In response to multiple citizen complaints about prostitutes disrupting traffic along U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, the City Council passed an ordinance giving police more power to make arrests. The measure was approved in the fall of 2013. It allows police officers to arrest anyone who tries to stop a vehicle along U.S. 19 or get into a car with someone who has pulled over to the side of the road. If they have previously been convicted of, plead no contest to, or had an adjudication withheld for a charge of Prostitution. The police can also arrest people who they witness repeat the cycle of flagging cars down, getting into a vehicle and then returning to the same spot along the highway.
Possible Penalties Under the New Law
After an arrest by a New Port Richey police officer, a suspected prostitute may be ordered to pay a $500 fine and spend up to 60 days in jail. People who are arrested for this offense a second time face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The City Council members are especially concerned with this part of New Port Richey because they feel that the prostitution along this part of the highway is rampant.
Contact Us if You Have Been Unfairly Targeted
While it is against the law to solicit sex in exchange for money, people who have been accused of this crime deserve to be treated in an equitable manner. Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins, Attorneys at Law, P.A., represent the rights of local residents who have been charged with a crime. We believe that every client is innocent until proven guilty, but unfortunately the criminal justice system doesn’t always work like it should. A judge or prosecutor may have already decided you are guilty of prostitution before you have had the opportunity to tell your side of the story. This is just one of the many reasons you need aggressive legal representation.
Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins, Attorneys at Law, P.A., offers a free consultation session to all prospective clients. This gives us the chance to learn more about your case before we offer to defend you in court. You owe us nothing unless you decide to hire one of our criminal defense lawyers. We will provide you with a free cost estimate based on the complexity of your case and several other individual factors.
Source:
Napper, R. (2013, October 17). New port richey acts to pare prostitution on u.s. 19. Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved from http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/new-port-richey-advances-ordinance-cracking-down-on-prostitution/2147664