Los Angeles Pimping and Pandering Defense Lawyers
Providing Top-Notch Legal Defense for Those Charged with Pimping and Pandering in Los Angeles
Being convicted of any crime can quickly lead to your life falling apart. But being convicted of something as serious and frowned upon as pimping or pandering will likely cause your life to be left in complete shambles. You could lose your relationships with loved ones, be let go from your job, and watch helplessly as your reputation falls apart around you in addition to facing serious time in prison.
However, with the proper criminal defense team by your side, you may be able to beat the charges and go home to your family, as if nothing happened to begin with. We at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP have worked with many clients who faced serious sex crime charges, and our Los Angeles sex crime defense lawyers understand the work that must be put into such a trial and defense. We are fully prepared to put in the hours necessary to get you the most favorable possible outcome. If you or a loved one are facing charges of pimping and pandering, then call our firm at (213) 688-0460 today.
Defining Pimping and Pandering
You may have heard the terms pimping and pandering used interchangeably in the past, especially considering that they are both serious sex crimes. Many people assume that they are the exact same crime, but that is actually very far from the truth. Under California laws, there are slight nuances that have a serious impact on their exact definition.
Pimping: Pimping is defined under California Penal Code 266h PC. As it is currently laid out, anyone who receives some form of revenue from a prostitute, as in someone performing sexual activities for money, is considered a pimp. This could be as serious as taking all of the money a prostitute made after working with a client or as minor as asking for a few bucks because you recommended the prostitute to a friend who then paid for the prostitute’s services.
Pandering: On the other hand, under Penal Code 266i PC, pandering is when someone tries to persuade or force someone else into prostitution. This persuasion or force can come in the form of fraud and tricks, violence or threat of violence, or promises, whether they be false or true.
The key difference between these two charges is that pimping involves benefiting financially from a prostitute, whereas pandering means pushing someone else into the role of a prostitute. That being said, most pimps also engage in pandering, and so the two charges often go hand in hand. If you are currently facing charges of one, chances are high that you are facing charges for the other.
Pimping and Pandering: The Penalties
Both pimping and pandering are felonies under California law. Being convicted of either will mark you as a felon and impact your rights as an American citizen. On top of that, the penalties you will face from a conviction of either crime are incredibly serious and will likely have a heavy impact on your relationships, employment, and overall life. While the two crimes are legally different, their penalties are actually largely the same.
If you are convicted of pimping or pandering, you will likely face:
- A prison sentence of up to six years
- A fine of up to $10,000
On top of that, if you are convicted of pimping or pandering a minor under the age of 18, then you may be penalized with:
- A prison sentence of up to eight years
- Further fines of up to $10,000
- Registration as a California Sex Offender
It is important to remember that most people who are charged with one crime will also be charged with the other. In such cases, the penalties can be stacked. This means that if you are facing charges of pimping and pandering a minor, you may actually be facing 16 years in prison, as well as a $20,000 fine. You may also be facing charges of supervising or aiding prostitution, as well as contributing to the delinquency of a minor. While these two crimes carry lighter penalties than pimping or pandering, they could still add on one or two more years in prison, as well as hefty fines.
How to Defend Against Los Angeles Pimping and Pandering Charges
Considering how serious a conviction of pimping or pandering is, you will need a strong defense to make sure that your charges are lowered or dropped altogether. However, coming up with the proper defense isn’t easy. It requires an in-depth investigation into your charges, the details of your arrest, and the evidence that the prosecution is using to try and convict you. A good criminal defense attorney will need to work with you and on your case for hours before they could possibly be fully prepared for your trial. That being said, there are a few defenses that we most often implement in pimping and pandering trials.
- You were entrapped by the arresting officers
- Your rights were violated during your arrest
- Your identity was mistaken, and you are not the perpetrator they are looking for
- You are being falsely accused
- You had no intent to persuade anyone to engage in sex work
- You were unaware the money you were given was obtained through sex work
- You are guilty of either pimping or pandering, but are not guilty of the other
- You are guilting of supervising or aiding prostitution, but not of pimping or pandering
Given the time needed to craft a strong defense, relying on a public defender to take care of your case would be a mistake. While public defenders are great attorneys, they are incredibly overworked as there simply aren’t enough of them for the California criminal justice system. This means that your public defender will likely not be able to give your case the time it truly needs, and you may be left with a weak defense against the prosecution. Instead, you should work with one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles.
Accomplished Criminal Defense Legal Team in California
Pimping and pandering are serious crimes. Being convicted of either, or both, could leave your life in shambles. Not only will you be spending years in prison, but you may also be expected to pay fines you can’t afford and be left with limited rights upon your release. However, with an experienced Los Angeles pimping and pandering defense lawyer on your side, you may be able to get your charges lowered, or even dropped altogether. For excellent legal aid and outstanding case results, call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP at (213) 688-0460 today to schedule a free consultation or submit a case evaluation online.
Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP Today
Phone: (213) 688-0460 
Fax: (213) 624-1942
Recent Case Results
- Complete Dismissal of Molestation Charges
Attorney Mark Werksman’s 29 year old client was falsely accused of molesting two neighborhood children and was subsequently charged with felony child molestation, with a significant prison sentence hanging over his head should he be convicted. Instead, at the preliminary hearing Werksman was able to convince the court to grant his client a complete dismissal of any charges. - Decision Set Aside
Client, a college student in a faulty Title IX case, was awarded $130,000 in attorney fees. - Probation with No Jail Time for Drug Money Laundering Charge
Wilmington man accused in New York federal court of laundering drug money through the sale of laptop computers. Mark was able to get the case transferred to federal court in Los Angeles, where he convinced the United States Attorney to reduce the charges. His client was sentenced to probation with no jail time on a misdemeanor conviction.
