Prostitution

How Much Experience Do The Attorneys At Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, Have Defending Against Prostitution Charges?

We have 60-plus combined years of experience defending persons accused of violating California Penal Code Section 647(b), commonly known as “prostitution.” Robert Ernenwein is a former Los Angeles County deputy district attorney and uses his specialized knowledge and experience to benefit our clients in their cases.

Mr. Ernenwein is a board-certified Criminal Law Expert and has been selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers for several years. We are experienced prostitution defense lawyers in Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Lomita and other South Bay cities.

How Serious Is A Conviction For Prostitution?

The act of prostitution can carry up to six months in county jail and up to $1,000 in fines. Prostitution is also “priorable,” which means a conviction for this crime can be used to enhance the penalty of a future criminal conviction.

What Must The Government Show To Prove That I Am Guilty Of Prostitution?

In order for a jury to find you guilty of prostitution, in violation of California Penal Code section 647(b), the prosecution must prove:

1. You willfully engaged in sexual intercourse or a lewd act with someone else
2. in exchange for money (or some other compensation)

A lewd act occurs when the defendant has touched the genitals, buttocks or female breast of either the prostitute or the customer with some part of the other person’s body. Further, the touching must be for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying either person. Someone does this willfully when he or she does it either willingly or on purpose.

What defenses can Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, attorneys use to protect me from a conviction?

One common defense against a prostitution charge is entrapment, the reason being is that persons accused of prostitution are often caught in sting operations or arrested by decoy police officers. To show that entrapment occurred, the defense must show that the police officer engaged in conduct that would cause an otherwise law-abiding person to commit prostitution. If the law enforcement officer badgered or used flattery to persuade you into committing prostitution or otherwise made some appeal to sympathy or friendship and you then committed the crime but otherwise would not have done so, we may be able to have your case dismissed via pretrial dismissal or acquittal at trial.

There may be search and seizure issues, such as the stopping of a vehicle or apprehension of a person without probable cause. Our prostitution defense attorneys can file and argue legal motions challenging the initial stop, thereby having the case dismissed because the evidence against you is excluded.

Why Choose Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, To Defend You Against A Prostitution Charge?

We are experienced Torrance criminal defense lawyers and will use any and all available defenses to protect you against a conviction. We have over 60 combined years of experience defending persons accused of prostitution and other crimes. Mr. Ernenwein will use his specialized knowledge and experience as a former Los Angeles deputy district attorney to benefit our clients in their cases.

Call us at 424-552-3901 or email us immediately for your free consultation.