Relates to individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime

Immunity from prostitution charges for victims and witnesses

The law gives limited immunity from state prostitution charges when you are a victim or a witness to a crime. The protection only covers acts at or near the time of the crime, or under related circumstances. You must act in good faith and either report the crime, seek needed medical care because of the crime, or try to help the investigation or prosecution. You must do this not prior to, during, or after an arrest or investigation for the prostitution act. “Crime” includes an act that reasonably looks like a crime, even if no one is convicted. If you are charged anyway, you can ask the court for a hearing within 15 days after charges are filed. The court can consider all allowed evidence, including legally permitted hearsay. If the judge finds clear and convincing evidence that you meet the immunity rules, the court must dismiss the charges. Beginning 60 days after this law became effective, these rules apply to prosecutions pending on or after that date.