Were you Charged with Compelling Prostitution in Columbus?
Compelling prostitution is a third degree felony criminal offense in the state of Ohio. If the person compelled into prostitution is between 16 and 18 years old, the charge can be enhanced to a felony of the second degree, and a first degree felony for those under 16 years old. Any felony offense is serious, but sex offenses in particular carry the weight of stigma that makes it difficult to move forward with life after a conviction.
Koffel Brininger Nesbitt’s team of Columbus sex crimes lawyers can help you if you are facing this type of charge. We are consistently listed in “Best Law Firms” for our region, we have attorneys listed in Best Lawyers®, and our founding attorney Brad Koffel has been named one of the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys” in Ohio by the NACDA.
For a free legal consultation with a prostitution lawyer serving Columbus, call 614-884-1100
Compelling Prostitution – Defined
2907.21 of the Ohio Revised Code defines compelling prostitution as knowingly doing one of the following five things –
- Compelling (by using force, fear, duress, or intimidation) someone to participate in sex for hire
- Facilitating a minor/person believed to be a minor to engage in sex for hire
- Paying or agreeing to pay a minor/person believed to be a minor to participate in hired sex
- Paying or agreeing to pay a minor/person believed to be a minor after they have participated in hired sex
- Allowing a minor/person believed to be a minor (whether you are the parent, guardian, or otherwise in control of the child) to engage in sex for hire
Columbus Prostitution Lawyer Near Me 614-884-1100
Penalties for Compelling Prostitution
According to 2929.14(b)(7) of the Ohio Revised Code, a sentence for a compelling prostitution conviction is –
- First degree felony prostitution: 5-10 years in prison
- Second or third degree felony prostitution: Not less than 3 years in prison
- Fourth or fifth degree felony prostitution: 12-18 months in prison
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