- The Law Offices of Russo & Russo, P. A. - Pinellas Criminal Defense Weblog

Sin Tax Hypocrisy...States Look the Other Way in Exchange for Tax Revenue

Struggling State Governments See
Dollar Signs With New Sin Taxes

In 2007, Texas began requiring strip club patrons to pony up a $5 entrance fee state tax to see nude dancers. Texas state lawmakers predicted the tax would raise more than $44 million for programs that would benefit rape victims, while others decried tying the strip club industry to sex crimes. The so-called “pole tax” has raised $13.6 Million for the state so far.

Texas lawmakers claimed they were not trying to demonize the industry or legislate morality. But critics have accused the state of hypocrisy. On one hand, state officials claim to be concerned about crimes associated with alcohol and live nudity, such as exposure of sexual organs / lewd or lascivious conduct , solicitation for prostitution, or disorderly conduct . But on the other, they remain willing to overlook the very thing they condemn if imposing a tax on it means adding to the bottom line.

Critics of the tax have argued that the law was truly motivated by the state's desire to make easy money. In a time when no politician wants to be associated with raising taxes, it's easy to see why targeting businesses like strip clubs seems like a good idea. Demand would likely remain strong, and any cash-strapped state could receive a sudden influx of cash with little protest from voters.

Targeting adult businesses to raise cash in tough times is nothing new. Proponents argue that the strip club tax would just be taking “sin taxes” beyond the realm of alcohol or tobacco. In the past five years, lawmakers from California to Kansas have suggested special taxes on pornography, escort services, exotic dance clubs and other adult businesses. A U.S. senator even brought up the idea of a federal tax on Internet porn.

The Texas Entertainment Association has now brought the "pole tax" fight to the Texas Supreme Court arguing that the tax on strip clubs amounts to an unconstitutional restriction of free speech. Lawyers and legislators across the country will be watching to see if the “pole tax” survives the scrutiny of the Texas court as Florida and other states consider imposing similar taxes to resolve budget short falls.

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The Law Offices of Russo & Russo
Former State Prosecutors
877 Executive Center Drive West Suite #112
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

You Can Visit our Criminal Defense Website for additional information at: www.defensehelp.com

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Related Links:

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A sin we sip instead of smoke

Possible solutions to St. Petersburg, Clearwater - Pinellas County criminal charges

Technorati Tags: Sin tax,Solicitation for prostitution,exposure sexual organs,lewd and lascivious,florida,st. petersburg,clearwater,lawyer,attorney,disorderly conduct,strip club,pole tax

Supporting Prostitution May Mean Unwittingly Supporting Human Trafficking

Up until now, it has been safe to say that the prostitutes in Pinellas County have been solo practitioners of sorts.  While some have “pimps” to guide their business and offer protection, the Pinellas Park Beacon speculates that most Pinellas prostitutes are “freelancers” who have had to fend for themselves. However, the recent emergence of human trafficking offenses in the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area suggests that a third category of prostitution now competes for business in the Tampa Bay area. “Human Trafficking Prostitution,” is now a growing segment of the world’s oldest profession. 

On May 9, 2009, Pinellas County deputies arrested three people who have been accused of running a human trafficking operation out of a Treasure Island home.  Human traffickers lure their victims, usually young foreign women, with promises of work and security.  Once the traffickers have control over their unsuspecting targets, they force the women into prostitution, pornography, and other forms of slavery.  The three people recently arrested in Treasure Island are accused of allegedly using physical and mental abuse in order to coerce their captives into working as both prostitutes and dancers at local strip clubs.

Sadly, human trafficking is a very lucrative business that is said to be on the rise in Florida. According to the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights at Florida State University, Florida is considered to be among the top three destinations for human traffickers.  People who choose to secure the services of a prostitute are unlikely to be able to distinguish whether the woman is a self-employed "entrepreneur" working freely and voluntarily or a captive victim of servitude and abuse.    

This dramatic change in the prostitution industry can greatly affect the moral and legal implications for customers (“johns”) who wrongly assume they were soliciting a  prostitute whom they believed to be acting of free will. Having a prosecutor inform the judge that your offense contributed to the Human Trafficking trade could have serious negative consequences. If you find yourself charged with "Solicitation for Prostitution" under Florida Statutes Section 796.07(2)(i), it is therefore important to immediately speak with an experienced St. Petersburg / Clearwater attorney.

We are Pinellas County lawyers who can discuss with you solutions that avoid formal conviction or result in having the charge dismissed. We can discuss with you effective tactics designed to avoid post arrest publicity and the ultimately sealing or expungement of your criminal records.

Call our office for a free consultation to discuss all of your possible options at (727) 578-0303.

The Law Offices of Russo & Russo
Former State Prosecutors
Corner of 9th Street and Gandy Blvd.
Glades Building, Baypoint Commerce Center
877 Executive Center Drive West, Suite #112
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Visit our extensive Criminal Defense Website at:  www.defensehelp.com

Click here if your solicitation of prostitution arrest also involves a charge of exposure of sexual organs.

Technorati Tags: Solicitation of Prostitution,Human Trafficking,Florida Crimes and Offeses,Sex Offenses