St. Petersburg City Ordinance Section 20-122
What happens after your motor vehicle is impounded by an officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department pursuant to Section 20-122 of the St. Petersburg City Code?
Section 20-122 prohibits a person from using a motor vehicle to facilitate the commission of any of the following offenses:
- driving under the influence (DUI) of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances in violation of F.S. 316.193;
- drug charges for possession of marijuana or any other violation of F.S. ch. 893;
- prostitution or sex-related offenses including:
- the commission or attempted commission of an act of prostitution, assignation, or lewdness as defined in F.S. § 796.07;
- the commission of an act of solicitation for prostitution, lewdness, or assignation in violation of F.S. § 796.07;
- the commission of an unnatural or lascivious act in violation of F.S. § 800.02;
- the commission of the exposure of sexual organs in violation of F.S. § 800.03; or
- the commission of a violation of section 20-121 relating to precursor acts facilitating prostitution.
After an arrest for one of these offenses, the vehicle will not be released until you pay a civil administrative penalty of $500.00, plus towing and storage charges.
You can pay an extra $50 to demand a formal hearing. At the formal hearing, you can fight for the return of the $500 administrative penalty and the $50 fee.
For most claimants, requesting the hearing to contest the administrative penalty only makes sense.
Your attorney will win the hearing if the attorney for the City of St. Petersburg does not meet their burden of proof when showing that the vehicle was used in violation of Section 20-122(b) or because the final hearing was not scheduled within five (5) days of the demand or held within 30 days of the date the vehicle was impounded through no fault of the vehicle owner.
If you win the hearing, the hearing master will order that the vehicle be immediately released to the owner as soon as possible without imposing penalties, fees, or towing and storage charges. Any cash bond posted, if any, shall also be returned.
Even if you don’t win the hearing, your attorney can question the witnesses against you under oath.
That testimony and cross-examination are electronically recorded. At the end of the hearing, your attorney will get a copy of the record that can be typed into a transcription.
Your attorney can use that transcript in your criminal case to fight the charges during a motion to dismiss the case or at trial. Sometimes cases are won or lost based on what happens during the administrative hearing.
Keep in mind that if you lose the hearing, you can appeal a ruling or order of the hearing master by proceeding in the circuit court in Pinellas County, FL, under Rule 9.190, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.
An appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the order’s rendition to be appealed. The nature of the appeal shall be from a final administrative order.
Attorney for Vehicle Seizures by the St. Petersburg Police Department
Don’t let them take your vehicle without a fight. If your vehicle was impounded by the City of St. Petersburg Police Department under City Ordinance Section 20-122, then contact an experienced attorney at Sammis Law Firm to demand the return of your vehicle or the money you paid.
We help clients fight charges for DUI, possession of marijuana, prostitution, or any sex-related offense by officers with the St. Petersburg Police Department.
We can also fight the city ordinance violation when you hire us to fight your criminal charges.
The hearing on the city ordinance allows you to gain valuable information about the case early in the investigation.
In these cases, we will appear for you at the final hearing to contest any allegation that you violated St. Petersburg Ordinance Section 20-122.
At the final hearing, the attorney for the City of St. Petersburg has the heavy burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that you violated the city ordinance Section 20-122.
Your attorney can explain why the violation didn’t occur or can’t be proven at trial.
If you are charged with committing a crime using the vehicle, then your attorney can gather valuable evidence that can be used to defend your case in the criminal court at this final hearing.
Our attorneys can also help you appeal a ruling or order of the hearing master by proceeding in the circuit court in Pinellas County, FL, under Rule 9.190, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure within 30 days of the rendition of the final administrative order to be appealed.
To discuss your case, contact an attorney at the Sammis Law Firm. Call 813-250-0500 today.
What Happens at the Final Hearing at the St. Petersburg City Hall Building?
After you demand the final hearing, you will receive a notice of hearing from an attorney with the City of St. Petersburg. The notice provides:
YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing on Petitioner’s Request for an Impound Appeal Hearing pursuant to St. Petersburg City Ordinance Section 20-122 has been scheduled in this cause for [date at time], before a hearing master at the St. Petersburg City Hall, Community Resource Room, 175 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
At the final hearing, the hearing officer will determine whether the City of St. Petersburg can establish by clear and convincing evidence that City Ordinance Section 20-122 was violated.
