Columbus Prostitution Defense Lawyer
Facing Prostitution Charges in Ohio?
Prostitution is illegal in the state of Ohio whether it is between heterosexuals or homosexuals. It is common for law enforcement to set up sting operations in hopes of catching the violators and bringing them to justice. It is against the law to engage in the sex act in exchange for money, solicit sex, or ask another to engage in sex for money. That includes the prostitute and the client or "John" since both are breaking the law. It is unlawful to maintain, manage or service brothels or prostitution activities in the state.
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction
A person convicted of a sex crime may have to registers as a sex offender and that entails the loss of privacy and certain freedoms. Just an accusation for a sex offense can tarnish a reputation and ruin business and personal relationships. Promoting prostitution or "pimping" is a felony of the 4th degree and a sentence can mean 6-18 months in prison and/or up to $5,000 in fines. Promotion of a minor is a felony in the 3rd degree with a sentence of 1-5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Engaging in prostitution or sex for hire is a felony in the 3rd degree with a possible prison sentence of 1-5 years and/or fines up to $10,000. Prostitution with a minor at least 16 years old but under age 18 years can mean 2-8 years in prison and/or up to $15,000 in fines. Money for sex with a minor less than 16 years of age is a felony in the 1st degree with a sentence of 3-10 years in prison and fines up to $20,000. It does not matter if the offender thought the minor was an adult.
Criminal Record: The Impact on Penalties
If convicted of engaging in prostitution, you will have a criminal record. It would be in your best interests to seek legal advice from one of our Columbus criminal defense lawyers. We are able to defend many sex crime cases and have successfully had charges lessened or dropped altogether. As many prostitution arrests are part of sting operations, entrapment could be involved. The details of your case should be reviewed immediately. Contact our professional legal team for assistance.
The Meranda Law Firm LTD is discreet and ready to help you with your personal legal matter. Contact us today!
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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Zach is incredibly professional and will work as hard as he can for you, no matter how big or small your case is. He shows genuine concern and interest in his client and the situation. He is straight forward and honest. Zach was the third attorney on my case and the only one that actually took the time to become familiar with my case. He was not intimidated as my previous attorneys were and his competency resulted in my case ending in a very satisfying outcome.- Rylan Burrie
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Mr. Meranda does his research! He is very professional and promotes himself and law firm in a great manner. He digs to find the facts and will work hard for you. He makes sure you understand what you are facing and will try to come to the best outcome possible. He is easy to talk to and he tells you “like it is.” He is an upfront, affordable lawyer. I highly recommend The Meranda Law Firm to anyone who is seeking help.- Anonymous
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Zach is a great attorney. He has represented me twice and both times I got positive results. If you need an attorney call The Meranda Law Firm, he's the best.- Frances Benson
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A criminal case can be very stressful. The Meranda Law Firm can help you with this process. Zack is there to make sure that you get the best personal one on one help you can get. So you don't get pushed around in the system. Takes all the worry out of your case. Very down to earth guy. Easy to talk too. Without Zack I don't know where I would be right now. Thanks Zack; can't tell you how much I appreciate the help you gave me. If you are looking for a lawyer that can take the stress out of your case Zack is your guy- Jeff w
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I couldn't have asked for a better attorney. I've had other attorneys and Zach is the only one that actually knew my case and put a lot of time and effort into making sure the outcome was good, which it definitely was. I really think he is one of the best attorneys & I highly recommend him to anyone that needs legal help.- Payton R
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Zach did a great job representing me. He worked hard to take care of me in my case. If I ever need a lawyer again, I'll definitely give him a call first.- Rod
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I have nothing but good things to say about Meranda Law Firm, more so Zack. He was a very professional attorney. Made sure that I knew what was going on and that I understood everything. He seemed to be very involved in the case doing what he could to get the best results. Most importantly Zach always made me feel comfortable and was very good about communicating with me. I would recommend The Meranda Law Firm to anyone needing legal advice or any legal help.- Alexandria Trejo
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I could not have asked for a better attorney than Mr. Meranda. He was very professional and yet made sure that I was comfortable and understood everything about my case. I am so grateful to have been referred to his office! I highly recommend his office as his rates are affordable, he is very honest, and he is very knowledgeable.- Anonymous
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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Should I be worried if I am innocent?The short answer to this question is yes. Our legal system, though endowed with powerful rights and time-tested procedures, is far from perfect. Proclaiming yourself innocent is far from a legal defense, and you will need the assistance of an experienced attorney to gather information and refute evidence. It is a sad fact that innocent people are sometimes convicted of crimes they did not commit. If you have been arrested, a team member from The Meranda Law Firm LTD, serving both Columbus and Newark, can go to immediate work on constructing a strong defense and on seeking to have unfounded charges dropped.
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What important legal rights am I entitled to?If you find yourself crossways with the law, you have important rights that must be protected. First, you have the right to be informed of your rights by police should you be arrested. You have the right to remain silent, which can help you avoid self-incrimination. You also have the right to avoid subjection to an unreasonable search and seizure. Perhaps most importantly is your right to an attorney, and should you face criminal investigation or arrest, you should be in immediate contact with a Columbus criminal defense attorney for knowledgeable and skilled legal counsel.
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Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?When you are facing a criminal charge, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, your future stands at serious risk. Not only do you face the prospect of jail time, fines, and probation, but if you are convicted you will also carry with you a permanent criminal record that can make such things as obtaining employment, educational opportunities and housing problematic. A lawyer can make sure that your legal rights are well-protected and that a strong defense is mounted on your behalf. Going it alone in the criminal justice system can put you in peril of many unwanted consequences.
