested for Prostitution in a Massage Parlor

The police are cracking down hard on massage parlors they think are secretly offering sex for money. These crackdowns are called sting operations, where they pretend to be regular customers, go in, look around, and get a feel for what’s going on.

If they believe illegal activity is happening, maybe people are being paid for sex, they come back later in full force and start arresting people.

However, they don’t just arrest the owners or employees. They arrest everyone they think might be involved, even the customers. That’s how regular people, including ones who didn’t even do anything illegal, can suddenly find themselves in trouble. If you are facing prostitution charges, you need to act fast.

Police do these stings to try and stop things like human trafficking, drug rings, and minors being forced into sex work. But because of the way they run these operations, innocent people sometimes get caught up in it all.

What You Should Do If You’re Ever Arrested for Prostitution in a Massage Parlor

Here’s what you should do if you ever get arrested in a massage parlor:

Get legal help immediately

One of the most important things to do after an arrest like this is to call a skilled criminal defense attorney who specializes in sex crimes. You might feel like you can handle this on your own, but the legal system is tricky, especially when it comes to charges like solicitation of prostitution.

A defense attorney will help you understand your rights, explain the charges against you, and guide you through the entire legal process.

Even if you were only joking, or didn’t actually intend to go through with the offer, prosecutors will still have to prove that you had the specific intent to commit the crime.

An attorney will know how to defend you, whether it’s showing that you were mistakenly arrested or pointing out flaws in the police investigation. They will work on your behalf to reduce or drop the charges entirely.

Understand the charges against you

The next step is understanding exactly what you’re being charged with. If you’re arrested for visiting a massage parlor where prostitution is taking place, you could be facing charges for solicitation of prostitution. This is a misdemeanor, but the consequences are serious. You could be looking at:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Fines up to $1,000

If you’re convicted, you might not automatically have to register as a sex offender, but the judge can order that you do so, depending on the case details.

Here’s how the law works:

• Soliciting prostitution: This means you asked someone to engage in sex or a lewd act in exchange for money.
• Pimping/pandering: If you own or operate a massage parlor involved in prostitution, you could be charged with pimping or pandering, which is much more serious and can carry more severe penalties.

Cooperate, but protect your rights

While it’s important to be cooperative with law enforcement, remember that you have the right to remain silent. If you haven’t already spoken to an attorney, don’t answer any questions about the situation without one present.

Anything you say could be used against you, so it’s always best to consult with your lawyer first. Never admit guilt or offer unnecessary information that could hurt your case.

Don’t ignore the situation or be nonchalant

Being arrested for prostitution-related crimes is no small matter, and it’s important not to ignore the charges or hope they’ll go away. You have the right to a defense, and if you want the best possible outcome, you need to take immediate action. The quicker you contact an attorney, the better your chances are for resolving the situation without long-term consequences.