Pandering

Pandering is the crime of recruiting and promoting a prostitute, finding a place of business where prostitution is encouraged (such as a street corner, hotel room or brothel), inducing or encouraging another to become a prostitute by violence, threats, or promises, or soliciting customers for a prostitute. Pandering is a felony in California and prosecuted under Penal Code section 266(i). Pandering is punishable in state prison for three to six years if the prostitute was 16 years or older and three to eight years when the prostitute is under 16 years of age. A pandering conviction involving a minor under 16 years of age requires sex offense registration in California.

One of the most famous pandering cases involved Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss who was convicted of tax evasion and pandering. She was sentenced to 37 months in prison for her crimes. Jody Gibson ("Baby Doll") was another "Madam." She was an associate of Heidi Fleiss, and was convicted in Los Angeles of three counts of pimping and sentenced in May 2000 to three years in state prison. Jody "Baby Doll" Gibson's trial jury deadlocked on the pandering charges.

If you or someone you know is facing Pandering charges consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn what legal options are available.