If the hearing master determines the City of St. Petersburg has not established its case by clear and convincing evidence, or that an exception as provided in the Ordinance exists, the vehicle shall be released and any cash bond posted shall be returned to the vehicle owner.
Only a few of these hearings are held each month because most people do not request the hearing to fight for the return of their money.
Requesting the Formal Hearing for the City Ordinance Violation
To contest the alleged violation, you must request a final hearing within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the Notice of Vehicle Impoundment.
You will also be served with form SPPD 04-048 (rev 10/05/2017) entitled “instructions for retrieving impounded vehicles and requesting hearing(s).”
As explained in the instructions, to be considered timely, the request for the final hearing must actually be received by the St. Petersburg Police Department during that fifteen (15) day deadline.
If your request is not received within that fifteen (15) day period, then the request will be denied as untimely.
Additionally, you must pay a hearing fee in the amount of $50.00 at the time the final hearing is requested. The $50.00 hearing fee must be paid in cash or with a certified check or money order payable to the “City of St. Petersburg.”
After the request is received, the attorney with the St. Petersburg Police Department must schedule the hearing to be held within fifteen (15) days of a timely request.
You will be notified of the hearing’s time, date, and location by hand delivery or certified mail.
The request for the final hearing must be made via mail or hand delivery to the address in the notice.
St. Petersburg Police Department
1300 First Avenue North
Attn: Legal Department
St. Petersburg, Florida 33705
What Happens at a Preliminary Hearing?
At the preliminary hearing, the hearing officer will only determine whether probable cause existed for the impoundment of the vehicle.
If the hearing master determines probable cause for the vehicle impoundment, then the hearing master will order the continued impoundment of the vehicle pending the payment of the $500.00, along with towing and storage charges.
If no probable cause is found, the vehicle shall be released to the owner without imposing fees. If such fees have been paid, they shall be promptly refunded to the owner.
Innocent Owner Defense for Sec. 20-122
Under Sec. 20-122(c)(3), the hearing officer should order that an exception outlined in St. Petersburg City Code Section 20-122(d) does apply if “at the time the vehicle is subject to seizure and impoundment, it is under the control of a person other than an owner or co-owner and the owner or co-owner was not present at the time the vehicle became subject to seizure and impoundment.”
Read more about hiring an attorney for a lienholder in a forfeiture action.
What Happens if You Don’t Demand a Preliminary or Final Hearing?
If you don’t demand either a preliminary hearing or a final hearing, then you can still reclaim your vehicle. However, you must still pay an administrative fee of $500.00 to the St. Petersburg Police Department Information Desk.
After you make the $500 payment, you will receive the written documentation required to release the vehicle at the impound lot. You must then pay the towing and storage charges to the towing company.
If you pay the administrative fee and the towing and storage charges without requesting either the preliminary or final hearing, you waive any hearing on the matter.
What Does the Report of Final Hearing Say?
The report of the final hearing lists a description of the vehicle by year, make, model, VIN number, the impound number, the date, time, hearing master, vehicle owner, and city representative.
The order, which the hearing master signs, provides:
1. The above-listed vehicle was/was not subject to seizure and impoundment. By clear and convincing evidence, I find that the vehicle was/was not used in violation of St. Petersburg City Code Section 20-122(b) specifically, [i.e., exposure of sexual organs or solicitation of prostitution].
2. The exceptions set forth in St. Petersburg City Code Section 20-122(d) do / do not apply. Specifically, ________________________.
3. Unless previously released, I hereby order continued impoundment of the vehicle pending payment of a $500.00 administrative civil penalty and hearing costs of $50.00 to the City of St. Petersburg, plus payment of towing and storage charges to the towing company. If such payment is not made within 30 days of the date of this hearing, the City may release the vehicle to the towing company for satisfaction fo the towing and storage lien.
4. I hearby find that the City of St. Petersburg did not meet its burden of proof that the vehicle was used in violation of Section 20-122(b). Therefore, it is ordered that the vehicle be released to the owner as soon as practical without the imposition of penalties, fees, or towing and storage charges. Any cash bond posted, if any, shall be returned.
5. I hereby find that this final hearing was not held within 30 days of the date the vehicle was impounded through no fault of the vehicle owner.
6. Therefore, it is ordered that the vehicle be released to the owner as soon as practical without the imposition of penalties, fees, or towing and storage charges. Any cash bond and /or final hearing fee which was posted shall be returned.
