Over 500+ Successful Court Cases & Counting: See Reviews ➔
500+ Successful Court Cases & Counting: See Reviews ➔

At Bilecki Law Group, We believe every service member has earned their right to an aggressive defense on their day in court. We specialize in taking the fight to the prosecution and winning cases that others said were unwinnable.

A service member in the United States military who trades goods or services in exchange for sex, or facilitates that exchange for his own benefit, could find himself facing charges under Article 134 of the UCMJ, which governs all acts of prostitution and pandering.   Both prostitution and pandering are considered serious offenses which could have a devastating impact on the service member’s military career and civilian future. If a service member does not take immediate precautionary measures, he or she could face a dishonorable discharge, the loss of his or her military benefits, and a prison sentence that could extend out for years.

  • A punitive discharge is commonplace with charges of pandering and prostitution and could lead to the loss of your rank, title, and all military benefits.
  • The loss of your pay and allowances could be a devastating blow to your family’s finances. You may even be forced to pay back your reenlistment bonus, which could leave you in debt thousands of dollars.
  • You may be facing a maximum prison sentence that could last anywhere from a year to five years or longer depending on whether or not you face additional charges.

This is not the time to pull your punches. If you face pandering or prostitution charges, then hiring an experienced attorney may be the smartest decision you will ever make.

What Is Article 134 (Pandering and Prostitution) of the UCMJ?

All of the UCMJ articles (77-134) requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt a handful of critical assumptions—known as elements—to convict you of a crime. All charges related to pandering and prostitution can be found under Article 134 of the UCMJ. Four such offenses exist, each with a separate set of elements which must be proven:

  1. Prostitution
    • That the accused engaged in a sexual act with another person, not the accused’s spouse;
    • That the accused did so for the purpose of receiving money or other compensation;
    • That this act was wrongful; and
    • That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
  2. Patronizing a prostitute
    • That the accused engaged in a sexual act with another person not the accused’s spouse;
    • That the accused compelled, induced, enticed, or procured such person to engage in a sexual act in exchange for money or other compensation;
    • That this act was wrongful; and
    • That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
  3. Pandering by inducing, enticing, or procuring act of prostitution
    • That the accused induced, enticed, or procured a certain person to engage in a sexual act for hire and reward with a person to be directed to said person by the accused;
    • That this inducing, enticing, or procuring was wrongful; and
    • That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
  4. Pandering by arranging or receiving consideration for arranging for a sexual act
    • That the accused arranged for or received, valuable consideration for arranging for, a certain person to engage in a sexual act with another person;
    • That the arranging (and receipt of consideration) was wrongful; and
    • That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

Summary of the Elements of Article 134 (Pandering and Prostitution): The act of paying for or receiving pay for sexual intercourse is illegal under Article 134 of the UCMJ. Similarly, the act of facilitating, arranging, or advertising prostitution (known as pandering) is also illegal.    

Law enforcement believes they have all the evidence they need to convict you. Perhaps they saw money exchange hands. Or you were busted by an undercover agent in a sting operation.

Regardless of how you came to be charged, they know the odds of a conviction are in their favor 9 times out of 10. And they have you believe there is little you can do to sway the outcome.

But while law enforcement is preparing an open and shut case, you are out searching for an experienced military defense attorney—one with a reputation for securing positive outcomes for their clients, and beating the odds over and over again.

Summary of the Elements of Article 134 (Pandering and Prostitution): The act of paying for or receiving payment for sexual intercourse is illegal under Article 134 of the UCMJ. Similarly, the act of facilitating, arranging, or advertising prostitution (known as pandering) is also illegal.

Request A Free Case Evaluation

Law enforcement believes they have all the evidence they need to convict you. Perhaps they saw money exchange hands. Or you were busted by an undercover agent in a sting operation. Regardless of how you came to be charged, they know the odds of a conviction are in their favor 9 times out of 10. And they have you believe there is little you can do to sway the outcome.

But while law enforcement is preparing an open and shut case, you are out searching for an experienced military defense attorney—one with a reputation for securing positive outcomes for their clients, and beating the odds over and over again.

Bilecki Law Group has helped hundreds of service members just like you fight back against the military’s conviction machine. We have secured favorable outcomes time and again thanks to the experience of our attorneys and the resources at our disposal.   It’s for these and many other reasons that you must hire the most experienced military defense attorney possible to advocate for you in court. And when it comes to experience, resources, and global reach, few military defense law firms are as experienced and reputable as Bilecki Law Group.   Let’s take a look at all of these benefits in more detail:

  • Trial experience: Combined, Tim Bilecki and Bilecki Law Group have over 35 years of criminal trial experience. Our winning record proves we consistently obtain great results for our clients.
  • On staff full-time investigator: Even the best attorneys rely on the talent and expertise of a team to secure consistently positive results. This is why we have we have a full-time investigator with over 30 years of law enforcement experience on staff.
  • Global reach and fast response times: Bilecki Law Group is strategically located in Honolulu, Hawaii, in close proximity to military installations in Hawaii, South Korea, Okinawa, and Japan. We also have experience dealing with prostitution matters arising out of the Philippines and Thailand.

Charges of prostitution or pandering could leave you behind bars for years. One call to Bilecki Law Group may be all it takes to change the outcome. Contact us today to schedule your confidential consultation.   

Contact Bilecki Law Group

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Experienced Military Defense Lawyers for Article 134 Charges

For charges as serious as prostitution or pandering, you will need an attorney who has fought beside hundreds of service members and secured positive results on a consistent basis. The alternative could be a raw deal that is barely better than a maximum sentence.   Feel free to review Bilecki Law Group case history, then call us to schedule your confidential consultation today.  

man and woman in tunnel

Bilecki Law Group will help you fight back against charges under Article 134: Pandering and Prostitution

UCMJ Article 87b

Frequently Asked Questions About article 134: (Pandering and Prostitution)

An accused’ maximum sentence will depend on the type of offense committed under Article 134 of the UCMJ.   Prostitution and patronizing a prostitute

  • Reduction to E-1
  • Forfeiture of all pay and allowances
  • A dishonorable discharge
  • Confinement for up to 1 year

Pandering

  • Reduction to E-1
  • Forfeiture of all pay and allowances
  • Confinement for 5 years
  • Dishonorable discharge
  • What Is Pandering According to the UCMJ?

Pandering is the act of advertising or facilitating any form of indecent behavior. A pimp who manages multiple prostitutes would be considered a panderer. A mamasan at a go-go bar on Burgos street in Manila may also be considered a panderer under the UCMJ.  

If you are stationed abroad, we can help. We have been helping service members fight back against accusations of pandering and prostitution for years and in countries around the globe, including the Philippines and Thailand.

Don’t just plead guilty… Fight Back !