Prostitution

Offer To Commit Prostitution

Committing an act of prostitution, engaging in prostitution, or offering to commit prostitution is typically a misdemeanor offense in the state of Florida. Prostitution means the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire. A first offense is a Second Degree Misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail. A second offense is a First Degree Misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. A third or subsequent offense can be charged as a Third Degree Felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Palm Beach County offers diversion programs for people charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution. The specially designed program is called the Prostitution Relocation and Enforcement Program (P.R.E.P.). This program includes drug counseling, STD testing, health education classes, and a requirement to stay outside of the mapped area in which the arrest occurred. If the person successfully completes this program, the criminal charges are dismissed.

Solicitation Of Prostitution

Soliciting, inducing, enticing, or procuring another person to commit prostitution is a crime in the state of Florida. Often, a person is arrested for solicitation of prostitution in undercover sting operations that are conducted by law enforcement officers. Typically, officers will pose as prostitutes in an undercover capacity and they will make arrests when a person offers them money in exchange for engaging in a sexual act. Sometimes, these undercover operations are recorded via audio or video surveillance and other times, they are not.

A first offense of Soliciting Another to Commit Prostitution is a Second Degree Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail. A second offense is a First Degree Misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. A third or subsequent offense can be charged as a Third Degree Felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Palm Beach County does offer diversion programs for people charged with Soliciting Another to Commit Prostitution. The Prostitution Impact Prevention Education (P.I.P.E.) Program is a program specifically designed for those charged with Soliciting Another to Commit Prostitution. This program includes STD testing, health education classes, and a requirement to stay outside of the mapped area in which the arrest occurred. If the person successfully completes this program, the charges are dropped.