What is St. Petersburg City Code Section 20-122?
Sec. 20–122. – Impoundment of motor vehicles used to facilitate prostitution and drug-related crimes.
(a) Definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Business days means days other than Saturday, Sunday, or holidays recognized by the City.
Co-owner means any natural person owning a motor vehicle in common with another, regardless of marital relationship or the conjunctive term used on registration or title documents.
Hearing master means the person contracted with by the City as provided herein for the purpose of conducting the administrative hearing provided for herein.
Lienholder means any individual or entity which, as of the time of impoundment, has properly perfected a lien on the vehicle subject to impoundment.
Owner means the natural person who is a registered or titled owner of a motor vehicle, or a natural person having other indicia of ownership of a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a bill of sale or open title signed by a previous owner.
(b) Seizures and impoundment. A motor vehicle shall be subject to seizure and impoundment whenever a Police Officer has probable cause to believe that the vehicle:
(1) Was used to facilitate the commission or attempted commission of an act of prostitution, assignation or lewdness as defined in F.S. § 796.07;
(2) Was used to facilitate the commission of an act of solicitation for prostitution, lewdness, or assignation in violation of F.S. § 796.07;
(3) Was used to facilitate the commission of an unnatural or lascivious act in violation of F.S. § 800.02;
(4) Was used to facilitate the commission of the exposure of sexual organs in violation of F.S. § 800.03;
(5) Was used to facilitate the commission of a violation of section 20-121 relating to precursor acts facilitating prostitution;
(6) Unlawfully contains any controlled substance as defined in F.S. §§ 893.02 and 893.03; or
(7) Was used to facilitate the commission of any violation of F.S. ch. 893.
(8) Was driven or operated under the influence in violation of F.S. § 316.193.
(c) Exceptions. This section shall not apply and no vehicle shall be seized or impounded pursuant to this section if:
(1) The vehicle was stolen at the time that it was otherwise subject to seizure and impoundment;
(2) A law enforcement agency seizes the vehicle pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act; or
(3) At the time the vehicle is subject to seizure and impoundment, it is under the control of a person other than an owner or co-owner and the owner or co-owner was not present at the time the vehicle became subject to seizure and impoundment.
(d) Duties of attending Police Officer. Upon impounding a motor vehicle, the Police Officer shall:
(1) Arrange for the towing of the vehicle by a company having a written agreement with the City to provide towing and motor vehicle storage services, to the impound lot maintained by the company for the storage of motor vehicles pursuant to the agreement;
(2) Provide written notice of impoundment by hand delivery to any owner or co-owner of the vehicle who is present at the time the vehicle is impounded. The notice shall include a statement of the fact of the vehicle impoundment, a statement that the owner has the right to request a preliminary hearing to contest the seizure and impoundment pursuant to subsection (e) of this section and a final hearing pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, and a statement of the procedure and deadlines for requesting such hearings.
The notice shall also include a statement that the owner may elect to pay the administrative civil penalty, plus any towing and storage costs, as provided herein and waive the preliminary hearing, the final hearing, or both;
(3) The Police Department shall, within two business days of the impoundment, provide a notice of impoundment to any co-owner or lienholder whose name and address are known or can be ascertained after a search of the public records. The notice shall include a statement that the co-owner or lienholder has the right to request a preliminary hearing pursuant to subsection (e) of this section and a final hearing pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and shall describe the procedure and deadlines for requesting such hearings.
(e) Preliminary hearing; administrative penalty.
(1) Within five business days of receipt of the notice described in subsection (d) of this section, the owner, co-owner or lienholder may request a preliminary hearing by delivering to the address provided in the notice a written request for a preliminary hearing. Such request for a preliminary hearing shall set forth a telephone number and correct address where the owner, co-owner or lienholder may be contacted. The written notice must be received at the address provided in the notice within the allotted time, or the right to a preliminary hearing shall be deemed to be waived.
(2) Upon timely receipt of a written request for a preliminary hearing, the POD shall schedule a hearing to be held within five business days following the date of receipt of the request. The requesting party shall be notified by telephone of the date, time and location of the hearing; however, notice may be provided by other means at the election of the POD.
(3) The hearing shall be held before a hearing master provided by the City. At the outset of such hearing, the hearing master shall determine that notice of the hearing was perfected. The sole issue to be considered by the hearing master is whether the impounding Police Officer had probable cause under this section to seize and impound the vehicle. The formal rules of evidence shall not apply and hearsay evidence, including any relevant police report, is admissible. The burden of demonstrating probable cause is on the City.
