Are the results of a prostitution sting lawful??

Question

A friend went to the store to buy a slurpee and he noticed a lady crossing the street. After he came out of the store the woman asked him for a ride and he said he would give her ride. When she got into the car she asked him twice in idle conversation if he wanted to get a room and both times he told her no. He asked her again if she needed the ride or not and she said no and got out. He left the gas station and seconds later was pulled over by the police and taken to jail for prostitution. He was told by the police officers that the statement the undercover policewoman gave did state that he refused her twice so all he needed to do was get a lawyer and file for state's evidence and the case would be dismissed - but why take him to jail to begin with. He clearly did nothing wrong. Now he has to spend money to get a lawyer to get a case dismissed that should have never been there to begin with. And even once he gets the case dismissed it will still show on his record that the case was there. It will show dismissed but will still undoubtedly bring concern to the minds of anyone who views his criminal record as to why he had prostitution there to begin with. Is this really lawful? I believe that he has a good case to sue the police department. Are there any lawyers that can enlighten me?

Answer 1

It just goes to show you can't do something nice these days without getting screwed in the a$$ or sued.It is a ploy for the police to make money.I'm surprised the officer didn't give him the name of a good lawyer,wouldn't that have been something.

Answer 2

As you describe it, it is clearly unlawful. This is either malicious prosecution, or your friend is holding back details from you. You're right that it could be costly to set the record straight, though.

Answer 3

You're probably not getting the facts from your friend. They would not have done all that if he didn't solicit the prostitute. In some form or fashion, money was offered for some sort of sexual act. That is the only way they would have taken him in.  

Answer 4

There are exactly 2 possibilities in this case.

1.  This is the most corrupt department I have ever heard of.

2.  This story does not come close to the actual facts of the case.

Answer 5

I don't find your friend's story credible. I suspect he is omitting some facts to avoid embarrassment to himself.

Answer 6

Maybe the third time was the charm.  There is bound to be more to this story, because the police wouldn't have wasted their time in arresting him otherwise.