Inducing a Minor Into Prostitution

Inducing a minor into prostitution is a criminal offense under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272 Section 4A.

To be convicted of this offense, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant either:

1. Induced a minor to become a prostitute; or
2. Knowingly aided and assisted one or more other persons in such inducement.

If you are convicted of inducing a minor into prostitution, you face a minimum three-year state prison sentence without probation, parole or any reduction from the sentence, and you may face imprisonment for up to five years. Such imprisonment is coupled with a $5,000 fine.

Deriving financial support from minor prostitution is a crime prohibited by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272 Section 4B.

To be convicted of this offense, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

1. The defendant derived support from, even partly, or shared in earnings, proceeds or monies that came from prostitution committed by a minor; and
2. The defendant knew that those earnings, proceeds or monies came from prostitution. The prosecutor does not have to prove that the defendant knew that the prostitute was a minor.

If you are convicted of this offense, you face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment in the state prison and a $5,000 fine. The five-year sentence cannot be reduced, and there is no possibility probation or parole. Since there is no maximum sentence for this offense, you may even face life in prison.

Engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 14 for a fee is a criminal offense under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272 Section 53A.

This law proscribes: (a) paying; (b) agreeing to pay; or (c) offering to pay another individual with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a child younger than 14 years old. It also proscribes: (d) being paid; (e) agreeing to pay; or (f) agreeing that another party be paid to help a person who intends to engage in sexual conduct with a child less than 14 years old.

Whether or not sexual behavior actually occurs is irrelevant.

An offer to engage in sexual conduct for a fee can be established when a defendant negotiates over the price of sex with a child and prepares to travel to a location to engage in sexual conduct with the child.

Factual impossibility is not a defense for engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. If, for example, a defendant negotiates with an undercover police officer regarding the price of having sex with a child, the defendant can be guilty of this offense even if the child does not exist. If you are convicted of engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 14 for a fee, you face imprisonment in the state prison for up to 10 years or in the house of correction for up to two and one-half years.

Charges related to prostitution, especially those involving children, are serious not only because of the potentially harsh punishments, but also because they can be devastating to your reputation, career and relations with family and friends. Stephen Neyman is an experienced defense attorney who can build a successful defense for you. If you have been charged, call our office at 617-263-6800 or contact us online today.