Log in

View Full Version : I got fucking arrested at work



Pages : 1 [2]

GnBeret
09-12-2004, 02:54 AM
I kept digging a bit for you. There appears to be a Seattle attorney named James Egan who has already had some success fighting charges against exotic dancers. You might want to look this guy up and have a consultation before you agree to anything !

http://www.thestranger.com/2001-10-11/city3.html


He also said that with deferred prosecution, if you do not get another offense in 90 days, it does NOT go on your record. Is this not true? I would think it was, because that's the meaning of the word deferred. When I got a speeding ticket when I was 16, I went to court and got it deferred so that if I did not recieve another moving violation in a year, it would not go on my record. I didn't, and it didn't.

These sorts of things vary a lot from state to state, so it's entirely possible that you are correct. From a legal standpoint, a deferred prosecution simply means that a charge has been made, that the charge has not been dropped, but the charge is held in 'legal limbo' without proceeding to trial for a finding of the person's actual innocence or guilt. In a few places, the law allows for deferred prosecutions of charges to simply disappear after a certain amount of time. In other places, the law allows the accused in a deferred prosecution to bring a court action to have her record expunged (at her own expense) after a certain amount of time has passed. In still other places, "sex crime" charges are excepted from expungement, either automatic or via court motion.

Re "deferred prosecutions"... Si, but there's an even worse possibility you need to check on ASAP - in some states, it will function just as Mel's described (meaning one of and/or a combination thereof), but it'll come with one small "caveat" they might neglect to tell you about... that being: expungement, etc., aside, it can still be used against you in any future criminal prosecutions, such that you're considered a "multiple offender" for a variety of purposes, including sentencing.

Call the atty Melonie found for you 1st thing this morning. Seriously. This is YOUR case and YOUR life. DO NOT just kick-back and "assume" your best interests are being protected by anyone else. You're the client - he tells you what all of your options are, at every stage of the game, and then YOU make the choice as to which course of action will likely be best for yourself and INSTRUCT him to pursue same. Nine times out of ten the options he's advising you to take will be both best for you and what you'd have chosen on your own if you understood it all..., but the ONLY way to know for sure is to ask questions, make him expain, and then watch to make sure he's doing just as you instructed.

Melonie
09-12-2004, 06:20 AM
that being: expungement, etc., aside, it can still be used against you in any future criminal prosecutions, such that you're considered a "multiple offender" for a variety of purposes, including sentencing.

Yup, absolutely true. There is a very real difference when a court "seals" someone's record, i.e. having a particular charge against a person and the disposition of that charge "sealed" from view by private investigators, potential 'straight' employers etc. but still present on the person's record and viewable by judges and certain law enforcement agencies. Green Beret is absolutely correct that, in terms of future court appearances, the "sealed" record of a previous charge and disposition is actually an 'open book' where the judge and DA are concerned. This can indeed translate into larger fines or perhaps jail time if the same person is busted in the future for the same (or related) charge as the first charge and disposition, even though records are "sealed", will indeed count as a previous offense.

On the other hand, when records are "expunged", the court actually orders that a person's charge and disposition record be totally removed. In this way, an "expunged" charge will NOT be present in any form on a person's criminal record and therefore cannot be used against the person in future court proceedings. It has been my own experience that 'expungement' is not an automatic thing, and requires that the person's attorney bring a motion before the court in a new proceeding, seeking the judge to issue an 'expungement' order on a previous charge.

'Expungement' is actually better than being found innocent, believe it or not. If a charge is made against a person, and later that person is found to be not guilty by a judge or jury, the fact that the original charge was made remains on that person's criminal record. Given the way that dancers licensing laws are written in different cities, a girl who was bogusly charged and later found innocent but whose original charge still appears on her record may still be denied a dancer's license for a certain period of time in some cities. In contrast, if the charge and disposition had been "expunged", then there is nothing on her record to be used as grounds to deny a dancer's license.

Melonie
09-12-2004, 06:35 AM
So what are we going to do about it ?? Other than bitch and complain about on here of course . I live here in Washington too now and I have been takin aback by all this . I can't make money here and you know hwo is really getting the best of us THE CUSTOMERS not that it's their fault but think of it they get more when no one is looking because it's the only way we can money . They sit around for hours with their soda and watch us on stage with out tipping because they really can't and then they one dance and get off and get out !! thanks guys

Well anyways I don't plan on dancing for much longer but for the rest of the dancers out there we should do something !! Any suggestions !?!?

I have only two suggestions which are really effective given the fact that local politicians of both parties are hesitant to make any sort of a public showing which is supportive of dancers and strip clubs, given the fact that there are always a significant number of local citizens who do not support the concept of strip clubs and who do not want one in their own backyard, and given the fact that serious legal appeals of anti-dance club ordinances cost huge amounts of money and still fail more than half the time ...

#1 - abide by the local law. If dancer income drops to the point of a WalMart clerk, you're then better off to quit dancing and go to work for WalMart. At least you're building a work history for your resume, Social Security and disability benefits etc.

