Pimping is when you knowingly receive money from a prostitute, loan money to a prostitute, or receive money for the procurement of a prostitute. Pandering is similar, but slightly different. Pandering is when you procure a prostitute for someone but do not receive any money for it. You can also be charged with pandering for persuading someone to become a prostitute.
There are many situations where pimping and pandering overlap, making it difficult for defendants to understand the charges against them. There are also situations where pimping and pandering can lead to a charge of human trafficking, such as if a defendant used threats, violence, or intimidation to convince someone to be a prostitute.
The legal definitions of these charges under California law are:
Pimping: According to California Penal Code 266(h), pimping refers to when a defendant knows “another person is a prostitute” AND “lives or derives support or maintenance in whole or in part from the earnings or proceeds of the person’s prostitution” OR loans money and receives payments from a prostitute or brothel OR “who solicits or receives compensation for soliciting” clients for a prostitute.
Pandering: A defendant can be charged under California Penal Code 266(i) for “procuring,” convincing, threatening, or forcing someone to be a prostitute, OR arranging for a prostitute to work at a brothel OR receiving money or property for soliciting a prostitute for someone else.
Sex Trafficking: Under California Penal Code 236.1, a defendant can be charged with human trafficking for attempting to deprive another person of their “personal liberty” in conjunction with pimping and/or pandering.
As you can see, the line between these charges is very fine. For instance, if you live with a girlfriend who works as a prostitute and pays part of the rent, you can be charged with pimping. If a friend is looking for a "lady of the evening" and you give him the phone number of someone you know is a prostitute, you can be charged with pandering.
This is why it is so important to be represented by an experienced attorney who thoroughly understands California’s penal codes and can fully explain the charges against you. In addition, our legal team can review all the evidence and defend your reputation in a criminal court.