I have an aquaintance who wishes to become a provider; however, she is wanting to know how to avoid problems with the dreaded LE, (you'd think they have more important things to do).  She is thinking of setting it up where she meets the client at a coffee shop.  The client would then present her with a "gift"($) in exchange for her time.  After some chat, she would suggest they get a place, since she finds him so attractive.  From here they would proceed to a motel and have a good time....all along, no mention of an exchange of $ for services.  From a legal standpoint, can she get in trouble with this approach??  Any advice would be appreciated.

Well, David7, there are several problems with the approach.  You have to think of the provider/hobbyist relationship as a whole picture rather than pieces of a puzzle.  If your friend has a website, that's where LE starts the investigation.  They then look at sites like TER and Big Doggie for any reviews of your friend.  Armed with that information, they will then call your friend in an effort to set up an appointment.  The discussion between the provider and hobbyist is but a small piece of the puzzle and, even though sexual terms are not discussed or are discussed where no money is exchanged, the process is called circumstantial evidence.  There are links in a chain by which the conclusion leads to an agreement to exchange money for sex.  For example, if your friend has an appointment with a hobbyist (LE) at a coffee shop and they discuss a donation for time, the fact that they wind up in a motel and they begin to engage in a sexual act is evidence of a continuing pattern of conduct that began with a telephone call and ended with an invitation to have sex.  Add to this any lotions and condoms that they find in your friend's purse as well as the "premarked" cash coupled with the website and reviews and you have enough evidence to at least argue to a jury that the crime of prostitution has been committed.  Top it off with the propensity of LE to lie in their reports and the fact that they (LE) will testify as "expert witnesses" as to certain terminology that was used in the conversation leading up to the motel encounter and you have a strong probability that the jury will convict your friend.  Where LE starts to screw up is when they tell the unnecessary lies or has a tape which is garbled or not clear in the transcription.  It takes courage to take LE on in a court of law but they are beatable and have a tendency to overstep their bounds (Can you say Rampart Division of the L.A.P.D.?) It's when you catch them that it gets particularly sweet because it impairs their credibility and sticks in the mind of the public.  Tell you friend to be careful, start out slowly, and have her wits about her. Regards, levendi

I have not approached a "provider" as of yet, because I am too afraid of being arrested. I just read this post and I thought maybe levendi, or someone else out there, might be able to answer some questions.

First, it seems as if there is no way that people can post comments on here about these ladies, and not be getting caught? I mean I would like to meet some of these women and have some enjoyment, but it almost seems to good to be true. This leads to my most important question, which is how do you go about meeting someone and not get caught? Like what steps should a person take, what should someone say, or not say, and are there any ways to tell if you are being set up? Obviously you don't ask questions about sex and need to be cautious, but aren't there ways to protect yourself better? In the above reply it sounds as if you are going to be charged with something whether things fall through or not. Well I hope someone of the experts out there might give me some advice. Peace, Mymouse.

Lavendi..has wise words..being on both sides for many a year..this logic is very true..Intent is something that can easily be defined with your coffee shop visit..and action.

I have been defeated by creative attorneys when on that side..It comes down to common sense..LE does not have to disclose who they are..and do lie..Perhaps we should convince LE to spend more time working on finding the evil types who threaten our world as we know it.

I am clearly not a legal expert but I do know a great deal about "risk management".  Engaging in the hobby brings with it clear and definable risks.  I think most folks take all precautions and do as much research as possible.  If you can't get enough data on a provider, do not choose to visit them.  
Also, practice the old rule of "if it sounds too good or too bad to be true, it probably isn't true".  Go with your gut and do everything you can to mitigate your risks but in the end, decide if you can honestly accept the consequences if you get caught.

If you are new to the hobby and you haven't already done so, check out the escort guide section on TER.  It provides some good background information for pursuing your interest.

I appreciate the complement LD.  The advantage that we lawyers have is that we cannot afford the luxury of a predetermined mindset so prevalent amongst our LE antagonists.  We have to somehow keep a step ahead and really focus on what the issues are.  In the long run, these kinds of cases are not significant and can be used to attack LE as "stat builders" for the purpose of obtaining higher budgets and funding lucrative pension plans.  As you can see, the "three strikes" law was recently ruled as cruel and unusual punishment and, therefore, unconstitutional in some instances.  Our country is facing far more serious threats than the "moral" assault that our providers and hobbyists engage in.  That's why we need to keep each other informed of what LE is doing.  They (LE) haven't conquered the world's oldest profession since its inception and they sure as hell aren't going to do it in today's world of the internet and other technological processes.  Ultimately, this law will be decriminalized just like marijuana regardless of what the feds do.  There isn't enough resource to throw at what is perceived to be the problem.  That's why I keep telling those who are "caught" to fight the charge in court.  The court system is burgeoning at the seams already.  Courts place far more emphasis on felonies than they do on misdemeanors and, almost always, deals are available.  Don't give into the fear of fighting the system.  Patience and a little monetary investment have their reward.  Regards, levendi

when I was ticketed (although the case was later dismissed) the statement that LE made when I said that I hadn't solicited anything or done more than removed my clothing....was that I had agreed by placing the money in my purse...since they had contacted me via e-mail and had my information about pricing etc. printed out my placing the money in my purse was agreeing to the solicitation of the officer...he had said to me "so If I would like a bj and a massage that would be o.k?" and I had responded that it was his time to spend however...that is when the troops came in....sooo I no longer collect until afterwards....yes it is a risk but from what I have been led to understand is that if I haven't been paid there isn't a crime...and if le goes through with the actions involved in a session then most likely the case will get thrown out....Is this correct? I was led to believe that it was by my attorney although he didn't of course tell me how to commit so to speak....

HI there

I would just like to say I visit Windsor Ontario Canada which is just over the bridge from Detroit.  This profession is legal here, that is why all my clients are from the US. Detroit, Chicago, Ohio, Indiana, LA etc. come to visit me here, you see there is nothing to worry about here we are licensed.  We go through a police clearance and then after paying a fee of course we are issued a license through the city.  Oh the pleasures of living in Canada.  That was my first point.  I am Carmen Colins of Sugar and Spice we do travel to different US cities and are thinking of visiting some other places but being arrested is not my thing.  I was reading on the Vegas board about a SP going to see a client nothing was discussed and no money was exchanged and she was still arrested, now tell me will she still get charged?  Any help on this question would be appreciated.  On a happier note we are thinking of visiting your city let me know your thoughts. For those of you who have not heard of me or my partner just refer to our website, for pics go to gallery and click on Carmen for any other info just follow the steps.  Hope to hear from you soon. www.taylorspice.com

Hugs
Carmen Colins
[email protected]

How does this idea sound?  If you are a provider, insist that before you discuss anything that the client show you his member.

I'm not sure even that would work. LE would probably still arrest you, lie about it later, and hope that they could plea bargain you later to plead guilty to some sort of misdemeanor. Sorry to be so cynical.

Thanks Levendi.....great advice.  She does plan on starting slow. She actually has a couple of girls who will work for her; she's trying to be very discreet and carefull.  Thanks again.