Oklahoma has a number of laws on the books that cover various aspects of prostitution. It is still a crime in most jurisdictions, including Okmulgee. And although we may want to believe prostitution is a victimless crime, if you are convicted, you could go to jail in Oklahoma.
Sex in exchange for money is illegal.
Prostitution in Oklahoma Defined
Prostitution is defined as an exchange of a sexual contact for money or anything else of value with a person who is not your spouse. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1030. Solicitation of prostitution is the setting up of such an appointment or the bargaining over the exchange in such an appointment. This is aiding or abetting someone in the act of engaging in prostitution. This is what a “pimp” is usually convicted of. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1029.
In addition, Oklahoma laws prohibit all persons from loitering or entering a car or building with the intent of committing an act of prostitution. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1029. Here the laws imply the crime from the surrounding circumstances.
The law also prohibits all acts of prostitution with any child younger than 18. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1029.
Keeping someone engaged in the crime is also illegal. This is done sometimes to have a woman pay off a debt. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1085.
And all human trafficking for prostitution purposes is illegal. In fact, the law contains a presumption that any 16- or 17-year-old engaged in prostitution has been coerced into doing so in violation of Oklahoma human trafficking laws. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1029. A conviction of human trafficking is a felony punishable by a prison term of five years to life, a fine of up to $100,000, or both. If the person trafficked is under 18, the felony is punishable by 15 years to life in prison, a fine up to $250,000, or both.
If convicted, you must serve 85% of your prison term before becoming eligible for parole. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 748.
Pimping and pandering are specifically prohibited. The law defines pandering as procuring people for prostitution via promises, threats, violence or other means to cause, induce, persuade or encourage them to become a prostitute, or who brings in such a person from another state to become a prostitute. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1081. The crime is a felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison, and fines that escalate with each conviction.
Oklahoma statutes punish the prostitute, the pimp, the panderer, and the “john.”
Penalties for Prostitution in Okmulgee
While much of the time prostitution is considered to be a misdemeanor, there are situations in which it is a felony.
As a misdemeanor, the crime is punishable by a jail term of 30 days to one year in the county jail in addition to fines that escalate with each conviction, from $2,500 to $7,500. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1031.
Pandering is a felony. So is engaging in prostitution with the knowledge that you are HIV-positive. You could face up to five years in prison if convicted. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1031. Engaging in child prostitution is also a felony punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years and by fines from $5,000 to $15,000.
Prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church or school is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, fines up to $5,000 for a first conviction, or both. Fines escalate with each conviction. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1031.
Courts may also impose community service hours for prostitution offenses.
If you are facing charges for violation of these laws, be sure to hire an experienced Okmulgee criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights and your freedom.
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