REVISE PROSTITUTION PENALTIES



House Bill 5171

Sponsor: Rep. Clark Bisbee

Committee: Criminal Law and Corrections


Complete to 10-30-00



A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5171 AS INTRODUCED 12-7-99


The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to include violations of local prostitution ordinances in the definition of prior convictions and to clarify the penalties for second and third prostitution offenses. Currently, a first time offense is a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days imprisonment, a fine of up to $100, or both. A second violation is also a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to $500, or both. A third or subsequent offense is a felony and is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years. The bill would maintain the same penalty structure, but specify that the increased penalties would apply when a defendant has a prior conviction of a prostitution crime and has been charged with having that prior conviction. Under the bill, a prior conviction would be defined as a conviction for soliciting, aiding and abetting prostitution, admitting a person to place for the purpose of prostitution, or engaging or offering to engage the services of a prostitute (which applies only to males defendants), attempting any of those crimes, or a conviction for a violation of any substantially similar local ordinance.


MCL 750.451




















Analyst: W. Flory



This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.