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Is today really the "National Day of Johns"?
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Many of you probably saw the article in the Daily Press today commemorating the "National Day of Johns" in Newport News. "Commemorating" might not be the right word, unless your idea of a commemoration is to arrest 27 individuals suspected of soliciting prostitutes and post their pictures online before they are tried or convicted of anything. But that is how Newport News chose to celebrate this day. It's interesting that a google search for "National Day of Johns" quickly reveals a rather local flavor to this "national" event. In fact, there is not one reference to the festivities outside of Newport News anywhere on the world wide web. That being said, it's an important day for these 27 men who have had their names and faces posted all over the internet without trial or the presentation of a single prosecution witness.
I have spoken in several previous posts about prostitution charges in Hampton Roads, and will spend some time today discussing solicitation of a prostitute, as Newport News has chosen to make the topic particularly relevant today. Virginia Code §18.2-346 makes it a crime to "offer money or its equivalent to another for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts as enumerated above [
in subparagraph (a) of the statute] and thereafter do any substantial act in furtherance thereof". The "sexual acts" in question are adultery, fornication, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, as well as animate and inanimate object sexual penetration.
Solicitation charges are Class 1 misdemeanors, carrying the possibility of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. The effect on one's family and employment go far beyond that. That being said, these charges can and should be aggressively attacked. There is a great deal of sexual conduct that is not covered by the statute. Similarly, it is often difficult to prove the precise nature of an agreement. The mere existence of an agreement is not enough; the statute also requires that the individual commit a "substantial act in furtherance thereof" after the agreement is reached (not before).
The bottom line is that law enforcement aggressively prosecutes prostitution charges in Newport News, and throughout Hampton Roads. If you have been charged with soliciting a prostitute, do not delay, contact us today. We are here to fight for you!
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Posted By Shawn Cline on
October 11, 2011 12:34 pm |
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