Colorado Springs Pimping and Pandering Defense Attorneys

Defending Against Colorado Springs Prostitution Crimes

In Colorado, a simple accusation can ruin your reputation, relationships, and career if you do not launch a strong defense immediately. As serious as a prostitution charge is, the charges surrounding prostitution, including pimping and pandering, can also drastically change your life.

If you have been charged with pimping or pandering in Colorado Springs, you need to work with a skilled Colorado Springs defense firm. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., our legal team can investigate the nature of your charges and explain your options in a free case evaluation. We understand how devastating a conviction can be, and we will use all of our experience to fight for your freedom. Call us today at (719) 475-2555 to protect your future.

Colorado Pimping and Pandering Laws

People often confuse the two sex crimes "pimping" and "pandering." Under Colorado state law, pimping is a class 3 felony, and pandering is a class 5 felony or class 3 misdemeanor, depending on the nature of the charges.

Colorado Revised Statute 18-7-206 defines pimping as:

"Any person who knowingly lives on or is supported or maintained in whole or in part by money or other thing of value earned, received, procured, or realized by any other person through prostitution commits pimping, which is a class 3 felony."

Based on this definition, the prosecution will need to prove that you received enough money to live off of that person earned through an act of prostitution. An important element is that you were aware that the money came from prostitution. Receiving money from prostitution cannot lead to a conviction unless you knew where it came from and the money helped support you. If a prostitute simply gave you money for a loan or to pay for a service, it is unrelated to a pimping charge.

Pandering, under CRS 18-7-203, is defined as:

"(a) Inducing a person by menacing or criminal intimidation to commit prostitution; or (b) Knowingly arranging or offering to arrange a situation in which a person may practice prostitution."

In order to convict you for pandering, the prosecution must show that, in order to receive money, you:

• Drove someone else to commit prostitution through force or intimidation; or
• Provided a situation, location, or service that facilitated prostitution.

It is possible to be charged with both pimping and pandering if you both received a portion or all money from an act of prostitution (committed by another person) and you facilitated the act of prostitution for another person.

Penalties for Pimping and Pandering

In Colorado, pimping and pandering each have separate penalties.

Pimping is categorized as a class 3 felony, which can lead to heavy penalties like:

• Between four to twelve years in prison;
• Fines between $3,000 to $750,000; and/or
• Mandatory five-year parole.

In contrast, pandering is a wobbler, meaning it is either a misdemeanor or felony. Pandering is a class 3 misdemeanor if you knowingly arranged a situation in which prostitution could occur, which is punished with up to six months in county jail and/or a maximum $750 fine. However, if the alleged prostitute was under the age of 18 or you used menace or intimidation to make him/her commit prostitution, the charge is elevated to a class 5 felony, which is punished with one to three years in prison and a fine between $1,000 and $100,000.

Work With an Experienced Colorado Springs Defense Lawyer

A criminal charge involving pimping or pandering can be aggressively defended. In many cases, an arrest occurs following a police operation that included video surveillance, audio recordings, and police officers engaged in a sting to identify people involved in the sex trade. Based on the evidence in your case, various types of defenses could be successful, including:

• Entrapment: If it can be proven that you committed an offense after being induced to do so by law enforcement, the charges may be dismissed. This defense requires that your lawyer establish all the elements of entrapment.
• Insufficient Evidence: In many cases, the prosecutor's evidence against you does not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were engaged in pimping or pandering. Your attorney can present other evidence that increases the level of reasonable doubt. The jury must evaluate everything when deciding to convict or find you not guilty.
• False Accusations: Another party may have accused you of pimping or pandering to damage your reputation, perhaps as an act of revenge by a former romantic partner who was engaged in prostitution.
• Money Received Was Not from Prostitution: It may be established that the money or other items of value you received were not from a prostitute, that you were unaware they were from prostitution, or that you did not receive the money as alleged by the prosecutor.

If you are accused of either pimping or pandering, the quality, experience, and reputation of your Colorado Springs prostitution defense lawyer is arguably the most critical point in the outcome of your case. The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., has a proven track record of success in complex felony cases and understands the full consequences of a wrongful conviction. If you bring your case to us, we can use all of our resources to fight for your future.

Do not wait: our early intervention may lead to a dismissal of charges, reduced charges, or other positive results. Contact our firm immediately at (719) 475-2555 if you are under investigation or have been charged with pimping, pandering, or both.

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(719) 475-2555