Police officers are on the lookout for people to charge with crimes. So, if you've been charged with a crime in Denver, Adams, or Douglas County, join the crowd. For example, actress Daniele Watts (known for her work in Django Unchained) was recently detained and questioned for Prostitution charges. Even celebrities are questioned for crimes. Let's take a look at what happened, and illustrate how someone in Colorado could be charged with Prostitution.

Actress Daniele Watts Questioned for Prostitution Charges

According to reports, the actress was handcuffed and detained by the police after she was seen kissing and showing affection to her husband on the street. The police handcuffed her and detained her. She refused to provide identification, so they kept her in their car until they could identify her. It's difficult to be handcuffed – the young actress suffered a cut wrist from the handcuffs. She was obviously upset by the treatment she received, as was her husband. Even though she wasn't officially arrested, the incident was an unpleasant one for the actress. But, how could the police make the assumption she was a prostitute? Let's look at the Prostitute statute in Colorado for clues.

[pullquote align=”center” textalign=”center” width=”75%”]The woman was kissing her husband – not offering her services as a prostitute.[/pullquote]

What is Prostitution in Colorado?

In Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Pueblo County, Prostitution – C.R.S. 18-7-201, is charged whenever a person offers, agrees, or performs any sexual act with any person (not their spouse) in exchange for money or any other thing of value. So, if the police spot a person on the side of the road who appears to be “offering” to perform sexual acts to people in exchange for money, they may arrest them under suspicion of Prostitution.

Police Make Mistakes: Which is Why You Need a Lawyer

As in the case of Daniele Watts, the police make mistakes. They thought the actress was offering her services as a prostitute to a man on the street – but in reality, she was just displaying an act of public affection in public. Thankfully, once she was identified, the police didn't officially arrest the actress. But, other people aren't always so lucky. Often, the police don't want to admit they made an assumption or a mistake, so they go ahead and arrest someone. And, District Attorneys further compound the problem by taking cases to trial without any evidence. This is why you need an exceptional criminal defense lawyer by your side in the courtroom. You need to ensure that your side of the story will be told, whether it be in defense of offering Prostitution, or for Solicitation of a Prostitute – C.R.S. 18-7-202. Either way, you need an attorney in the courtroom advocating on your behalf so you get the best possible outcome in your case.

Request a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been charged with Prostitution or Soliciting a Prostitute, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.

 Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net