Pandering

Las Vegas Pandering Defense Attorney

Pandering is the act of recruiting prostitutes or arranging a situation in which others may engage in prostitution, which is also known as pimping. In Las Vegas, there is a misconception that prostitution is legal so people get arrested for pandering, solicitation, and prostitution on a regular basis.

Informally the person who panders or procures the prostitute is known as the “pimp” or “madam.” Examples of procuring or pandering are bringing a prostitute into the country for the sole purpose of sex solicitation, conducting a prostitution business or transporting a prostitute to different locations to engage in prostitution.

Nevada aggressively prosecutes individuals who practice pandering so it is vital to contact an experienced Las Vegas attorney if you are accused of pandering.

A conviction for pandering can result in extensive prison time and hefty fines. If you are accused of pandering, you need a criminal defense attorney that will fight the charges. Contact the Law Office of Joel M. Mann at (702) 474-6266 for a free consultation on how Joel Mann can help you with a pandering allegation in Las Vegas.

Pandering Information Center

Definition of Pandering

Pandering involves one person encouraging or persuading another person to either become a prostitute or to continue to engage in prostitution. The pandering statute does not normally apply to the customer commonly known as "the john" or the prostitute. The pandering statute refers to the "pimp" or the "madame." The pandering statute also prohibits a person from taking or detaining another person with the intent to force or compel that person to marry him or another person through threats of force or actual force.

Finally, the pandering statute in Nevada prohibits any person from receiving or agreeing to receive money or anything else of value for attempting to procure or actually procuring another person to become a prostitute or to come into the State of Nevada or to leave the State of Nevada for the purpose of prostitution.

Penalties for Pandering

Under the Nevada Revised Statute Section 201.300, if a person is found guilty of pandering, the punishment depends on whether the prostitute is an adult or a child and whether physical force or threats of physical force were used to induce the prostitution.

If the immediate threat of physical force or actual physical force was use to encourage an adult to engage in prostitution, then the crime is a Category C felony punishable by:

1-5 years in prison
A fine up to $10,000

If no immediate threat of physical force and no actual physical force was used to encourage an adult to engage in prostitution, then the crime is a Category D felony punishable by:

1-4 years in prison
A fine up to $5,000

Additional Penalties for Pandering a Child

The penalties for pandering significantly increase if the individual is accused of pandering a child.

If the immediate threat of physical force or actual force was used to encourage a child to engage in prostitution, then the crime is a category B felony which is punishable by:

A minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 20 years in Nevada State Prison; and/or
A fine of not more than $20,000

If no immediate threat of physical force and no actual force were used to encourage the child to engage in prostitution, then the crime is a category B felony which is punishable by:

A minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 10 years in Nevada State Prison
And / or a fine of not more than $10,000

Under Nevada Revised Statute Section 201.352, any person convicted of pandering a child can be subjected to an additional fine based on the age of the child victim of the act of pandering. This provision of Nevada law does not create an additional criminal offense but merely enhances the fine that the court can impose which is contingent upon a finding of the age of the child subjected to the act of pandering.

If the child is 14, 15, 16, or 17 years of age, the court can impose an additional fine of not more than $100,000;
If the child is less than 14 years of age, the court can impose an additional fine of not more than $500,000;
If the offense of pandering of a child also involves a conspiracy, then the court can impose an additional fine of not more than $500,000.

Under Nevada Revised Statute Section 201.351, local law enforcement officers are also able to seize and forfeit assets derived from the pandering of any child. The proceeds from the forfeiture of property under this section shall be used for programs to prevent child prostitution.

Penalties for Pandering by Furnishing Transportation

Even providing transportation to a prostitute is illegal under the pandering statute as provided by Nevada Revised Statute Section 201.340. Although the prostitute may only be arrested for a misdemeanor offense, the person that provided the transportation can be charged with a serious felony. The crime can be prosecuted in any city or county if the prostitute was either transported or an attempted travel through that county or city in the State of Nevada.

Any person who knowingly transports or causes to be transported in any vehicle or conveyance in the State of Nevada with the intent to encourage the person to become a prostitute or continue to engage in prostitution is guilty of pandering under this section. The punishment depends on whether the transportation was provided to a prostitute under the age of 18 and whether any physical force was used.

Pandering by providing transportation to an adult prostitute with the immediate threat of physical force or actual physical force is punishable as a category C felony.
Pandering by providing transportation to an adult prostitute with no immediate threat of physical force and no actual physical force is punishable as a category D felony.
Pandering by providing transportation to a prostitute under the age of 18 with the immediate threat of physical force or actual physical force is punishable as a category B felony which is punishable with a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 20 years in Nevada State Prison and/or a fine of $20,000.
Pandering by providing transportation to a prostitute under the age of 18 with no immediate threat of physical force and no actual physical force is punishable as a category B felony which is punishable with a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 10 years in Nevada State Prison and/or a fine of $10,000.

Pandering by Placing a Spouse in a Brothel

Nevada Revised Statute Section 201.310 prohibits pandering by placing a spouse in a brothel. Pandering by forcing a spouse into a life of prostitution is punishable as a Category C felony where any immediate threat of force or actual force is used. When no immediate threat of physical force or actual physical force is used, then the offense of pandering by forcing a spouse into a life of prostitution is punishable as a category D felony.

Living off of the Earnings of a Prostitute

Nevada Revised Statute Section 201.320 prohibits a person from living off the earnings of a prostitute. Under the statute, any person who knowingly accepts or receives money or anything else of value, from the proceeds of any prostitute is guilty of a Category D felony.

Defenses to Accusations of Pandering

Sometimes pandering cases can come down to a “he said, she said,” situation which means there is little concrete evidence of pandering in these situations. A pandering charge can be dismissed or reduced if a criminal defense lawyer shows the following things:

Mistaken identity
Undermining the credibility of the accuser (i.e. revenge motive)
Any form of police misconduct that occurred could be grounds to dismiss the charges
Any money exchanged did not have anything to do with prostitution

If you contact a Law Vegas criminal defense lawyer right away, the attorney can work to get the charges dismissed or prepare to fight the charges in court. Pandering is a serious offense in Nevada and has very serious consequences if you are convicted.

Law Office of Joel M. Mann | Nevada Pandering Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of the serious criminal offense of pandering, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Joel Mann has defended clients against a wide range of sex crime allegations. Contact an attorney experienced in defending false allegations of pandering to discuss the particular facts of your case.