(4) If the City establishes probable cause to support the impoundment, the hearing master shall order the continued impoundment of the vehicle pending final hearing or the payment of an administrative civil penalty of $500.00 together with all fees and charges incurred for towing and storage services, in amounts not to exceed the amounts previously established by agreement between the City and the wrecking company for such services. Alternatively, the owner may secure release of the vehicle by posting a cash bond (money order or certified check) in the amount of $500.00 with the City, and payment of towing and storage charges to the wrecker company.
If no probable cause is found at the preliminary hearing, the vehicle shall be released to the owner as soon as practical without the imposition of penalties or fees whatsoever, and in such event any fees or costs paid to the City or for towing and storage of the vehicle shall be promptly refunded to the owner.
(5) An owner may elect to waive the preliminary hearing, the final hearing, or both, and pay the administrative civil penalty of $500.00 to the City and any towing and storage charges due the wrecker company. An executed waiver shall bind both the owner and co-owner except as otherwise provided herein. An owner subsequently found not guilty of all criminal offenses and ordinance violations that arose out of conduct that caused the vehicle to be impounded shall have the right to receive a refund of the civil penalty paid at the time of executing the waiver and towing and storage charges.
(f) Final hearing.
(1) Within 15 days of receipt of the notice described in subsection (d) of this section, the owner, co-owner, or lienholder may request a final hearing by delivering to the address provided in the notice a written request for a final hearing, together with a $50.00 final hearing fee (certified check or money order). Such a request for a final hearing shall set forth a telephone number and correct address where the owner, co-owner, or lienholder may be contacted. The written notice must be received by the Police Department within the allotted time, or the right to a final hearing shall be deemed to be waived.
Within five business days of receipt of the request for a final hearing, the Police Department shall notify by hand delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, the party requesting the final hearing of the date, time and location of a final hearing to be conducted pursuant to this subsection. Notification shall be complete upon mailing. Unless continued by order of a hearing master, the final hearing shall be held no later than 15 business days after receipt of the request for final hearing. The formal rules of evidence will not apply at the final hearing and hearsay evidence is admissible. Cross examination shall be permitted and all witnesses shall be sworn. The City shall have the burden to show by clear and convincing evidence that the vehicle was used as set forth in subsection (b) of this section.
It shall be a defense that the vehicle was stolen or that the vehicle was under the control of a person other than an owner or co-owner and the owner or co-owner was not present at the time the vehicle became subject to seizure and impoundment. The owner shall have the burden of proving this defense by a preponderance of the evidence.
(2) If, after the hearing, a finding is made that the vehicle is subject to impoundment as provided herein and that none of the exceptions listed in subsection (c) of this section apply, unless the vehicle has previously been released to the owner, the hearing master shall enter an order requiring continued impoundment of the vehicle for a period not to exceed 30 days pending payment of $500.00 administrative civil penalty, plus hearing costs of $50.00 with the City, and payment of towing and storage charges to the wrecker company. If the hearing master determines that the City did not meet its burden of proof or that one of the exceptions set forth in subsection (c) of this section apply, the vehicle shall be released to the owner as soon as practical without the imposition of penalties or fees whatsoever. Any cash bond posted shall be returned.
(3) If the final hearing is not held as provided in subsection (f)(1) of this section the vehicle shall be released to the owner as soon as practical without the imposition of penalties or fees whatsoever. The owner shall not be entitled to release of the vehicle for delays in receiving notice of the final hearing absent a showing of resulting prejudice.
(g) Failure to pay fine. A failure by the owner to pay any fine assessed plus any accrued towing and storage charges within the time specified in the final order shall constitute abandonment of the vehicle. In the case where the vehicle is subject to a perfected lien, the City may release the vehicle to the lienholder upon payment of the administrative civil penalty and cost of the hearing to the City and accrued towing and storage fees to the wrecker company.
(1) If no final hearing is timely requested, the cash bond has not been posted with the Police Department, and the vehicle is subject to a perfected lien, the City may release the vehicle to the lienholder upon payment of the administrative civil penalty and accrued towing and storage fees to the wrecker company.
