I responded to an ad on the TER, got to a low-end motel in OC. Typical 2 call system, got to room and gal was there with "friend". She was another young gal drying her hair. Something didn't feel right, I said I changed my mind and left. I was pulling out of parking lot and vice squad pulled in behind me and lit up their lights. Gave my ID, they asked me what I was doing, and I indicated I had come for a massage, but changed my mind. They let me go. I suspect it was a sting operation, or just bad luck. This experience terrified me, and it scared me into going back to match.com.
Question 1- Do you think this was a unhappy coincidence or a sting?
Question 2- If I had talked about money on the phone, would that have been the end of me?
Question 3- If I had "stayed" and then have been rousted after I left, what would have been the safest thing to say, or is there nothing to be said to defend oneself.
Question 4-any suggestions on how to make this less problematic?
Thanks for directing your question specifically to me. I take that as a compliment, and I appreciate it.
My thoughts:
1. This isn't a question about the law. I believe it was a sting, but there's no reason to think my answer is any better than anyone else's.
2. Not literally. And maybe not metaphorically, either. People discuss money over the phone all the time. It's only a problem if they discuss exchanging money for illegal services, though such aspects of the conversation can be implicit. Since I don't know what you said that's the best I can do. Of course, this presumes that my answer to part 1 is correct. If it isn't, then it probably wouldn't have mattered what you said.
3. You are asking for advice about how to get away with a crime, and attorneys are forbidden to give such advice. Sorry.
4. See my answer to part 3.
I have asked several lawyers about escorting and some don't know enough and the rest refuse to give out advice on how I can continue to escort. I did find this one site that is "supposedly written by a lawyer" and I read it with my guard up.
I am curious if anyone on this board know this guy or if he is legit.
His name is Marc Perkel
I'm not a lawyer but I think some of Perkel's comments are way off base regarding legal culpability of the hobbyist.
Here's what he says about escort services (agencies):
"Most clients of escort services are regular clients and most of these regular clients use the same escorts every time. Many of them have seen these same escorts over a period of years..... When sexual contact occurs with a regular client, they are having sex in the context of a personal relationship. If sexual contact is involved, it is not the cold anonymous sex as depicted on television. ...And sexual contact in the context of a long term surrogate relationship with a regular client is not what the legislature intended to prevent when they wrote the laws on prostitution."
So, according to Perkel, when the vice cops bust in the room, you tell them you're great friends with a close relationship...and therefore can't possibly be breaking the law.
I'm sure that will really convince the cops--NOT.
Much better to stick to the lawyers here on TER who truly know the score.
I'm not a lawyer but an exchange of money is still an exchange.
Hugs,
Ciara
exercise that right.
The answers to questions 3 & 4 are to say nothing. I am always amazed at how many times people find themselves obligated to say something to the police. Give them your pedigree information (name, address, date of birth) and then utter the magic words: "I want a lawyer." Then stay mute until you can make the phone call for the lawyer or a public advocate arrives.