PC 653.22(a) Loitering For Prostitution Law & Defense Criminal Defense Attorney California

California Penal Code Section 653.22(a) Loitering For Prostitution Law & Defense

The law on the crime of loitering for prostitution is found at California PC 653.22(a). PC 653.22(a) is a misdemeanor. If found guilty of PC 653.22(a) the defendant could face up to 180 days in jail, placed on probation, fined, and restricted from visiting certain areas of a city. In addition, if found guilty of PC 653.22(a), the defendant will be made to submit a recent HIV test.

Under PC 653.22(a) the defendant will not be made to register as a convicted sex offender and therefore he or she will not be required to register as a sex offender under PC 290 (Sex Offender Registration Law in California).

To find the defendant guilty of the crime of loitering for prostitution under PC 653.22(a), the district attorney will have to prove that the defendant intended to loiter in an area for the purpose of either soliciting a prostitute or to assist a prostitute.

As you can imagine, this can be a difficult case for the prosecutor to prove. Usually the evidence consist of testimony by a police officer who testifies that the defendant was "hanging around an area frequented by prostitutes or driving around in circles where prostitutes congregate.

Of course, if the defendant has a criminal history of prostitution under PC 647(b) Prostitution, PC 315 Keeping a house of prostitution, or similar prostitution charges the district attorney will likely incorporate this into the case to try and prove that the defendant was acting in conformity with his criminal history.

PC 653.22(a) charges may lead to collateral consequences (beside possible jail time, probation, fines) such as problems with immigration status (for non U.S. citizens), professional licensing, loss of driving privileges (for PC 653.22(a) charges where the defendant was driving a vehicle), and more.

Defenses to the crime of loitering for prostitution under PC 653.22(a) range from lack of intent to entrapment to procedural defenses such as improper police interrogation and more. In many cases it may be possible to have PC 653.22(a) charges dismissed or reduced.

If you have been charged with California PC 653.22(a) or loitering for prostitution, contact Criminal Defense Attorney Christopher Dorado without delay. Attorney Dorado is an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney with experience in prostitution cases under PC 647(b) and PC 653.22(a). 100% of attorney Dorado's practice is dedicated to criminal defense and initial consultations are free. In many cases of prostitution charges attorney Dorado can represent you with the need for you to appear in court.

Contact prostitution criminal defense attorney Christopher Dorado today. 909.913.3138 or visit our prostitution page at SexCrimesAttorney909.com for more.

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