San Diego Pimping and Pandering Lawyer

Have you been accused of pimping and pandering in San Diego, California? This is a serious felony that can result in significant consequences. A sex crime conviction can stay with you for the rest of your life, making it difficult to obtain housing or employment, not to mention the penalties imposed by the California criminal justice system.

Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers can help you present the strongest version of your defense. Our San Diego pimping and pandering lawyers have over a decade of combined experience practicing criminal law, and we’re confident in our ability to help you achieve a favorable outcome.

To begin forming an attorney-client relationship, call (619) 357-4977 or send us an online message. Our criminal defense law firm offers a free confidential consultation to review your case.

How Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers Can Help if You’re Facing Pimping and Pandering Charges in San Diego

How Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers Can Help if You’re Facing Pimping and Pandering Charges in San Diego

Because of the widespread negative social stigma surrounding a sex crime charge like pimping and pandering, you might be rightfully concerned that you’ll be facing an uphill battle when it comes to your defense. The prosecution has discretion in how to pursue these charges, and it’s possible you’ll be up against an overzealous prosecutor who wants the most severe penalties available.

When the stakes are that high, you need a highly-experienced San Diego sex crimes lawyer to go to bat for you. That’s where Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers comes in. Our criminal defense attorneys are well-regarded, receiving accolades such as a spot on America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys for the year 2020, a perfect 10 rating on Avvo, and a selection on the Top 40 Under 40 Trial Attorneys list. Our pimping and pandering lawyers in San Diego can help by:

  • Thoroughly investigating your case to unearth any exculpatory evidence
  • Analyzing the prosecution’s case against you to determine your best possible defense
  • Negotiating with the prosecutor to have your charges reduced or dismissed, if possible
  • Protecting your constitutional rights
  • Informing you of your legal options at each stage of your case

Contact our law office today to schedule your free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help. 

Overview of California Pandering & Pimping Law

Pimping and pandering are two separate charges in the State of California, but they are similar and are often charged together. Pimping refers to receiving compensation from someone who is engaged in prostitution services, and pandering refers to facilitating or promoting prostitution. Each is usually charged as a felony.

Pandering Law in California

Pandering is covered by California Penal Code 266i PC. The statute describes a variety of situations that may give rise to pandering charges, including:

  • Procuring a person for the purposes of prostitution
  • Encouraging, persuading, or causing someone to become a prostitute
  • Facilitating the placement of a person in a place of prostitution, such as a brothel
  • Entering a place where prostitution is allowed

This list is not exhaustive, as pandering covers a wide range of activities relating to prostitution. Any violation of this section of the Penal Code can result in a felony charge.

Pimping Law in California 

Pimping falls under California Penal Code 266h PC. Pimping can be charged in a variety of situations where money is received from someone the accused knows to be a prostitute. 

Where the prostitute’s earnings support the accused in whole or in part, where the accused asks for money from a prostitute after referring them to a client, and where the accused uses money loaned to a prostitute are examples of situations that can give rise to pimping charges.

Supervising or Aiding a Prostitute

This is a distinct charge that is similar to pimping and pandering but is less severe and can be charged as a penalty. This offense is covered by California Penal Code 652.23 PC

Section 652.23 PC  makes it illegal to engage in a wide variety of activities, such as regularly communicating with a known prostitute, collecting or receiving earnings from a known prostitute, or driving a known prostitute to an area in search of clients. 

While this offense makes it easier for the prosecution to pursue charges similar to pimping and pandering, it also allows the defense to have the accused’s charges reduced.

What Are the Penalties for Pimping and Pandering in San Diego, CA?

If you are convicted of felony pimping and pandering, you could be sentenced to up to 6 years in prison. If you are convicted of misdemeanor supervising or aiding a prostitute, the penalty is up to 6 months in jail. However, these are the default sentences, and there are many other considerations to keep in mind regarding the penalties for these offenses.

First, the above sentences assume there aren’t any aggravating factors present that could lengthen your time in prison. Pimping and pandering also carry the possibility of probation instead of jail, as does supervising or aiding a prostitute. But whether probation is a possibility in your case depends in part on your criminal history. 

In addition, pimping and pandering is a crime of “moral turpitude” and is considered a sex crime, meaning you might have to register as a sex offender if you are convicted. These two aspects of the pimping and pandering offense can lead to difficulty with your immigration status (if applicable) and can also make it very difficult to find a job or a home.

What Defenses Are Available To Pimping and Pandering Charges in San Diego, California?

Fortunately, many defenses exist to fight back against pimping and pandering charges in San Diego, California. The defenses available in your case will depend on the facts involved, but examples include:

  • Your constitutional rights were violated by the police or prosecution
  • The prosecution has failed to prove one or more of the elements of your charges beyond a reasonable doubt
  • You did not have the required state of mind (intent, knowledge) necessary to prove the charges
  • You were falsely accused, and there is not enough evidence to support the prosecution’s case
  • Exculpatory evidence exists to exonerate you

You can rest assured that when you hire Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers, we’ll go to great lengths to ensure your best defenses are put forth. Call us today for legal advice.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a San Diego Pimping and Pandering Lawyer

You shouldn’t go up against pimping and pandering charges alone in San Diego. The consequences of a conviction are wide-reaching and will likely stay with you for the foreseeable future, if not your entire life. 

An experienced San Diego pimping and pandering lawyer with Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers can help you every step of the way. Our legal team will listen to your side of the story and will work with you to determine the best course of action. We’ll do what we can to have your charges reduced or dropped if possible.

Reach out to us today to get started. We offer a free consultation so that you can speak with a criminal defense lawyer upfront about your case.