Prostitution

Prostitution defense lawyers at Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, 10 Allen St #2Dreet, Toms River, NJ 08753, defend individuals in Lakewood, Jackson, Toms River, Berkeley, Manchester, Stafford, Barnegat, Brick, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor or another Ocean County town.

Charges for prostitution, promoting prostitution and loitering for purposes of engaging in prostitution arise more often in Ocean County that you might anticipate. There are a wide range of scenarios where a prostitution offense has been defended by our criminal attorneys in this context including solicitation from craigslist or backpage, offers to provide sex at massage parlors and the like. If you have been charged with prostitution in Toms River, Berkeley, Manchester, Point Pleasant Beach, Jackson or another area municipality, an attorney on our staff is highly equipped to represent you. We are Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, an eight lawyer criminal defense team that has been defending charges in Ocean County for a collective period of more than 100 years. Members of our staff are also former county and municipal prosecutors who have served in approximately 15 area municipalities. For an immediate free consultation, call (732) 286-6500.

Prostitution Offense in Ocean County

Prostitution is defined in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1 as “engaging in sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value”. In order to convict an individual of prostitution, the prosecutor must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that:

That there was an offer or acceptance of an offer;
That the offer or acceptance of the offer was to engage in sexual activity;
That it was in exchange for something of value; and
That the defendant’s conduct was purposeful.

“Sexual activity” means sexual intercourse, oral sex, masturbation, touching of the genitals, buttocks or breasts.

Promoting Prostitution Charges

An individual is also exposed to a conviction under 2C:34-1 if they promote prostitution. “Promoting prostitution” includes seven different varieties of conduct including: (1) operating a house of prostitution (a.k.a. brothel) or prostitution business; (2) recruiting an inmate to be a prostitute; (3) encouraging, inducing or other causing someone to engage in prostitution; (4) soliciting someone to be hire a prostitute; (5) procuring a prostitute for another person; (6) transporting a prostitute; or (7) knowingly leasing or providing facilities to conduct prostitution.

Loitering for the Purposes of Engaging in Prostitution

Another common charge related to prostitution is “loitering for purposes of engaging in prostitution”. The State is required to prove that the defendant “wandered, remained, or prowled” in a public place with the purpose of engaging in prostitution or promoting prostitution. The State is also required to show some conduct, committed by the defendant, that displays a purpose to engage in prostitution.

Grading & Penalties for Prostitution, Promoting Prostitution & Loitering to Engage in Prostitution

Section	Conduct Type	Grade	Max Fine	Incarceration
Various	Soliciting or engaging in prostitution.	Disorderly Persons	$1,000	Up to 6 Months
2C:34-1(b)(5)	Second or third conviction for prostitution; soliciting prostitution for another or procuring a prostitute for another.	Fourth Degree	$10,000	Up to 18 Months
2C:34-1(b)(5)2C:34-1(b)(6)	Compelling or promoting prostitution except soliciting prostitute or procuring a prostitute for another; fourth or subsequent prostitution conviction.	Third Degree	$15,000	Up to 5 Years
2C:34-1(b)(7)	Engaging in prostitution with a minor.	Second Degree	$150,000	5-10 Years
2C:34-1(b)(3)2C:34-1(b)(4)	Promoting Prostitution of a Minor; Promoting prostitution by a parent or guardian of a child	First Degree	$200,000	10-20 Years

Jackson NJ Prostitution Defense Attorney

A charge for promoting prostitution in Lakewood, Stafford, Barnegat, Brick, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor or another municipality is nothing to toy with given the penalties that are triggered if you plead or are found guilty. A impact of a prostitution charge also has the potential to materially effect your life. Choosing the right defense attorney can have a significant impact on the end result of your case in our view. The lawyers that make up our staff are seasoned criminal advocates that have handled too many case in Ocean County to even quantify. If you would like to speak to a highly knowledge lawyer at Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, contact our Toms River Office at (732) 286-6500.

What Clients Say About Our Ocean County Criminal Defense Attorneys

"Exemplary attorneys. I hired them for a DUI and an expungement. I was happy with the results for both cases. Special thank you to Samera for always answering all of my calls and questions"

"I'm 45 years old and this was my first time ever getting in trouble with the law. I was in need of a lawyer and after careful research, I called John F. Marshall Attorneys and was introduced to Abe Basch. Abe was professional, supportive and very thorough. I had three charges against me, one civil...

Rose C.

"I was out of state on a family emergency and I had to retain council asap as a boy friend was sitting in county jail with the new no bail point system and Mr marshal and staff made me feel Soo much better knowing that my detained loved one was in such great hands! He spoke to me as I was outta...

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