{"id":352124,"date":"2023-08-21T16:39:30","date_gmt":"2023-08-21T21:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/prostitution.html"},"modified":"2023-08-21T16:39:30","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T21:39:30","slug":"prostitution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/prostitution.html","title":{"rendered":"Prostitution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Federal and State Charges for Prostitution<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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
\n

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

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Sometimes called "the oldest profession," prostitution is a form of sex work. It’s known by many names and exists in many forms. The word "prostitute" can refer to anyone, regardless of gender, who sells sexual acts for money. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It can include related workers such as brothel employees, escort service workers or independent internet entrepreneurs. But regardless of what form the service takes, prostitution is a crime in almost all 50 states.<\/p>\n

State laws have mostly expanded the definition to make it a crime for anyone to offer, agree to, or engage in a sexual act for compensation of any kind. This article provides an overview of federal and state charges for prostitution.<\/p>\n

Prostitution charges can lead to difficult consequences. They can leave stains on your criminal record that can follow you. If you’ve been charged with prostitution or a related crime, legal help is available. Contact a criminal defense attorney<\/a> near you to understand your charges and start building a strong defense.<\/p>\n

Legally Defining Prostitution<\/h2>\n

Broadly speaking, prostitution is defined as engaging in sexual conduct in exchange for compensation. But prostitution offenses involve other types of conduct as well. Such sexual conduct includes sexual intercourse and other types of sexual contact.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prostitution charges don’t only relate to committing acts of prostitution. They also involve promoting prostitution and lewd acts for money. You could face additional charges if the acts happen in a public place. Public lewdness or public indecency charges<\/a> often accompany such cases.<\/p>\n

To commit prostitution, a person’s conduct must meet certain requirements. You can learn more about this further down in this article.<\/p>\n

Illegal Nationwide \u2014 Except for Nevada<\/h3>\n

Prostitution is illegal in all states except\u00a0certain parts of Nevada<\/a>, where it is strictly regulated.<\/p>\n

Some\u00a0state statutes punish the act of prostitution<\/a>. Other state statutes also criminalize the act of soliciting prostitution. They may even punish arranging for prostitution and operating a house of prostitution. Many states, in their laws prohibiting prostitution, refer to \u201cpimping” and \u201cprocuring.”<\/p>\n

Who Can Face Prostitution Charges?<\/h2>\n

Depending upon applicable state law, criminal charges can apply at various stages of a typical transaction. For example, police could arrest and charge:<\/p>\n