There have been many occasions where this blog has highlighted stories where Oregon residents have been accused of sex crimes. Most recently, we highlighted the case of an alleged internet sex ring that resulted in prostitution charges for 10 individuals. While Oregon residents may have heard the term prostitution on many occasions, they may not be aware of the legal realities of prostitution charges.
What is prostitution? Under section 167.007 of the Oregon Criminal Code, allegations of prostitution can result in a conviction on Class A misdemeanor charges. A person can be convicted of prostitution when the person exchanges money, or agrees to exchange money, in return for engaging in or promising to engage in sexual contact.
Oregon laws also make it illegal to patronize a prostitute. Under section 167.008 of the Oregon Code, if a person agrees to pay a fee to another person for sexual contact, that person can be convicted of patronizing a prostitute. Under the section, a person convicted of patronizing a prostitute can be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Sex crime charges can result in a variety of penalties for those accused. While people may not think that misdemeanor charges like these are very serious, they can result in fines and jail time. In these cases, prosecutors must have sufficient evidence to convict a person.
With the proper criminal defense strategy, those accused of sex crimes can see their charges reduced or eliminated. In every case, a variety of criminal defense strategies may be appropriate depending on the facts in the case. Therefore, this blog post can only offer general information about prostitution charges. An attorney, on the other hand, can offer specific legal advice about how to respond to misdemeanor sex crime charges.
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