Minneapolis Prostitution Defense Lawyer

Minneapolis prostitution defense lawyer Christopher Keyser is an respected trial attorney who wins cases. In every Minnesota prostitution case, Mr. Keyser works to get charges dismissed and keep your criminal record clear. When a dismissal is not possible, he pushes the prostitution case to trial.

The key to successfully defending Minnesota prostitution charges is a combination of knowing how the court system works, having solid relationships with prosecutors, and a willingness to bring the case to trial when the prosecution refuses to fairly negotiate. Minneapolis prostitution defense lawyer Christopher Keyser was named a Super Lawyer Rising Star, a Top 100 Trial Lawyer, and has a Superb rating on Avvo.com.

Client Testimonials

We win cases. To read client testimonials of prostitution defense lawyer Christopher Keyser, visit his client review page.

Prostitution Entrapment Defenses

Our aggressive prostitution defense lawyer represents individuals accused throughout Minnesota. We represent prostitution cases involving hotel stings, Craigslist ads, Backpage ads, call girls, street pickups, and other online advertisements. Whether your goal is to dismiss or reduce your prostitution charges, we can help you keep your record clean.

Entrapment sometimes occurs in prostitution cases. The challenge is proving that entrapment actually occurred. When a female police officer goes undercover as a prostitute and arrests someone trying to solicit sexual services, the accused often feels that he has been entrapped or tricked. Police officers are allowed to do this sort of “sting” practice for a variety of reasons – many of which may not be entrapment.

The success of your entrapment defense relies on the verbal and non-verbal communication that occurred between you and the officer. Was there an act of exchanging money? What was said to the police officer? Our prostitution defense attorney will thoroughly review all police reports, recordings and statements made in your case. Note that prostitution charges are different from solicitation charges.

What Is Prostitution in Minnesota?

Whoever intentionally does any of the following may be sentenced up to 20 years in prison and/or pay a $40,000 fine:

• Engages in prostitution with an individual under the age of 13 years
• Hires or offers or agrees to hire an individual under the age of 13 years to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact
• Whoever intentionally does any of the following may be sentenced up to 10 years in prison and/or pay a $20,000 fine:
• Engages in prostitution with an individual under the age of 16 years but at least 13 years
• Hires or offers or agrees to hire an individual under the age of 16 years but at least 13 years to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact  Whoever intentionally does any of the following may be sentenced up to 5 years in prison and/or pay a $10,000:
• Engages in prostitution with an individual under the age of 18 years but at least 16 years
• Hires or offers or agrees to hire an individual under the age of 18 years but at least 16 years to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact

Housing a Minor

Any person, other than one related by blood, adoption, or marriage to the minor, who permits a minor to reside, temporarily or permanently, in the person’s dwelling without the consent of the minor’s parents or guardian, knowing or having reason to know that the minor is engaging in prostitution may be sentenced up 1 year in jail and/or pay a $3,000 fine. This does not apply to residential placements made, sanctioned, or supervised by a public or private social service agency.

Prostitution in a Public Place

It is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a $3,000.00 fine to anyone who, while acting as a patron, intentionally does any of the following while in a public place:

• Engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or older
• Hires, offers to hire, or agrees to hire an individual 18 years of age or older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact

General Prostitution Crimes

Whoever, while acting as a patron, intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a $3,000.00 fine:

• Engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or older
• Hires, offers to hire, or agrees to hire an individual 18 years of age or older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact

Penalties for Repeat Offenses

A person who violates Minnesota’s prostitution laws within 2 years of a previous prostitution conviction is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a $3,000.00 fine. The law requires a person with a subsequent conviction within 2 years to pay at least $1,500.00 in fines and serve 20 hours of community work service.

Prostitution and Your Driving Record

When a court sentences a person convicted of violating Minnesota’s prostitution laws while acting as a patron, the court shall determine whether the person used a motor vehicle during the offense and whether the person has previously been convicted of violating a prostitution law. If the court finds that the person used a motor vehicle during the offense, the court must send this information to the commissioner of public safety (the “DMV”) who will record the information on the person’s driving record.

Penalties for Prostitutes in Public

Whoever, while acting as a prostitute, intentionally does any of the following while in a public place is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a $3,000.00 fine:

• Engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or older
• Is hired, offers to be hired, or agrees to be hired by an individual 18 years of age or older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact

General Penalties for Prostitutes

Whoever, while acting as a prostitute, intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000.00 fine:

• Engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or older
• Is hired, offers to be hired, or agrees to be hired by an individual 18 years of age or older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact

Whoever violates this law within two years of a previous prostitution conviction is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a $3,000.00 fine.

Contact Minneapolis Prostitution Defense Lawyer

Contact Minneapolis prostitution defense attorney Christopher Keyser at 612-338-5007 for a free consultation regarding prostitution charges. Keyser Law, P.A. is a Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota prostitution and criminal defense firm. We represent individuals charged with prostitution throughout Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, and Washington Counties. Prostitution charges in greater Minnesota are accepted on an individual basis.