Criminal Law, University of Minnesota

Read People v. Watson, No. 90962 (Ohio 2120 2009). In Watson, the defendant was convicted of compelling prostitution. The defendant appealed on the grounds that the proper interpretation of compelling prostitution under the Ohio statute requires force, duress, or coercion and the defendant merely arranged it so that the prostitute had no money for shelter, clothes, and food if she did not continually commit prostitution. Did the Court of Appeals of Ohio uphold the defendant’s conviction? Why or why not?    

Sample Solution

 

Yes, the Court of Appeals of Ohio upheld the defendant's conviction for compelling prostitution. The court held that the proper interpretation of compelling prostitution under the Ohio statute does not require force, duress, or coercion. The court found that the defendant's actions in arranging it so that the prostitute had no money for shelter, clothes, and food if she did not continually commit prostitution constituted compelling prostitution under the statute.

The court reasoned that the statute's purpose was to protect victims of prostitution and to deter prostitution. The court found that the defendant's actions placed the prostitute in a situation where she felt compelled to engage in prostitution in order to meet her basic needs. The court also found that the defendant's actions were predatory and that he took advantage of the prostitute's vulnerability.

Full Answer Section

     

The court's decision in Watson is consistent with other cases that have interpreted similar statutes. In other cases, courts have held that a defendant can be convicted of compelling prostitution even if the defendant did not use force, duress, or coercion. In these cases, the courts have found that the defendant's actions created a situation where the victim felt compelled to engage in prostitution.

The Watson decision is an important one because it expands the scope of the compelling prostitution statute. The decision makes it clear that a defendant can be convicted of compelling prostitution even if the defendant did not use force, duress, or coercion. This is important because it means that prosecutors can charge defendants with compelling prostitution in a wider range of cases.

The Watson decision is also important because it clarifies the meaning of the term "compelling prostitution." The decision makes it clear that the term does not require force, duress, or coercion. This is important because it provides prosecutors and courts with a clearer understanding of the law.

Overall, the Watson decision is a significant one that will have a major impact on the prosecution of compelling prostitution cases in Ohio.

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