(2) If no final hearing is timely requested and the cash bond is not posted with the Police Department and the vehicle is not subject to a perfected lien, the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned by the owner and the vehicle shall be released to the wrecker company to satisfy the wrecker company’s lien 30 days after the date of impoundment.
(h) Settlement agreements to accomplish objective of section. The City Attorney or his designee is hereby authorized to enter into settlement agreements as may be appropriate to accomplish the objective of this section.
(i) Enforcement of provisions. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the City from enforcing the provisions of this section against a vehicle initially impounded pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
(j) Recording of order. A certified copy of the order of the hearing master imposing an administrative civil penalty and assessing towing, storage and hearing costs may be recorded in the public records of any county. Upon recording, the order shall constitute a lien against any personal property owned by the vehicle owner. Such lien shall be superior to all other liens, except a lien for taxes and shall bear interest at the rate authorized by law from the date of its filing. Upon petition to the circuit court such order may be enforced in the same manner as a court judgment by the sheriffs of this State, including levy against such personal property; however, such order shall not be deemed a court judgment except for enforcement purposes. In an action to enforce an order as provided in this section, the City shall be entitled to recover all costs, including a reasonable attorney’s fee that it incurs thereby.
(k) Appeal. The owner of the vehicle that was seized and impounded may appeal a ruling or order of the hearing master by proceeding in circuit court in accordance with Rule 9.190, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. An appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the rendition of the order to be appealed. The nature of the appeal shall be from a final administrative order.
(l) Authority to appoint hearing master. The POD is authorized to contract with an individual to perform the functions of a hearing master. Any such person with whom the POD contracts shall be designated as a hearing master and have all powers of the hearing master, as provided within this section.
(Code 1992, § 20-122; Ord. No. 350-G, § 1, 10-15-1998; Ord. No. 548-G, § 3, 9-5-2002; Ord. No. 561-G, § 1, 10-17-2002; Ord. No. 304-H, § 1, 10-5-2017).
What is St. Petersburg City Code Section 20-120?
(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:
Participant means any person participating in a public encounter, as that term is defined herein.
Public encounter means verbal communication between two or more persons which originates in the City where at least one of the parties thereto is on or in a street or highway, or on public property, or is visible from any of the foregoing places, regardless of whether any participant is in a motor vehicle.
Public property means any park, beach, pier, or other property owned by a governmental agency and open for use by the general public.
Street or highway means as defined by F.S. § 316.003, as the same may be amended from time to time. For example, without limiting the meaning of the term as so defined, the term includes but is not limited to public streets, public sidewalks, and privately owned ways or places used for vehicular travel by the owner and persons having express or implied permission from the owner, such as business invitees or licensees.
(b) Prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful for any person participating in a public encounter to:
(1) Demand or request any other participant to expose his or her sexual organ;
(2) Demand or request any female participant to expose her breast;
(3) Expose his or her sexual organ;
(4) Expose her breast if female;
(5) Fondle or touch the sexual organ of any other participant, whether or not the sexual organ is covered by clothing or any other material;
(6) Fondle or touch the breast of any female participant, whether or not the breast is covered by clothing or any other material;
(7) Demand or request any participant to fondle or touch the sexual organ of any other participant, whether or not the sexual organ is covered by clothing or other material; or
(8) Demand or request any participant to fondle or touch the breast of any female participant, whether or not the breast is covered by clothing or other material.
(c) Violation of section. Violation of this section is not contingent upon any of the participants expressly mentioning money, prostitution, any sexual act, or any euphemism for any of those terms.
(d) Exclusions. This section shall not apply to:
(1) Law Enforcement Officers who are within their jurisdiction, on duty, and otherwise engaged in law enforcement activity; or
(2) Medical personnel including physicians, nurses, and emergency responders while engaged in providing bona fide medical examination or treatment.
(e) Enforcement.
(1) This section shall be deemed applicable only to prostitution related activities and shall not be construed to prohibit otherwise lawful behavior between persons who are not involved in prostitution related activities.
(2) This section shall be enforced only when a Law Enforcement Officer is one of the participants in the public encounter. This fact need not be known to the other participants.
(Code 1992, § 20-124; Ord. No. 537-G, § 1, 5-23-2002).
What is St. Petersburg City Code Section 20-120?
Sec. 20-120. – Prostitution, sexual activity, assignation, lewdness; soliciting or manifesting an intent to solicit prostitution, sexual activity, assignation, or lewdness.