#2 - pack up and move to a new city where the local laws and local economy make decent dancer earnings possible

Unfortunately, in similar situations, many girls choose 'door number three' - i.e. start bending the law or throwing the law out the window altogether in order to continue to earn decent money. After all, customers clearly expect this. Clubowners generally tolerate it, since the club's income is directly related to a continuing stream of happy customers paying cover charges, buying drinks, and often buying private dances as well (if the club collects a percentage). Local law enforcement usually tolerates it as well - at least until an election year rolls around, until a particular local politician or preacher gets a bug up their butt etc.

But unfortunately, when dancers are operating in 'door number three' mode, they are indeed vulnerable to being busted, to being charged with a "real crime", and to having the record of that charge follow them around for the rest of their lives. By my own observations, operating in 'door number three' mode for long periods of time usually causes the local strip club scene to degenerate into a vicious circle of dancers being busted, dancers getting attorneys and paying fines, dancers doing more and more bending of the law to cover the costs of fines and legal fees, customers then expecting more and more bending of the law, and dancers being busted again. It's sadly ironic that new laws intended to 'clean up' strip clubs actually wind up driving out clean dancers and leaving the club scene 'dirtier' than before.


I am from NJ, and I have seen dancers arrested for taking dollars in their breasts. That is considered prositution here. When there is a crack down on these clubs, they will find a reason to make arrests. Usually they look the other way, but there are times when a point is being made.

Also, to keep things in perspective, the discussions in this thread indicate to me that anti-dance club laws in Washington State are more lenient and easier to work with than most other states ! NJ and lots of other states wind up charging dancers under state prostitution laws rather than city anti-dance club ordinances, even though what the dancers actually did bears no resemblance whatsoever to the classical definition of acts of prostitution. Besides misdemeanor charges and big fines/potential jail time for repeat busts, this can potentially bring such things as "sex offender" reporting requirements into the picture (i.e you move to a new apartment, and are required to knock on every new neighbor's door and inform them that you are a "sex offender" - which immediately results in 90 percent of your new neighbors hating your guts, and the other 10 percent asking you how much you charge !).

scarlett_vancouver
09-12-2004, 09:18 AM
Rather than it having to do with politics in general, I wonder if sometimes clubs pay off the police department and if they stop doing so the police may crack down on them.


ding ding ding! There's a club here that gets away with f'ing MURDER- smoking in the club, not paying dancers, tax fraud/bogus deductions ('charitable donation' taken off pay!), prostitution ring...I've sent in anonymous reports (I hate this club, it's a shit hole and drags the rest of the clubs down), with zero action (and it's only a few blocks from the main cop shop in Van). Meanwhile, clean clubs get harassed up the wazoo for dumb shit like girls giving out promo posters (technically illegal if the girl is naked when she throws it out).

We definitely get harassed on stupid issues up here, but I don't know of any arrests ever occuring. The cops will come in to the clubs often enough, but they just kind of stand at the back watching, and then leave after 20-30 minutes. It's pretty fucking awesome when the next girl up is quick and puts on her cop outfit :D

charliechan
09-12-2004, 10:08 AM
Hey Scarlett;

I know the club you are referring to: The Royal D**** in Vancouver.

A former bartender, (who used to work at the Marble Arch, before it became a karaoke joint) was photographed behind the bar for their advertising brochure. He quit a couple of years ago.

There is a huge four page spread in the Vancouver Sun on Saturday that lays out the Hells Angels ownership of businesses in B.C. That club is on the list. Check it out.

Unless you subscribe to the on-line version of the Vancouver Sun, you'll have to buy the paper or go the library or nearest coffee bar to read the details. These guys have their fingers in all kinds of businesses.

Guess that sort of gives me pause to know that they control this club and also the only two agencies which book dancers in B.C.

I frequent the Number 5 Orange instead, which is right across the street from the Provincial Court House and half a block away from the police station on Main Street.

I've never seen you dance at the "Five". Is there a reason for that?

Charles

ladysummer
09-12-2004, 01:12 PM
Girly I am so sorry that happened. I know that many cops look for any excuse to arrest or harass dancers just trying to do their jobs. Keep your head up and good luck!!! :)

MojoJojo
09-12-2004, 02:08 PM
On the other hand...it beats the Hell out of it being enforced 365.

