In New York City, the charge of Promoting Prostitution is focused not on the individual actually committing the sexual acts for money, but rather the individual who either organizes or initiates the transaction on behalf of the prostitute.
Through Hollywood and the media, people generally have an impression that pimps are violent and abusive and that madams are elegant, refined and provide huge mansions for prostitutes to use.
These stereotypes are certainly true in some cases, but are far from universal. There are four degrees of Promoting Prostitution, and they range from misdemeanor to serious felony.
A prosecutor can charge Promoting Prostitution in the Fourth Degree when an individual advances or profits from prostitution. Essentially this means that any individual who either financially benefits from prostitution, or who in some way is involved in negotiating the transaction can be charged. This lowest level charge concerning Promoting Prostitution is a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail. There are two common ways to be charged under this statute.
The first is to knowingly operate a brothel, or any house or business enterprise engaged in prostitution activity involving two or more prostitutes.
