It’s important to understand military crimes for which you can be charged. One such crime is pandering. Under Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), pandering by inducing, enticing, or procuring an act of prostitution is a crime.
To induce, entice, or procure prostitution means that you solicited, persuaded, or caused the occurrence of an act of sexual intercourse for hire. For the purposes of pandering, sexual intercourse includes any penetration of the female sex organ by the penis. It doesn’t require the exchange of money for sex to be considered prostitution. Instead, it may be another valuable form of consideration.
Elements of Pandering
In order to be convicted of pandering, the prosecutor must prove three elements:
- You induced, enticed, or procured another individual to engage in sexual intercourse for hire;
- The act was wrongful (there was no excuse or legal justification); and
- The conduct was prejudicial or service discrediting to good order and discipline in the armed forces.
In order for pandering to occur, there must be three people involved: the panderer, the customer, and the prostitute. If only a customer and prostitute are involved it is considered a solicitation to commit prostitution.
In order for the third element of pandering to be met, the prosecutor must prove that the conduct was prejudicial or service discrediting to good order and discipline in the armed forces. For the conduct to be prejudicial it means that the conduct had an obvious or measurable impact on the morale, cohesion, or discipline of the unit or had a negative impact on the authority or esteem of the service member. Service discrediting means that the actions at hand negatively impacted the public perception of the service or opened it to public scrutiny.
Potential Penalties and Consequences
If you have been charged with pandering, it should be taken very seriously. Pandering is a serious crime of which you can face dishonorable discharge, reduction to E-1, and up to 5 years in prison should you be convicted. That’s why it’s in your best interest to fight these charges with the help of a qualified private military attorney who understands just what is at stake.
The Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC Helps Military Members in Colorado Who Have Been Charged with Pandering
The U.S. Government has an interest in obtaining a conviction as soon as possible, as it does not wish to gain negative publicity about one of its service members. That is why it is so important to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced military attorney as soon as possible. If you are a military service member and have been charged with pandering under the UCMJ, the Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC can help. We proudly serve our military members, who sacrifice so much for our country. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
