Minor Prostitution Offense

Covered offenses, encompassing acts that facilitate or directly involve minor exploitation, are defined broadly under D.C. statutes. The legal definition of "value" is intentionally expansive, including non-monetary exchanges, to capture various forms of exploitation beyond just cash transactions.

• Paying or offering payment to a minor for sexual contact.
• Soliciting a minor for prostitution, including online solicitation through various platforms.
• Encouraging a minor to engage in sexual activity in exchange for value (e.g., money, shelter, alcohol, or other favors).
• Arranging or facilitating transport of a minor for sexual exploitation (trafficking).
• Operating or leasing premises used for minor prostitution, holding facilitators accountable.

Even non-physical offers (such as alcohol or non-monetary favors) may meet the legal definition of value and trigger criminal liability. Prosecutors actively seek to establish the commercial element of the crime, often relying heavily on metadata and content from digital communication evidence.

In aggravated cases involving violence, coercion, or repeated offenses, sentencing can easily exceed 20–30 years. Fines and mandatory sex offender registration are additional, life-altering consequences that follow the individual indefinitely. Judges have wide discretion to impose maximum sentences, especially when a pattern of predatory or organizational behavior is established.

Aggravating circumstances that demonstrably increase sentence severity include:

• Knowledge of the victim’s minor status (inferred from communications or context).
• Use of threats, coercion, alcohol, or drugs to facilitate the sexual activity.
• Prior sex offense convictions, leading to enhanced sentencing protocols.
• Multiple victims or evidence of organized trafficking or repeated offenses.

Courts impose the harshest penalties when a pattern of exploitation or coercion is evident. Conversely, mitigating factors may argue for a reduction in punishment and include: a demonstrated lack of criminal history, genuine and voluntary cooperation with law enforcement, and documented efforts toward rehabilitation, such as seeking counseling immediately.

D.C. law generally does not permit a defense based on a reasonable belief that the victim was an adult in sex crime cases. Courts have consistently ruled that strict liability applies to sexual offenses involving minors, meaning the prosecution does not need to prove the defendant knew the victim's age. This rule applies even if the defendant was misled by false identification, online profiles, or the minor's sophisticated appearance. However, presenting objective evidence of a genuine, reasonable mistake can still be vital during the sentencing phase to support an argument for reduced punishment, particularly in non-coercive first-time offenses. This evidence is used to demonstrate a lack of predatory intent, which can influence a judge's discretion.

Legal representation is especially crucial in evaluating whether constitutional rights were violated during the investigation—such as unlawful search and seizure of digital devices or the viability of the defense of entrapment. The devastating collateral consequences of a conviction are often more permanent than the jail sentence itself, impacting life long after supervision ends.

• Do not make any statements or sign any waivers for law enforcement without your attorney present.
• Preserve all communications (text, chat, emails) relevant to the accusation, as digital evidence is key in these cases.
• Avoid all contact with the alleged victim or co-defendants, even if they initiated the encounter.
• Consult immediately with a defense attorney familiar with D.C. sex crime statutes and court procedures.

Beyond the Criminal Penalty: Criminal charges for minor prostitution have severe ripple effects beyond incarceration. Consequences include mandatory sex offender registration for a minimum of 10 years (often for life), severely restricting where an individual can live or work. This leads to employment disqualification in child-related, public trust, and even many private sector occupations, housing eviction (particularly from federally funded programs), and the loss of custody or visitation rights in family law proceedings. These severe collateral consequences underscore the high stakes involved and the necessity of a vigorous defense.