A.n.a.l.a.
09-12-2004, 03:28 PM
Ohio's laws are the same way. According to the law, if you do anything that can arouse someone, and it is for money, then it is considered prostitution. Anything.
ookkkaaayyy so according to the laws if the yahoo in line at blockbuster gets a hardon looking at you, you're a hooker. that makes a lot of sense (not)! damn morality police! ::)

shesupsidedown
09-12-2004, 04:25 PM
Seattle is HELL!
I dont know how you and others I have known deal with that repressive enviroment....
I am so sorry you went through that...
so sad the police have nothing better to do with their time....

threlayer
09-12-2004, 09:09 PM
Maybe this forum could develop a warning city / state list. A list of the worst places to work due to legal actions, policies, laws, etc.
Seems like each city has its own particular list of illegal acts and forbidden business types. For example in conservative Syracuse strip clubs are not bothered much, though body rubs were run out of the city into the suburbs. But in more liberal Rochester and Buffalo the strip clubs are regulated to be lame but body rubs and escort agencies are able to exist there and around the area. I know some of this is irrelevant, but it serves to show differences in local tolerance which I believe dancers should know before settling in.

voodoo
09-13-2004, 10:51 AM
Ohio's laws are the same way. According to the law, if you do anything that can arouse someone, and it is for money, then it is considered prostitution. Anything.


Cops in uniform turn me on, and since I pay them with taxes does that mean they're prostitutes?
:\

VADEN
09-13-2004, 11:28 AM
Cops in uniform turn me on, and since I pay them with taxes does that mean they're prostitutes?
:\

LMAO.... :rotfl:

Tigerlilly
09-13-2004, 11:45 AM
These laws are written so loosely for a reason-- so politians can interpet them anyway they wish to improve their voter numbers.

I call these raids witchhunts because that's pretty much what they are :(

The only thing a dancer can really do to protect herself is know the laws ande follow them. Sometimes even that isn't enough but it sure does help.

Basically the cleaner dancer you are and/or the cleaner the club you are working in the safer you are-- that's why I advocate no contact upscale clubs . No club is 100% safe but the odds are usally in your favor in that enviroment.

StardogChampion
09-13-2004, 12:13 PM
..........

pimpy718
09-16-2004, 01:15 AM
That fuckin sucks babe! I wrote about this a long time ago 'cause it happened to a friend of mine at Rick's in the beginning of the summer. She gave dude in Rick's standards a clean $30 dance. She flashed, he fondled, touched her legs and buttocks and then the cops came and arrested her at the end of the dance. He bought two dances. The difference between you and her is that she went to jail. All the girls I know from Rick's have gone to jail for this 'misconduct' and then they get released a few hours later. WELL, she went to court and everything like a month ago and here's what happened.

Officer Friendly said she did a bunch of stuff in the dance that she didn't and it was basically him against the big bad stripper. However, the guy who she danced for wasn't a cop and since all the information wasn't added by an actual officer (Who can't report 'cause the police didn't get a dance) her whole charge and everything was DISMISSED. I don't know if you've appealed your lisence being suspended, but if you don't do it in I think 10 days, you won't be dancing for awhile so I'd get that taken care of. I would also check this out

http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?d=CODE&s1=6.270.100.snum.&Sect5=CODE1&Sect6=HITOFF&l=20&p=1&u=/~public/code1.htm&r=1&f=G

Seattle Municipal Code for Standards of Code and Conduct in Washington State regarding exotic dancing. I'm really sorry once again to hear that. I don't know how much conversation you kick to your customers, but when I danced in Washington, I was scared out of my mind to get arrested. So I'd always ask (What's your name? Where you from? What do you do for a living? What's that like? How long have you been doing it? How long have you lived in Seattle?) and I would also consider these are common questions from cops (how much are your dances? what do you do? do you have any tatoos? and in washington, they will usually mark the money and try to pay you cash first.) Cops are weirdos out here, I don't know it all 'cause I haven't been arrested, but I really hope you don't get a bad wrap or a record. Good luck babe

RYAN
09-16-2004, 05:21 PM
"I got fucking arrested at work"

at least it wasn't

"I got arrested fucking at work"

Vanessa777
09-18-2004, 05:35 PM
Maybe this forum could develop a warning city / state list. A list of the worst places to work due to legal actions, policies, laws, etc.
Seems like each city has its own particular list of illegal acts and forbidden business types. .



THIS IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA. I have been perusing this forum looking for info on Orlando because Tampa and St. Pete are just too risky. I have a professional day job, but I have goals (payoff credit card debt, save a few grand) that are not met by my $45K day job. I just want to go work weekends for a few months & I miss dancing. But every "real" job I have ever had has done a background check. I hate doing amateur nights because the DJ's humiliate you and the girls cheat by bringing in an entourage to win the "applause meter".

tampafldancer
09-18-2004, 10:26 PM
"I got fucking arrested at work"

at least it wasn't

"I got arrested fucking at work"


lmao ...clever..

and vanessa, im from tampa as well and i know what you are talking about! The last thing i want being a student is any type of record!

MojoJojo
09-19-2004, 09:54 AM
Cops in uniform turn me on, and since I pay them with taxes does that mean they're prostitutes?

While I realize the joke, I can't help but answer the question :) No...because you are not paying them directly...you are paying taxes and the local government handles paying them. Second, they would have to actually do something that turned you on, such as touch your leg. In that case, it would not be considered prostitution because you haven't paid them directly...although it would make a fascinating argument...but I'm fairly certain a judge would not side with you.