(a) This section may be referred to as the prostitution ordinance. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting mere loitering in any public place.
(b) The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) Prostitution shall have the meaning as set forth in F.S. § 796.07.
(2) Within public view means within areas generally accessible by or visible to the public, including streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, and parking lots. The term includes being within any motor vehicle on or in any area described in the preceding sentence, if the conduct is visible from outside the vehicle, whether the vehicle is moving or not. The term also includes being within any doorway or entrance to a building or dwelling or the grounds surrounding the building or dwelling, and being within any building open to the general public, including but not limited to any building in which food or drink is served or entertainment is provided. The interior enclosed portion of a structure not open to the general public shall not be considered within public view.
(3) Sexual activity shall have the meaning as set forth in F.S. § 796.07, and shall also include any act of lewdness or assignation as those terms are defined herein.
(4) Assignation means to make any appointment or engagement for prostitution or lewdness or any act in furtherance of such appointment or engagement.
(5) Lewdness means to give or receive the body for hire for an indecent or obscene act.
(6) Solicit means inducing, asking, enticing, requesting, or otherwise encouraging a person to commit a crime. The crime solicited need not be committed.
(7) Previously verified pattern of solicitation activity means the occurrence of a series of activities, in close temporal proximity to each other, three or more of which meet each of the following criteria:
a. The activities are those activities described in section 20-120(d);
b. The activities are the same activities that preceded, in close temporal proximity, a prior solicitation for prostitution, assignation or lewdness, for which the person engaging in the activities was convicted; and
c. The activities occur within two years after the date of the conviction required in subsection (b)(7)b of this section.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit, within public view, a previously verified pattern of solicitation activity.
(d) Activities that are part of a previously verified pattern of solicitation activity:
(1) The person repeatedly beckons to, stops, or attempts to stop or engage passersby in conversation;
(2) The person repeatedly stops or attempts to stop, motor vehicle operators by hailing, waiving of arms or any other bodily gesture;
(3) The person approaches a passerby or motorist, has left with that person for a short period of time, and upon return to the same area repeats this pattern with a different person;
(4) The person takes flight or tries to conceal himself or herself upon the appearance of a Law Enforcement Officer;
(5) The person gestures to, touches, or exposes his or her breast, groin or buttocks;
(6) The person inquires whether a potential patron, procurer or prostitute is a Police Officer or searches for articles that would identify a Police Officer;
(7) The person inquires of a potential patron, procurer or prostitute about an act that would constitute sexual activity;
(8) The person requests the touching or exposure of his or her breast, groin or buttocks.
(e) No Police Officer shall arrest an individual for a violation of this section for the mere act of loitering, soliciting a ride from a vehicle for hire, entering a motor vehicle, or waiving at a passing motor vehicle.
(Code 1992, § 20-120; Ord. No. 2140-F, § 1(20-64), 1-9-1992; Ord. No. 548-G, § 2, 9-5-2002).
Conclusion
The attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm represent clients in St. Petersburg, FL, charged with the most commonly prosecuted prostitution or sex-related offenses in Florida, including:
- the commission or attempted commission of an act of prostitution, assignation, or lewdness as defined in F.S. § 796.07;
- the commission of an act of solicitation for prostitution, lewdness, or assignation in violation of F.S. § 796.07;
- the commission of an unnatural or lascivious act in violation of F.S. § 800.02;
- the commission of the exposure of sexual organs in violation of F.S. § 800.03;
- the commission of a violation of any city or county ordinance relating to precursor acts facilitating prostitution.
In response to citizen complaints, the chief of police for the St. Petersburg Police Department has directed officers to increase the frequency of operations designed to curtail prostitution in the City.
That effort began in 2015 when members of the St. Petersburg Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit began conducting undercover prostitution operations.
Since then, the officers have been making arrests and impounding vehicles under the City of St. Petersburg City Ordinance 20-122.
The vehicles impounded are subject to a $500 hundred dollar civil administrative penalty for the sex-related offense. However, a person can contest the taking during a hearing in which the undercover officer must testify and the criminal defense attorney can question the undercover officer under oath.
If you were charged with Solicitation for Prostitution or Prohibited Pre-Cursor Acts Facilitation Prostitution as a result of one of these sting operations, then contact an attorney at the Sammis Law Firm.
Contact us to discuss your case and the best defense. Call (813) 250-0500 today.
This article was last updated on Monday, June 20, 2022.
