Have you Been Charged with Pimping in Georgia?
Sexual crimes come with serious negative connotations. Often, people assume you are guilty before you even have a chance to speak. Our Georgia Pimping Attorneys at Lawson and Berry will never assume your guilt! We have over 50 combined years of criminal defense experience. We have successfully defended clients charged with sexual offenses and are prepared to assist with your case now. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our pimping lawyers in Georgia.
Georgia Pimping Laws
Prostitution and related crimes carry significant penalties and lasting consequences in Georgia. O.C.G.A. §16-6-11 outlines pimping in Georgia.
A person can be convicted of pimping if they perform any of the following acts:
(1) Offers or agrees to procure a prostitute for another;
(2) Offers or agrees to arrange a meeting of persons for the purpose of prostitution;
(3) Directs or transports another person to a place when he or she knows or should know that the direction or transportation is for the purpose of prostitution;
(4) Receives money or another thing of value from a prostitute, without lawful consideration, knowing it was earned in whole or in part from prostitution; or
(5) Aids or abets, counsels, or commands another in the commission of prostitution or aids or assists in prostitution where the proceeds or profits received are to be divided on a pro rata basis.
Georgia Case Law
In the case of Creighton v. State, a man was convicted of felony pimping. Creighton assisted a 14-year-old girl, T.S., by taking pictures of her and then they were used in ads placed on the internet. The advertisements sought people interested in sex for money. T.S. used Creighton's phone to take calls responding to the publication and Creighton would rent the room at a Motel which T.S. used to meet the people. Therefore, because T.S. was under 18 and Creighton aided or abetted T.S. in the commission of prostitution, he was convicted of felony pimping. 327 Ga. App. 825, (2014).
The Penalty for a Pimping Conviction in Georgia
A person convicted of pimping in Georgia will be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high or aggravated nature. The penalties imposed will depend on the specific circumstances of the case along with any prior criminal history. However, the punishment will likely include fines, jail time, community service, and the requirement to register with the Sex Offender Registry.
Pimping could be elevated to a felony conviction if the situation involved the participation of a person under 18 years of age. If the accomplices are under 16 years of age, the punishment will be 10-30 years in prison, a fine up to $100,000, or both. If the person is between 16 and 18 years old, then the punishment will be 5-20 years in prison, a fine between $2,500-$10,000, or both. O.C.G.A. §16-6-13
If the offense was committed within1,000 feet of any school building, school grounds, place of worship, or playground used by people under 17 years, then the offender will also be fined an additional $2,500.
Another implication of a pimping conviction is that they must register as a sex offender. The defendant will appear on the Georgia public offender database as well as the national sexual offender database. Sex offenders are prohibited from living near churches, schools, or other areas where minors congregate such as parks or pools.
Because of the seriousness of the potential consequences, it is critical that you hire a pimping attorney in Georgia immediately. We understand that
Defenses to Pimping in Georgia
Lack of Evidence: Your pimping attorney in Georgia will investigate every area of your case especially whether there is enough proof for you to be charged or convicted of the crime. If the State does not have enough evidence or the evidence was not lawfully obtained, then your case can get thrown out.
Prostitution was not the purpose of the meeting: Any evidence demonstrating that prostitution was not the reason for the meeting could result in your case being dismissed. Call to speak with one of our Georgia Pimping Attorneys if this applies to your situation.
I was unaware that the money or other consideration came from prostitution: If you received cash or another thing of value but were unaware that it came from payment of prostitution, that could be a defense. However, you will need a Georgia Pimping Lawyer to help with this argument because it may be difficult to prove.
What Does Not Constitute a Defense
The prostitute was not for me: Securing a prostitute for another is one of the ways a person can be guilty of pimping. The prostitute does not have to be for the accused.
I didn't exactly know they would going to engage in sexual activities: Under section (2) or (3) of the statute, arranging a meeting where it was highly likely the people would participate in prostitution is another way pimping can occur. If the accused should have known it would happen, then this is not a defense.
I didn't receive money: Under O.C.G.A. §16-6-11, the accused must receive something of value that was earning from the prostitution. It does not have to be money. It could be any other form of consideration that they knew came from the act.
Contact Us
The pimping lawyers in Georgia at Lawson and Barry will work to create a robust defense strategy in your case! You have rights and defenses available to you so call our Georgia Sex Crime Attorneys now, and we can discuss your situation. Every second counts when charged with a crime of this nature. Call now to speak with a Georgia pimping attorney.
