A victimless sex crime is essentially a crime that has no direct victim because, more often than not, only “consenting” adults are involved. Penalties for Victimless Sex Crimes in Washington State can be very severe and often involve jail time, fines, community service, attendance at a sexual offender treatment program, and in some specific circumstances, lifetime registration as a sexual offender.
Some examples of Victimless Sex Crimes that the criminal defense team at SQ Attorneys represent are:
- Prostitution - a person receiving payment for sexual intercourse or other sexual acts
- Pimping Solicitation - soliciting acts of prostitution or pandering on behalf of another
- Pandering - the act of recruiting someone for prostitution or facilitating an act of prostitution for another person. It is distinct from soliciting (paying for sex) and includes actions such as arranging for prostitution services, transporting someone for prostitution services, or providing a location for prostitution services.
- Lewd Acts & Lascivious Behavior - intentionally performing acts like exposing genitals or female nipples in public, masturbating, or engaging in sexual contact in public. These acts are generally considered misdemeanors but can be elevated to gross misdemeanors if a person under the age of 14 witnesses them.
- Indecent Exposure - a type of lewd act that occurs when someone intentionally and obscenely exposes themselves in a way that is likely to cause affront or alarm. In certain circumstances Indecent Exposure in Washington State may require long-term registration as a sex offender or tedious and embarrassing psychological treatment.
Prostitution:
It is a crime in Washington State to hire a prostitute to perform sexual acts for payment. Being charged with Prostitution can arise as a result of a pre-planned, systematic law enforcement sting operation, using police officer as decoys who pose as prostitutes; this type of law enforcement activity is not considered entrapment. A law enforcement sting operation can consist of potential customers agreeing to perform a particular sexual act for a particular monetary fee.
Many individuals charged with a victimless sex crime in Washington State have no prior criminal record; they desire to keep the matter as private as possible, and do not want to go to trial so as to avoid potentially adverse effects on their marriage, family life and employment status.
Because of the significant life-changing implications a victimless sex crime conviction can have, it is imperative that a person charged with a victimless sex crime in Washington State retain a qualified criminal defense attorney in order to best minimize potential legal consequences and protect themselves from unnecessary embarrassment and any negative employment consequences. The criminal defense attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified Western Washington criminal defense attorneys that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those charged with victimless sex crimes in Western Washington. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible.
