Michigan Sex Crime Attorneys Blog

A local website is under investigation as a conduit for prostitution. SeekingArrangement.com is a website that is designed to bring men and women together. According to news reports, because men pay women cash for their time, the site has come under fire as really providing "high-tech hookers."

The women on the site deny charges of prostitution. Many are young college students who use money earned on the dates to pay for room and board, tuition and books at colleges across the counts including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Oakland University and Wayne State University. Women interviewed on the site explain that money is exchanged for spending time together - not for a sexual relationship. If you have been charged with solicitation or prostitution, it is important to consult with a Michigan prostitution defense attorney immediately to begin preparing your defense.

Prostitution is generally defined as the exchanging of sex for money and is against the law in the State of Michigan. Michigan law, MCL 750.448 provides that soliciting prostitution is crime, and 750.449 provides that engaging services for purposes of prostitution is also considered a crime. Individuals convicted more than once of prostitution can face increased penalties. In addition, the performance of a sexual act, with a prostitute or otherwise, in public is considered gross indecency. Each offense carries with it the penalties of jail-time, mandatory testing for sexually transmitted diseases, the social stigma associated with the commission of these offenses, the potential to have any vehicle used in the commission of any of the above acts forfeited to the state as a nuisance, and registration as a sex offender under the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act.

Continue reading "Website Raises Questions About What Is Considered Prostitution In Michigan" »

Ypsilanti news reports that police have arrested 6 men for allegedly soliciting prostitution as part of a sting conducted in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township last week. The arrests were part of Enforcement Against Street Walking in Ypsilanti (E.A.S.Y.), a program aimed at eliminating the root causes of prostitution. Law enforcement, elected officials and the judicial system have all joined together in this anti-prostitution effort. Sources indicate that at least 5 additional prostitution arrests have been made in that area since May.

In fact, police in Washtenaw County, as well as Wayne, Oakland and Kalamazoo have a reputation for setting up "stings" to lure unsuspecting, law-abiding individuals to solicit a prostitute. As part of the sting, police dress up as prostitutes and arrest individuals who allegedly approach them for their sexual services. Solicitation and prostitution are both illegal - and if arrested for either, individuals face tough penalties and fines. If a second offense occurs, convictions carry with them increased penalties. An experienced Michigan prostitution defense attorney is necessary to fight the charges.

Potential penalties include, but are not limited to:

• Civil forfeitures of property, including your car
• Sexually transmitted disease testing
• Registration as a sex offender under the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act

Continue reading "Reverse Ypsilanti Prostitution Sting Leads To Arrest Of 6" »

Recent news from Chicago reveals that a Kalamazoo man was arrested near Chicago on charges of prostitution and sex trafficking. According to reports, the man brought women under the age of 18 across state lines to allegedly perform sexual services at a bachelor party. The "bachelor party" was actually a sting and allegedly set up to trap the man.

If you have been charged with prostitution, solicitation or a federal or state sex trafficking offense, it is important to immediately contact an aggressive Michigan prostitution and solicitation defense attorney to protect your rights and your reputation.

Police agencies throughout Michigan have a reputation of setting up stings to lure otherwise law-abiding citizens to allegedly solicit a "prostitute" who is actually or undercover police officer. Further, in many case confusion exists over the intention of the parties and what is intended to be a social engagement may be mischaracterized as a sex crime. The bottom line - it is critical to defense yourself against any type of sex crime.

Continue reading "Kalamazoo Man Arrested For Prostitution And Sex Trafficking" »

Ann Arbor news reports that six women were arrested during a prostitution sting last night. The women allegedly offered sex to undercover police officers. The women were taken to Washtenaw County Jail, and expected to be arraigned later today.

Police agencies, such as those in Washtenaw County, have a reputation for setting up such stings to either arrest prostitutes or those allegedly soliciting the sexual services of a prostitute. Both prostitution and solicitation are considered sex crimes and may subject you to jail-time, mandatory testing for sexually transmitted diseases and placement of your name on the Michigan Sex Crimes Registry.

If you have been arrested for prostitution or solicitation, it's important to hire an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer to fight back aggressively. When law enforcement sets up stings and arrests numerous people, often the charges of each individual are overstated or mischaracterized. It is important that your own attorney investigate the specific allegations against you individually and prepare the best possible defense for your situation.

Continue reading "Six Women Arrested In Ypsilanti Prostitution Sting" »

The recent break up of an international escort service in Detroit raises questions regarding the legality of prostitution. The Detroit News reports that a husband and wife team ran an internet-based sex empire that dispersed prostitutes to hotels and beachfront villas around the world, including Detroit.

Several editorials regarding prostitution, including one from mlive.com posed the question, what's wrong with prostitution when it involves two consenting adults exchanging sex for cash? Here, the situation did not involve young girls or abuse. Rather, the women in the escort business were allowed to keep a large percentage of the profits. The editorial noted that this is a victimless crime and if the company had been allowed to operate in the light of day, Michigan would be able to recoup taxes on this business.

Continue reading " Detroit Prostitution Ring Arrests Raises Questions " »

Current Michigan civil seizure laws allow law enforcement officials to detain Michigan residents and take their property without being ticketed or charged with a crime. Police officers can seize your car or other property based on the slightest suspicion of wrongdoing. This often happens in cases of suspected prostitution and solicitation.

According to an editorial in last week's Detroit Free Press, two Michigan lawmakers now recognize the abuses of civil seizures. State Rep. Gabe Leland, D-Detroit, has introduced a bill requiring police to charge an individual with a crime when property is seized or return the property without cost. Sen. Tupac Hunter, D-Detroit, plans to introduce similar legislation in the State Senate. These bills come on the heels of the Detroit News' report detailing how communities turn the civil seizure process into revenue streams to subsidize law enforcement.

As Sex Crimes Defense attorneys, we support the new bills. Too often overly aggressive police agencies set up "stings" to lure otherwise law-abiding citizens to allegedly solicit a "prostitute" who is actually an undercover police officer. If they suspect a law-abiding citizen is soliciting prostitution, the individual may be forced to forfeit his car to the state. Further, those suspected of prostitution may have their cars seized as well. You will need a Michigan Sex Crimes Defense lawyer to help get your car back.

Michigan's current civil seizure laws make it far too easy for law enforcement officials to trample on the civil liberties of Michigan's residents.

Continue reading "Michigan Civil Seizure Laws Treat Citizens As Guilty Until Proven Innocent" »