{"id":352117,"date":"2023-11-16T00:39:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T05:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/pimping-and-pandering-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-11-16T00:39:03","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T05:39:03","slug":"pimping-and-pandering-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/pimping-and-pandering-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pimping and Pandering Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pimping and Pandering Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Laws against pimping and pandering make encouraging or profiting from prostitution a crime. These laws focus on those who recruit or force others into sex work. Pimps operate like managers of sex workers, extracting fees from the customers’ payment for services.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Panderers bring people into sex work, often through intimidation or threats. In most states, these crimes are felonies that expose offenders to prison time.<\/p>\n

Even in Nevada, the only state in the U.S. in which prostitution is legal,\u00a0pandering is a felony<\/a>. All states punish those seeking to recruit or profit from the\u00a0prostitution<\/a>\u00a0of others. Read on to learn more about the crimes of pimping and pandering, including elements of the crimes and possible penalties.<\/p>\n

Pimping and pandering are serious criminal charges. Convictions for these crimes can have lasting\u2014even lifelong\u2014implications. If you’re\u00a0facing charges or under investigation, you can contact a defense attorney<\/a> near you to better understand your rights and legal options.<\/p>\n

The Elements of Pimping and Pandering<\/h2>\n

Federal and state laws prohibit acts consistent with pimping and pandering. The names and elements of these crimes may vary somewhat based on the jurisdiction. Some states incorporate both pimping and pandering into one cause of action.<\/p>\n

In New Jersey, for example, the crime of\u00a0promoting prostitution<\/a>\u00a0includes provisions that address pimping, pandering, patronizing a prostitute, and holding oneself out as a prostitute. In most states, these crimes are related but addressed separately.<\/p>\n

Federal law in this area derives from the Mann Act<\/a>, a law that prohibits transporting someone across state lines for prostitution or sexual exploitation. The law makes it\u00a0illegal to transport<\/a>\u00a0an individual in interstate or foreign commerce in any U.S. state or territory to engage the individual in an act of prostitution or any sexual acts that amount to a crime. Conviction can lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine.<\/p>\n

Pandering<\/h3>\n

Pandering generally requires the following\u00a0elements<\/a>:<\/p>\n