Opinion ID: 874903
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the attempt statute can be combined with the procurement of prostitution statute to prosecute an individual for the attempted procurement of prostitution

Text: Grazian maintains that the 1994 repeal of attempt language in the procurement of prostitution statute, without reference to the general attempt statute, reveals the legislature's intent to eliminate attempted procurement of prostitution as a criminal offense. Statutory interpretation must begin with the literal words of the statute and these words must be given their plain, usual, and ordinary meaning. McLean, 142 Idaho at 813, 135 P.3d at 759. The plain language is always to be preferred to any curious, narrow hidden sense. State v. Mercer, 143 Idaho 108, 109, 138 P.3d 308, 309 (2006). Unless the result is palpably absurd, this Court assumes that the legislature meant what is clearly stated in the statute. State v. Rhode, 133 Idaho 459, 462, 988 P.2d 685, 688 (1999). When the language is plain and unambiguous, statutory interpretation is not necessary. Hayden Lake Fire Protection Dist. v. Alcorn, 141 Idaho 307, 312, 109 P.3d 161, 166 (2005). Statutory language may be plain even if the parties present different interpretations to the court; ambiguity only occurs where reasonable minds might differ as to interpretations. Id. The statutes at issue are the procurement of prostitution statute and the attempt statute. The section dealing with procurement of prostitution states: Any person who induces, compels, entices, or procures another person to engage in acts as a prostitute shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less than two (2) years nor more than twenty (20) years, or by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.