Minnesota Sex Trafficking and Prostitution Lawyer Explains the Basics
It may start out as a relatively innocent online conversation or maybe an advertisement that isn’t necessarily promoting sexual services. However, that ad, that conversation, may steer into something else completely different and before long, you may have crossed a legal line. Police departments in Minnesota have actively set up sting operations here in the Twin Cities and elsewhere in Minnesota to entice and then arrest so-called “Johns.” This is one of the reasons these kinds of cases are complicated and an extremely difficult type of Sex Crime.
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Prostitution and Sex Trafficking allegations can be particularly difficult charges to face. It is not just the fact that they are crimes that come with serious ramifications. Some charges can come with years in prison and even a lifetime registration as a sexual predator. Contemplate what that means? This could impact your profession, your personal life, housing and more. Even worse, it is the kind of the case the media and sometimes the police themselves like to promote. If you are facing Prostitution or Sex Trafficking charges, it is critical that you consult with an experienced Minnesota Sex Trafficking and Prostitution Lawyer. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation.
The young woman that you are talking to online may in fact be a middle aged male police officer. He can lie to you, tell you all sorts of things, lead you astray. He can even say that “she is 18” and then later “admit to being 14.” The difference is a felony and sexual predator registration and potentially prison and you won’t even see it coming.
So What is Prostitution?
Minnesota defines Prostitution as anyone who hires, offers to hire or agrees to hire another to engage in sexual contact or sexual penetration. What is critical here is that just an agreement to hire may be enough to be charged with prostitution. This may be true if it is a police sting operation and there was no actual person to hire in the first place.
What is Sex Trafficking?
Minnesota defines Sex Trafficking as anybody who induces somebody under the age of 18 into prostitution or promotes prostitution involving a minor. It can also includes inducing, promoting or profiting from other prostitution services. While this can happen across state lines, it is not required to fall under the Sex Trafficking statute.
Possible Penalties for Minnesota Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Convictions
Prostitution
For a Minnesota prostitution charge, if a person engages in prostitution with an individual who is 18 years or older and this is a first offense, a defendant could face the following:
Up to 90 days in jail
Up to a $1000 fine
A misdemeanor conviction
If a person has a previous prostitution conviction within the last two years and engages in prostitution with an individual who is 18 or older or if the crime is committed in a public place, a defendant could face the following:
Up to 1 year in jail
Up to a $3000 fine
A gross misdemeanor conviction
If a person engages in prostitution with an individual who is under the age of 18 but at least 16, they could face the following:
Up to 5 years in prison
Up to a $10,000 fine
A felony conviction
An additional criminal sexual conduct charge
If a person engages in prostitution with an individual who is under the age of 16 but at least 13, they could face the following:
Up to 10 years in prison
Up to a $20,000 fine
A felony conviction
An additional criminal sexual charge
If a person engages in prostitution with an individual who is under the age of 13, they could face the following:
Up to 20 years in prison
Up to a $40,000 fine
A felony conviction
An additional criminal sexual conduct charge
Sex Trafficking
Sex Trafficking is really about soliciting, promoting, and profiting from prostitution. These frequently apply to so-called pimps and madams but not always. While these kinds of charges can sometimes be charged out federally, this article will focus on Minnesota State charges. Minnesota is extraordinarily aggressive when it comes to these kinds of charges and has set up a Sex Crimes unit to focus on them. The have officers from multiple counties, Troopers and Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
For a Minnesota Sex Trafficking charge, if a person solicits or induces another person (usually an adult) into prostitution or promotes or profits from it, a defendant could face a Second Degree Sex Trafficking charge and the following:
Up to 15 years in prison
Up to a $40,000 fine
A felony conviction
For a Minnesota Sex Trafficking charge, if a person solicits or induces another person under the age of 18 into prostitution or promotes or profits from it, a defendant could face a First Degree Sex Trafficking charge and the following:
Up to 20 years in prison
Up to a $50,000 fine
A felony conviction
An additional criminal sexual conduct charge
If a person faces a new charge and has a previous human tracking conviction or involves a victim under 18 who suffered bodily harm, a defendant could face a First Degree Sex Trafficking charge and the following:
Up to 25 years in prison
Up to a $60,000 fine
A felony conviction
An additional criminal sexual conduct charge
If you get arrested by the police, they want you to talk, to admit. They will then trick you, lie to you, tell you they are there to help. They aren’t. They will then use every word against you. Instead, ask for your attorney and call Jack Rice Defense.
Additional Consequences for a Minnesota Sex Trafficking Conviction
Sexual Predator Registration
If you are convicted of sex tracking or prostitution involving anybody under the age of 18, there is a mandatory 10 year sexual predator registration requirement. If they are under 13, it is a lifetime registration requirement. This requirement comes with a whole slew of other limitations which can dramatically impact your life. It will, simply put, change everything.
Make Jack Rice Defense Your First Call.
For more on Sex Crimes including Sex Trafficking and Prostitution.
Sex Trafficking and Prostitution charges may have a catastrophic impact upon your life including the possibility of having to register as a sex offender. If you or a loved one are facing these kinds of sex charges, it is critical that you contact an experienced Minnesota Prostitution and Sex Trafficking lawyer immediately. Jack Rice is the Founder of Jack Rice Defense. He is a former U.S. Federal Agent, a former prosecutor, a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and a Child Pornography and Sex Crimes Lawyer. Call Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation at 651-447-7650 or fill out a secure and confidential consultation form and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.