I bet you didn’t know that in Arizona you could be charged for forcing or intimidating your spouse to live in a house of prostitution or forcing or intimidating your spouse to lead a life of prostitution!  This is a serious offense and is a Class 5 felony. 

Let’s put this into perspective.  A spouse gets arrested by an undercover officer for prostitution and cries out that he or she was being forced or was threatened by their spouse to prostitute themselves, the police could arrest the spouse! 

The law says that if you are married and you force, either by abusing or threatening, your significant other to be a prostitute, you face significant consequences including a prison term.  Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3205, the spouse of a prostitute can be charged with a Class 5 felony.  What is even worse, is that you are not eligible for probation and must serve your entire prison term of 6 months up to 3 years.  You are not eligible to be released early and not eligible to have your sentence commuted. 

What Constitutes Prostitution in Arizona?

In Arizona, criminal prostitution is defined as engaging in or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct with another person in exchange for a fee. This includes offering or soliciting sexual services in exchange for money or other goods/services.

Under Arizona law, both the prostitute and the client can be charged with prostitution-related offenses. Prostitution is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and fines. Additionally, promoting prostitution, which involves facilitating or managing a person’s engagement in prostitution, is a felony offense that carries more severe penalties.

It is important to note that human trafficking laws also come into play when addressing issues related to prostitution. Human trafficking involves coercing individuals into engaging in commercial sex acts against their will through force, fraud, or coercion. These crimes carry harsher penalties and are vigorously prosecuted under Arizona law.

                  You will want to hire an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney who can help defend you from serious criminal charges such as prostitution.  Contact Dodge & Vega for a free consultation and let us help you defend your rights. Or call us now at 480-656-8333!

-Ben Dodge, Esq.,

Founder – Managing Partner, Trial Attorney

Founder – Managing Partner, Trial Attorney

Dodge & Vega Trial Law Practice Areas:

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