A Zumba dance instructor is now being charged with soliciting more than 100 individuals as a part of a prostitution ring. Apparently, she was also an honors student in high school, provided dance classes for local parks and recreation programs, hosted charity events and was praised as being a good mother to her 7-year old son.
The story is making national headlines, and the woman’s picture is being plastered all over the newspapers. Her alleged clientele included some prominent citizens in her community. The number of these individuals that will also be charged with engaging in prostitution has yet to be determined.
We always need to keep in mind when reading about these stories that the details may be overblown. We cannot let the media determine the outcome of any criminal prosecution in this matter. Also, we may never know the entire story as to what has occurred here.
Prosecuting attorneys have a certain amount of discretion when it comes to trying such matters in criminal court. And it is sometimes the job of criminal defense attorneys to convince these prosecutors to confine matters to the actual evidence presented, and to not be swayed by newspapers or public pressure.
Even if the charges are true, most women do not engage in prostitution because it’s the best of many available options. In other cases, women are caught up in a successive number of wrong choices because their lives have gotten out of control.
Individuals that are criminally charged are human beings, and often individuals are struggling with circumstances that are largely beyond their control.
Source: Huffington Post, “Alexis Wright, Zumba Instructor Accused of Prostitution, is Great Mom,” by David Sharp, Nov. 9, 2012
- For Colorado readers in need of advice regarding prostitution, sexual assault and other criminal charges, out website is available to provide more information.