Police Arrest Several Men for Patronizing a Prostitute

The Dover Police Department recently arrested six men for patronizing a prostitute in an effort to address quality of life issues in Dover, Delaware.  According to Dover PD, the agency announced it was cracking down on those who patronize prostitutes at a Dover hotel. Police made six arrests and each of the suspects was charged with one count of patronizing a prostitute. Some of the suspects faced other criminal charges such as weapons and drug crimes. In this article, criminal defense attorney Michael W. Modica will discuss the crime of Patronizing a Prostitute in Delaware.

Patronizing a Prostitute in Delaware 

11 Delaware Code § 1343 (2024) defines the crime of Patronizing a Prostitute. Under the statute, a person is guilty of patronizing a prostitute when:

(1) Pursuant to a prior agreement or understanding, the person pays a fee to another person as compensation for that person’s having engaged in sexual conduct with the person; or

(2) The person pays or agrees to pay a fee to another person pursuant to an agreement or understanding that in return therefor that person or a third person will engage in sexual conduct with the person; or

(3) The person solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual conduct with the person in return for a fee.

The crime of patronizing a prostitute is considered a misdemeanor. The law imposes a minimum mandatory fine of $500. The fine cannot be suspended.

Further, if a vehicle was used in connection with the crime of Patronizing a Prostitute, a peace officer is required to seize and impound the vehicle. Vehicle seizure will also apply in the case of a defendant who has a previous conviction for the offense of Patronizing a Prostitute within the past 5 years.

The statute raises the stakes for those who are caught Patronizing a Prostitute on the grounds of a school, church, or other place of worship or within 1,000 feet of a school or place of worship. Instead of a $500 fine, a defendant would face a Class A misdemeanor and a non-suspendable $1,000 fine. In addition, a defendant cannot raise the defense that they didn’t know they were within 1,000 feet of a school or place of worship while they patronized the prostitute.

While the stakes aren’t high for this kind of crime, no one wants a criminal record and you especially don’t want it known that you patronized a prostitute. This is why police often announce the names of those arrested for vice crimes such as Patronizing a Prostitute. It’s a way to shame defendants and deter people from committing crimes.

Talk to a Wilmington, DE Criminal Defense Attorney 

If you’re facing criminal charges in Wilmington, DE, then you need a criminal defense attorney who will aggressively advocate for your rights. Call Wilmington criminal defense lawyer Michael W. Modica today to schedule an appointment and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.